2021/2022 teacher training bursaries and scholarships
Every year, the Department for Education sets out the amount available for post graduate teacher training courses.
Our latest article provides an update on financial incentives available to support teacher training courses starting in September 2021.
In a previous article, we looked at teaching bursaries - what financial support is available. It outlined scholarships, bursaries and loans for people who were starting teacher training in 2020.
The Department for Education has now released details of the financial information for September 2021.
What financial support is available?
The type and amount of financial support you could receive will depend on your circumstances and also the subject you are looking to teach.
There are three types of funding available that can help you train to teach:
- Tax free bursary or scholarship
- Tuition fee loan or maintenance loan
- Additional financial support if you're a parent, have an adult dependant or have a disability
Bursaries and scholarships
Based on the Department for Education's bursary and scholarship guidance, we've put together information on what help might be available to post graduate trainees in England who are starting teacher training in 20211. (Please refer to the Department for Education's terms and conditions which details eligibility criteria).
| Subject | Bursary2 | Scholarship3 |
| Chemistry Computing |
£24,000 | £26,000 |
| Classics
Languages | £10,000 | N/A |
| Biology | £7,000 | N/A |
Department for Education's terms and conditions
- Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on a tuition 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.
- Bursaries are available to trainees with a first, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PhD.
- Trainees in chemistry, computing, maths and physics are able to apply for a teacher training scholarship with the appropriate professional body. Scholarships are awarded in place of a bursary. Each of the professional scholarship bodies sets its own eligibility criteria. Scholarships are awarded in place of a bursary.
Can I apply for a scholarship and bursary?
The £26,000 scholarship in chemistry, computing, maths and physics is awarded to eligible applicants in place of a bursary.
You can find information on scholarship eligibility on the get into teaching website. Their dedicated scholarship page details the eligibility criteria that has been set by the relevant awarding professional body.
What teaching bursaries are available for courses stating in 2021?
The table above shows what tax-free bursaries are being offered by the Department for Education for eligible trainees with a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master's or PhD to help with teacher training costs in England.
Where can I find out about the availability of funding?
The financial support you could receive will depend on your circumstances and also the subject you are looking to teach - it is important to read the small print whenever applying for financial help and double check the terms and conditions.
When you visit the get into teaching website, you will be able to find details on funding availability by subject. You'll see the amount of financial support you could receive along with details on eligibility on a subject by subject basis.
You can also find details on undergraduate funding and salaried teacher training courses.
Not quite ready to apply just yet?
If you're still considering your route into teaching and are not quite ready to apply just yet, why not keep in contact with Teach Portsmouth?
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Sarah Lee