Engineers teach physics
If you're an engineer or material scientist, an Engineers teach physics initial teacher training course could be a great start to your teaching journey. By getting into the classroom, you could use your skills and passion to inspire the next generation.
Tax-free bursaries of £29,000 or scholarships of £31,000 are available for eligible trainee physics teachers.
Engineering the future
Engineers and physicists help find solutions to some of our biggest problems. From climate change to next generation prosthetics, we need their problem-solving skills and creative thinking to help us take on some of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced.
The more great physics teachers we have in the classroom today, the more children will grow up inspired to become the physicists, engineers and physics teachers of tomorrow.
In addition to the personal rewards of teaching physics, there are practical benefits too, including:
- a competitive salary starting at £31k (or higher in London)
- a secure pension
- more holiday days than people in many other professions
- opportunities for progression
My engineering degree provided a natural transition to teaching physics and I value the way science – especially physics – teaches a clear thought process and a way to make rational sense of the world.
Engineers teach physics training programme
This programme is based on the physics initial teacher training (ITT) course, and has been developed with support from the physics and engineering community. It has been adapted to help you make the transition from engineering or material sciences to teaching physics. The course is designed to capitalise on your experience and empower you with the skills needed to become a great physics teacher.
Your training provider may offer part-time teacher training courses.
You'll also be invited to a community day and have the opportunity to network with existing physics teachers.
Find Engineers teach physics teacher training courses.
You can also search for physics teacher training courses that are not part of the Engineers teach physics training programme.
I've found the skills I learnt in engineering have stood me in good stead for a teaching career. I have never regretted my decision to go into this profession.
What you'll teach
You'll teach the national curriculum for physics, with opportunities to develop your pupils' ability to think like physicists and see physics as a solution to many challenges.
Themes you'll cover when you teach 11 to 14 year olds (key stage 3) include:
- energy
- motion and forces
- electricity and electromagnetism
- waves and matter
Explore what teaching a key stage 3 science lesson would be like by visiting the Oak National Academy website.
Themes you’ll cover when you teach 14 to 16 year olds (key stage 4) include:
- energy, forces and wave motion
- electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism
- the structure of matter
- atomic structure and space physics
Themes you’ll cover when you teach 16 to 18 year olds (key stage 5) include:
- fields, vectors and scalars
- mechanics and mechanical properties of matter
- electric circuits and waves
- matter, quantum and nuclear physics
Teaching pupils at different ages and abilities means you'll always be expanding your knowledge and approach to meet pupils' needs. Once you have qualified teacher status (QTS) you can also teach any other subject, as long as you can show you have enough expertise.
Start your journey into teaching physics
Check your qualifications
To train to teach physics in England, you'll need:
- GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science if you want to teach primary)
- a bachelor's degree in any subject
Having relevant A levels can show your subject knowledge, if you do not have a degree in physics.
Improve your subject knowledge
If your training provider thinks you need to top up your subject knowledge in physics before you become a teacher, you can do a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
There are lots of reasons why someone might need to complete an SKE course. For example, if you finished your degree more than 5 years ago or if you have an A level but not a degree in the subject you want to teach.
Find out more about subject knowledge enhancement coursesFund your teacher training
Tax-free bursaries of £29,000 or scholarships of £31,000 are available for eligible trainee physics teachers.
You can get a bursary or scholarship alongside a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan.
Even if you've had financial support for a previous course, you could still be eligible for funding to support your teacher training.
You may also be able to get extra funding and support if you're:
- a parent or carer
- disabled
- a veteran
Apply for a paid internship
If you're currently doing an undergraduate or master's degree and are interested in teaching physics, you could apply for a paid teaching internship.
The 3-week programme could help you to understand what it's really like in the classroom and get a feel for school life.
Find out more about teaching internshipsSupport with teacher training
Throughout your initial teacher training, you'll have the support of a mentor.
Your mentor will:
- guide you through your training, sharing learning and career development opportunities with you
- meet with you regularly to make sure your training is a positive experience
You'll also be part of a welcoming school community where you'll learn from fellow teachers through taught sessions, seminars and workshops.
Once you've completed your initial teacher training, you'll continue to be supported during your first 2 years of teaching. Find out what support you'll get as an early career teacher.
How we can help
If you would like more information about the course and application process, you can talk to a teacher training adviser for free. They can help you to:
- understand more about the course
- make an application
- prepare for your interview