Hey future educators! Are you dreaming of shaping young minds and kickstarting an amazing teaching career? If you’re passionate about becoming a teacher and are looking for financial support, especially if you’re considering training in England, then the UK Department for Education (DfE) Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Bursary and Scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year could be your golden ticket! While this opportunity is specifically for training in England, it’s a fantastic chance for aspiring teachers to get significant funding.
The UK Department for Education offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help students with their Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in England. These aren’t just small grants; they’re substantial financial packages designed to attract talented individuals into teaching crucial subjects. Whether you’re pursuing postgraduate or undergraduate studies to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), there might be a bursary or scholarship available to cover your tuition, living costs, or provide a salary, ensuring you can focus on becoming an outstanding teacher.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for these incredible opportunities for the 2026-2027 academic year, here’s what you need to know:
Postgraduate Bursaries and Scholarships:
- You need to be on a tuition-fee-based teacher training course in England that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- Your eligibility will depend on your highest relevant academic award and the subject you want to teach.
- If you’re going for Languages or Physics, you won’t need to be eligible for UK student finance to qualify for a bursary or scholarship. For all other subjects, you generally need to be eligible for student finance.
- Applicants usually need a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, Master’s degree, or a PhD.
- Non-UK trainees have specific guidance; make sure to check the official ‘Get into Teaching’ website if you’re an international applicant!
Undergraduate Bursary:
- You could get this if you’re studying on a QTS course in secondary Mathematics or Physics.
- It’s also available for opt-in QTS courses in secondary undergraduate Mathematics, Physics, Computing, or Languages.
- The bursary is typically received in the final year of your course. If you’re on a 4-year undergraduate course leading to QTS and a Master’s, you could receive it in both your third and fourth years.
Undergraduate Veteran Teaching Bursary:
- This special bursary is for veterans who’ve left full-time employment with the British Army, Royal Air Force, or Royal Navy no more than 5 years before your course starts.
- You must enrol on an eligible QTS course in secondary Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Languages, Mathematics, or Physics.
School Direct (Salaried) Route & Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships:
These routes are a bit different! Instead of a direct bursary to you, grants are given to the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers. This funding helps contribute to your salary and training costs, meaning you get paid while you train! If you’re on a School Direct (salaried) route, you won’t be eligible for the separate bursaries or scholarships mentioned above, as your training is already supported.
What Does It Cover?
The financial support can be pretty amazing, depending on your subject and qualification level:
Postgraduate Bursaries:
- £29,000 in Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics, and Physics.
- £20,000 in Design and Technology and Languages (including ancient languages).
- £5,000 in Biology and Geography.
Postgraduate Scholarships:
These are even more generous and come with extra perks!
- £31,000 for Chemistry, Computing, and Physics.
- £22,000 for French, German, and Spanish (no other languages for scholarships).
- Beyond the money, you’ll get a package of additional benefits like membership to a professional body, subject-specialist events, mentors, resources, and networking opportunities. Remember, scholarships are awarded instead of a bursary and require a separate application and interview process.
Undergraduate Bursary:
- A fantastic £9,000 if you’re eligible.
Undergraduate Veteran Teaching Bursary:
- A massive £40,000 training bursary, paid in installments over your last two years of study.
Salaried Routes and Apprenticeships:
The grants to providers for these routes are substantial, often mirroring the bursary amounts, ensuring you receive a salary while gaining your QTS. This means you earn while you learn!
How to Apply?
Ready to jump into your teaching journey in England? Here’s how you can get started:
- For Scholarships: You need to apply directly to the relevant scholarship body. You can find all the details and application links on the official Get into Teaching website.
- For Bursaries (Postgraduate & Undergraduate): These are generally assessed as part of your application to an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course in England. The ITT provider will guide you through the process, and your eligibility for a bursary will be determined by the DfE based on your qualifications and subject choice. Your first step is to explore ITT courses and apply through the main ‘Get into Teaching’ portal.
- For Salaried Routes & Apprenticeships: You’ll apply directly to the schools or ITT providers offering these programmes. They will then manage the funding that contributes to your salary and training.
The best place to begin your exploration and find application routes for all teacher training in England is the official ‘Get into Teaching’ website. It’s your one-stop shop for course providers, eligibility, and how to start your application!
If this sounds like the right bursary for you, don’t wait — apply now and explore more amazing bursaries on Bursaries Room!
