There are several kinds of courses you can take to become a qualified teacher, and each has its own kind of funding. The course you can take depends on the qualifications you have already. This topic contains the following:
I don’t have a UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent) – what funding can I get?
If you don’t have a UK undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) you can study for an undergraduate course, eg Bachelor of Education (BEd). In Wales you can also study for a pre-initial teacher training course called a Certificate of Higher Education Introduction to Secondary Teaching. You can also take an undergraduate degree in another subject that also qualifies you as a teacher, eg Bachelor of Arts (BA) with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), Bachelor of Science (BSc) with QTS – in Scotland these are known as ‘combined’ or ‘concurrent’ degrees.
These are undergraduate degree courses, usually four years full-time (sometimes less) or the part-time equivalent. To fund these courses you can get the same package of student support as other undergraduate students. In Scotland you can also get help from Skills Development Scotland. For more information, see the following:
I already have a UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent) – what funding can I get?
If you already have a UK undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) in any subject, you have different options depending on where and how you want to study. You can take a:
- postgraduate degree course, usually one year full-time or the part-time equivalent – Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in Scotland. In England you can also do School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT), which leads to the same qualification.
- school-centred course (in England or Wales only). You train in school, usually for one year full-time (though some schools offer part-time courses). In England you can do a School Direct course – either a School Direct Training Programme or School Direct Training Programme (salaried). In Wales you can do a Graduate Teacher Programme.
All these courses lead you to become a qualified teacher, and some SCITT and School Direct courses lead to a PGCE qualification as well.
For all these courses except the School Direct Training Programme (salaried) in England or Graduate Teacher Programme in Wales, you can get the same package of student support as undergraduate students get to cover tuition fees and living expenses. See:
If you do a School Direct Training Programme (salaried) in England or a Graduate Teacher Programme in Wales, you’re paid a salary by the school in which you train. You can’t get the standard student funding or a training bursary or incentive.
What extra government funding can I get if I already have a UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent)?
If you already have a UK undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) and want to take a course in England or Wales, in addition to the standard packages of student support, you can get extra funding as well, depending on where you choose to study.
England: if you’re studying in England, as a PGCE, SCITT or School Direct Training Programme student you may also be eligible for a training bursary or scholarship (the following figures are for 2012/2013):
- Training bursary: the Department of Education offers a tax-free bursary of up to £20,000, depending on the subject you want to teach and the degree class that you hold. You don’t need to pay it back.
- Scholarship: if you’re studying to teach physics, chemistry, computer science or mathematics, you can apply for a scholarship of £20,000 from the relevant subject association group. Each group offers a limited number of scholarships each year, and you’ll compete with other candidates to get one. You don’t need to pay the scholarship back, and you’ll also get membership offers, early career support and other benefits as well. However, if you get a scholarship you can’t get a bursary – it’s one or the other.
If you do a School Direct Training Programme, you can also get a 25 per cent premium on top of your bursary or scholarship if your training is based in a school where more than 35 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals.
You can apply online for your bursary and School Direct course directly to the Department of Education, but for other student finance (loans and grants) apply to Student Finance England.
Wales: if you’re studying in Wales, as a PGCE student you can also get an incentive to train from the Welsh Government of up to £15,000, depending on the subject you want to teach and the degree class that you hold. You don’t need to pay it back. You can also get an extra incentive of £1,000 if you already hold a degree in English, Welsh or maths. On top of this you get a tuition fee grant of up to £5,425 (these figures are for students starting in 2013/2014).
Here are some details about how to apply for postgraduate-level funding. For other student finance (loans and grants) apply to Student Finance Wales.
I speak Welsh – can I get extra funding?
Wales: if you’re eligible to get your funding from Student Finance Wales and you’re taking a course to teach secondary school children, you may be eligible for the Welsh Medium Improvement Supplement if you’re undertaking your course and training through the medium of Welsh. This is an extra grant of £1,500 (more if you’re training to teach maths, chemistry or physics), which you don’t need to pay back. This figure is for 2012/2013.
You can get more information about which courses qualify for this supplement from your initial teacher training (ITT) provider – however, it’s not yet clear whether it will be available in 2013/2014.
What if I don’t need initial teacher training but want to get Qualified Teacher Status?
England: if you’re an experienced teacher and you’ve been teaching for some time but don’t have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the initial teacher training options outlined above may not be for you. You can apply for the assessment-based route to QTS instead. The fees for this are usually covered by the Teaching Agency. See Assessment routes to achieving QTS for more information.
I’m a teacher from outside the UK – can I get government funding to train for qualified teacher status?
If you qualified as a teacher outside the UK you can train for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) while you work as a teacher, depending on where you’re working.
For more information, see I’m an international student and I want to study in the UK – what higher education funding can I get?
What other funding is available for initial teacher training?
If you’re from the UK or elsewhere and have an undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent qualification) in any subject, you can study to become a Teach First Ambassador.
This involves an intensive two year course that combines working, training and qualifying as a teacher along with leadership development training, coaching and mentoring, and a range of networking and internship opportunities. You work towards a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) throughout your first year, and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You also gain credits which you can put towards completing a Masters qualification at reduced cost.
There are no training fees for the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. You’re paid and employed by a primary or secondary school throughout the two years. The salary you get depends on the region and school in which you’re placed. In your first year you’re paid as an unqualified teacher and in your second year you’re paid as a qualified teacher.
The course also involves study over the summer months at the Summer Institute, during which accommodation, transport and food costs are covered for you.
This course is provided by the charity Teach First. See the Teach First website for more information, including eligibility and how to apply.
This information was updated in March 2013. NUS provides this information in good faith and has taken care to make sure it’s accurate. However, student finance issues can be complicated, and rules change frequently. You should contact the advice centre in your students' union, college or university for support if you’re uncertain or need more help.