2020/2021
You will need a first, 2:1 or 2:2 (or equivalent) to be eligible for a bursary or scholarship. If you do not have this class of degree or equivalent, you could still access tuition fee and maintenance loans to help fund your training and cover tuition fees. An overview of the bursaries or scholarships available to train in different subjects can be found below.
The financial offer for Chemistry, Languages, Maths or Physics
| Eligibility 2020/2021 1 | |||
| Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or Master’s | Early-career payments 2 | Total 2 | |
| Chemistry, Languages, Maths or Physics | £26,000 bursary | £6,000 | £32,000 |
| £28,000 scholarship 3 | £34,000 | ||
The scholarships and bursaries for other subjects
| Eligibility 2020/2021 1 | ||
| Scholarships 3 | Bursaries | |
| Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or Master’s | ||
| Computing | £28,000 | £26,000 |
| Biology | – | £26,000 |
| Classics 4 | – | £26,000 |
| Geography | £17,000 | £15,000 |
| Design and Technology | – | £15,000 |
| English | – | £12,000 |
| History, RE, Business Studies | – | £9,000 |
| Art and Design, Music | – | £9,000 |
| Primary with Maths 5 | – | £6,000 |
- Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on a fee-based teacher training course in England that leads to the award of qualified teacher status. Availability is dependent on your highest relevant academic award and the subject in which you are training to teach. To receive a bursary or scholarship you must be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria. Residents of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will need to be entitled for support as set out by your country’s student finance body (Student Finance Wales, Student Awards Agency Scotland or Student Finance NI). Both elements will be assessed by your teacher training provider. Candidates with overseas degrees, may be asked to formally recognise any overseas qualifications through UK NARIC. We can help you with this. Contact us on 0800 389 2500 and we can provide you with guidance on your equivalent qualifications and a free UK NARIC statement of comparability (this usually costs £49.50 plus VAT) once you’ve submitted your application to teacher training, if required by your training provider.
- You could receive £32k or £34k in total – £26k as a tax-free bursary or £28k scholarship with additional payments of £6k after tax once in teaching. You will need to have completed a non-salaried teacher training course and received a bursary or scholarship in the academic year 2020/21. You will receive three additional early-career payments of £2k each in your second, third and fourth year of teaching – enhancements to these payments are available if you teach in specified areas in England. You must have taught in a state-funded school in England since completing your teacher training course. View the full terms and conditions.
- Trainees in Physics, Maths, Languages, Chemistry, Geography and Computing with a 2:1 or above are able to apply for a teacher training scholarship with the appropriate professional body. You can still apply if you have a 2:2, but you will need to provide evidence of significant relevant experience. Scholarships are awarded in place of a bursary. Languages scholarships are only available if you train to teach French, German or Spanish.
- Bursaries are available to trainees on a classics course where the course is in an ancient language (Latin or Ancient Greek).
- Bursaries are available to trainees on Primary with Maths courses with at least grade B maths A level or equivalent.
You do not need to apply for a bursary. If you are enrolled on a non-salaried postgraduate course and meet the eligibility criteria, you will begin receiving payments automatically from your chosen teacher training provider when you begin your course. How you are paid will depend on the amount of financial support you receive. If you are awarded a bursary or scholarship, you will receive this in 10 equal monthly instalments from October to July.
Details of the payments are as follows:
- £6,000: £600 each month
- £9,000: £900 each month
- £12,000: £1,200 each month
- £15,000: £1,500 each month
- £20,000: £2,000 each month
- £22,000: £2,200 each month
- £26,000: £2,600 each month
- £28,000: £2,800 each month
You are advised to confirm the actual payment schedule with your teacher training provider.
These payments are not taxable, but might be included as part of your capital income if you receive state benefits. Contact your local benefits office to find out how this might affect your situation.