Becoming a teacher is rewarding experience but it doesn't have to be an expensive one. Depending on what route or subject you take, you could benefit from teaching bursaries, loans and scholarships of up to £28,000. Discover what financial support you could gain when you train to teach.
In England, the UK government sets out every year the amount available for teacher training in terms of bursaries, loans and scholarships. There are three funding types available which will depend on your circumstances.
- Tax free bursary or scholarship
- Tuition fee loan or maintenance loan
- Additional financial support if you're a parent or have a disability
What are the requirements?
Specific subject areas will benefit from increased financial offers including chemistry, languages, maths and physics. While these subjects receive the most amount of money, other subjects also receive financial incentives. Depending on what qualifications you have, the financial support you receive will vary.
If you have a first, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or masters, in some instances, you will benefit from a higher contribution towards your qualification. Based on the Department for Education's bursary and scholarship information, we've compiled what help is available for trainees for 2020/21.
| Subject | Chemistry, languages, maths or physics 2 |
| Scholarships 3 Early-career payments 2 Total2 |
£28,000 £6,000 £34,000 |
| Bursary Early-career payments 2 Total 2 | £26,000 £6,000 £32,000 |
| Subject | Computing |
| Scholarships 3 Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD |
£28,000 £26,000 |
| Subject | Geography |
| Scholarships 3 Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £17,000 £15,000 |
| Subject | Classics 4 |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £26,000 |
| Subject | Biology |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £26,000 |
| Subject | D&T |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £15,000 |
| Subject | English |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £9,000 |
| Subject | History, RE, business studies |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £9,000 |
| Subject | Art and design, music |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £9,000 |
| Subject | Primary with maths 5 |
| Bursaries Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PHD | £6,000 |
How do I qualify for financial support?
Making the decision to teach is a life changing one. Depending on your circumstances, it is important to read the small print whenever applying for financial help. Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on a fee-based arrangement .Availability is based on your highest relevant academic award and the subject you want to train in.