Initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries and scholarships

Initial teacher training funding (ITT) is administered by Bath Spa University in accordance with criteria determined by the Department for Education (DfE).

Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on a fee-based teacher training course in England that leads to the award of qualified teacher status.

Availability is dependent on the highest relevant academic award and the ITT subject. To receive a bursary or scholarship trainees must be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria.

For more information about the initial teacher training funding please visit the following websites:

• Get Into Teaching – funding your training
• Initial teacher training funding and salary – information about funding and salaries

Eligibility is based on:

• Being eligible for UK student support, information about student finance is available on the teacher training funding website. Student support covers the student loans that you can apply for from Student Finance when studying on a PGCE course. You do have to apply for this funding to enable your eligibility to be assessed before we can consider you for funding, but you do not have to take out any loans.
• Having a relevant degree classification and/or qualification.
• Not already holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Not being employed and carrying out paid teaching work when receiving funding. (NB School Experience, which is part of your PGCE course, is not paid teaching work.)
• Not taking any other Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course.
• Agreeing to comply with the terms and conditions of the funding scheme.

As part of your enrolment you will be considered for ITT funding. The amount of funding you receive will be dependent on your:

• Course subject
• Degree qualification
• Personal eligibility - including having provided all evidence of qualifications (including GCSE equivalency).

Provided you satisfy the above eligibility you will receive an award from this scheme.

Tuition Fee Route

Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainee teachers on a fee-based teacher training course in England that leads to the award of qualified teacher status.

Availability is dependent on the highest relevant academic award and the Initial Teacher Training subject. To receive a bursary or scholarship trainees must be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria.

Find out more about the scholarships and bursaries available.

Scholarships

Graduates with a 2:1 and above, who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be inspirational teachers can apply for a scholarship with the appropriate professional body. As well as the financial award, scholars will receive a package of additional benefits provided by the professional bodies. Trainees with a 2:2 may be awarded a scholarship in exceptional circumstances if they have significant relevant experience. 

Trainees awarded a scholarship cannot receive a bursary. Trainees who aren’t awarded a scholarship are eligible for a bursary.

For the 2024/25 academic year, your ITT bursary will be paid in instalments direct into your bank account on the following dates: