For many, becoming a teacher is a golden opportunity to change lives and start a rewarding career in a sector people love. However, without knowing how to fund teacher training through bursaries, loans, and grants, it may seem like an unobtainable dream. In our latest blog post, we explore the funding options for teacher training to ensure you can turn your ambition into a reality.
If you are considering becoming a teacher, funding will often be the first-place you look to see if you can afford it. A tuition fee and maintenance loan are available to everyone. The information provided in this blog is for the current academic year 2022/23.
The basics
Those exploring their options can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 to cover your teacher training. This means you will not need to pay any course fees upfront. To support you during your training, a maintenance loan of up to £12,667 can be applied for too.
Additional financial support in the shape of teaching bursaries and scholarships are available for specific subjects. To see what you are entitled to, use the government's finance calculator to see what you could claim.
Teaching bursaries and scholarships
For those who want to teach a specific subject, you may be eligible for a teaching bursary or scholarship. These are tax-free amounts of money that do not need to be paid back.
Scholarships are offered by independent institutions. The requirements vary and will have specific eligibility criteria set against them. You will need to apply through the relevant scholarship body.
If you are eligible for a bursary, you do not need to apply for it as you'll automatically receive it.
Undergraduate bursaries
If you are interested in completing a secondary maths or physics course that leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), you might be eligible for a bursary of £9,000.
This may also apply if you do an opt-in QTS course in secondary computing, languages, mathematics, or physics. This is where you start a standard undergraduate degree but then opt-in to initial teacher training to get QTS.
The amount you receive depends on the year that you start your QTS course. You do not get a bursary in every year of an undergraduate course. Depending on the type of course you do, you may get the bursary in your final year or final two years.
Post-graduate bursaries and scholarships
If you are about to begin postgraduate study in the following subject areas, you will be eligible for either a bursary or scholarship. You cannot receive both. To be eligible for a bursary, you'll need at least one of the following:
- a bachelor's degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher
- a master's degree
- a PhD
You'll also need to meet the bursary scheme's individual terms and conditions. The table below details what you may receive:
| Subject | Bursary | Scholarship |
| Biology | £10,000 | |
| Chemistry | £24,000 | £26,000 |
| Computing | £24,000 | |
| Design and technology | £15,000 | |
| Geography | £15,000 | |
| Languages | £15,000 | |
| Maths | £24,000 | £26,000 |
| Physics | £24,000 | £26,000 |
Your next steps
The Teach Portsmouth website is the perfect resource for those interested in having a teaching career in the city. If you are still considering your options, look at our training page to view providers and routes into teaching.