Most non-UK citizens will not be eligible for financial support from the UK government to help with teacher training.
If one of the following applies to you, you may be able to get some support:
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you are training to teach languages or physics
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you have some type of settled status in the UK, for example, through the EU Settlement Scheme or indefinite leave to remain
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you are from Ukraine or Afghanistan and are on certain visas
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you are an Irish citizen
Support may include:
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a reduction in fees to the home fee rate paid by UK applicants (set at a maximum of £9,535) – if you’re eligible, this fee will be the same for all courses offered by training providers
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student loans to help with tuition fees and living costs
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bursaries and scholarships in the subjects offered to UK citizens
Teacher training fees
Teacher training fees for non-UK citizens vary between training providers.
Fees cost:
- an average of £15,000
- a maximum of about £36,000
Most non-UK candidates will not be eligible for financial support to help with fees.
Funding your teacher training
Student loans
You may be eligible to apply for a student loan to cover your tuition fees.
To start your application for student loans, you need to have chosen your teacher training course, but you do not need a confirmed place.
Check your eligibility and apply for student loans
Bursaries and scholarships for trainee languages and physics teachers
There are 2 types of financial support you can get if you want to train to teach languages or physics:
- bursaries worth £26,000 for languages, and £29,000 for physics
- scholarships worth £28,000 for French, German and Spanish, and £31,000 for physics
Bursaries and scholarships are tax-free payments from the UK government that are paid by your initial teacher training provider. You do not have to pay back a bursary or scholarship.
If you are going to get a bursary or scholarship, you can use this in your Student visa application as proof that you have enough money to support yourself.
The first instalment of a bursary or scholarship is usually made by late October but you should confirm payment dates with your chosen provider.
You do not need to pay an agent or any other third party to access a bursary or scholarship. Any agency or person offering to help you access a bursary may be fraudulent.
Learn more about bursaries and scholarships for physics and languages
Salaried teacher training courses
Some teacher training courses in England are salaried. This means you work and earn a salary while you train.
You will need a Skilled Worker visa if you are on a salaried training course. Your Skilled Worker visa must be sponsored by the school employing you.
Places on these courses are limited and some salaried courses also charge fees.
Find out more about salaried teacher training
Teaching apprenticeships
If you are resident in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for:
- a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship if you have a bachelor’s degree
- a teacher degree apprenticeship if you do not have a bachelor’s degree
Teaching apprenticeships allow you to earn a salary while you train.
To apply, you will need to meet both the following conditions:
- you must have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- you must have been living in the UK or the EEA for 3 or more years before the start of your apprenticeship
If you do not have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you will need to meet both the following conditions:
- you must apply for a visa or immigration status allowing you to work in the UK
- you must have been living in the UK for 3 or more years before the start of your apprenticeship
If you are resident in the UK, you may already have a visa or immigration status allowing you to work, for example, a Graduate visa.
If you need to apply for another visa, for example, a Skilled Worker visa, you will need to do this after you have been given a place on a teaching apprenticeship.
Get help
Contact the UK Council for International Student Affairs website for advice on what financial support may be available.
You may be eligible for personalised support from a teacher training adviser. They can help with your teacher training application.
To check if you are eligible for an adviser, you can call us on +44 800 389 2500. Calls will be charged at your country’s standard rate. Or you can contact us using the live chat service at the bottom of this page.
We’re available Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5:30pm (UK local time) except on bank holidays in England.
If you have general questions about the information on this page, you can email us at teach.inengland@education.gov.uk.