Generous tax-free bursaries and scholarships for graduates: your path to teaching in 2025-2026 

If you're considering training to teach in the 2025-2026 academic year, the UK government is offering generous tax-free bursaries and scholarships for several high-priority subjects to help address the demand for skilled educators. These financial incentives aim to attract talented individuals to train in subjects like physics, computing, mathematics, chemistry, and languages. 

Watch this short clip to hear what inspired Mr Reci to teach Maths. 

“It is fantastic that the Government recognises the need to give talented individuals financial support whilst they train to teach. We successfully recruited a diverse and highly skilled group of future Maths teachers last year who are now benefiting from regular tax-free bursary payments, high quality training and support and a future career path with purpose” Lesley Mackenney, Head of Teach West London 

Click here to read more Teachers’ Pay and your salary potential once you qualify. 

Available funding 

Bursaries: These are tax-free and designed to support trainees during their teacher training year 

£29,000 - Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics, Physics 

£26,000 - Biology, Geography, Languages (including French, German, and Spanish) 

 

Miss Brooks shares her passion for teaching languages. 

Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) Courses 

If your degree isn't directly related to the subject you want to teach or if you've been out of education for some time, an SKE course may help you prepare. Some of these courses are funded and can bridge gaps in your knowledge, particularly for subjects like physics, chemistry, mathematics, computing, and languages. Get in touch with the Teach West London team today to find out more.  

The financial support underscores the government's commitment to strengthening STEM education and language teaching, ensuring future generations have access to high-quality instruction in these essential fields.  

Recognising the Arts 

Teach West London is passionate about supporting our partner schools to provide a broad curriculum which meets the needs of their communities. This is why we are recruiting for a wide range of secondary subjects (see here for the courses we offer). Talented individuals training to teach subjects such as Art and Design or Music can also receive a tax-free bursary of £10,000.  

Whether you're a recent graduate or considering a career change, tax-free bursaries and scholarships provide an excellent opportunity to embark on a fulfilling teaching career. 

For more details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Get Into Teaching website​. 

Read on to find out more about bursaries and scholarships: 

Eligibility for bursaries 

You do not need to apply for a bursary. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive it. 

You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages). You’ll also need at least one of the following: 

  • a bachelor’s degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher 
  • a master’s degree 
  • a PhD 
  • If your course combines 2 subjects (for example, English and history), at least 50% of your course content must be made up of the bursary subject to be eligible 

 

How bursaries are paid 

A bursary is paid over a minimum of 10 months by Teach West London (your future training provider) across the duration of your course.  

You will not need to pay tax or National Insurance on bursary payments. 

You do not have to pay a bursary back. 

Scholarships:  

Offered by subject associations, scholarships include higher financial support and often come with additional benefits such as free membership in professional organisations, resources, and networking opportunities: 

  • £31,000 - Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics, Physics  

  • £28,000 Languages: (specific to French, German, and Spanish) 

Eligibility for scholarships 

You must be eligible for student finance to receive a scholarship (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages). You’ll also need at least one of the following: 

  • a bachelor’s degree class 2:1 (honours) or higher 
  • a master’s degree 
  • a PhD 
  • If you achieved a 2:2 in your degree, you may still be eligible. You would need to show you have enough relevant experience and subject knowledge 

 

Scholarships are awarded by independent organisations which set their own assessment requirements. 

Scholarships offer more than just financial benefits. For example, they can provide professional body membership, subject-specific support, mentoring, events and classroom resources. 

How scholarships are paid 

A scholarship is paid over a minimum of 10 months by Teach West London (your future training provider) across the duration of your course.  

You will not need to pay tax or National Insurance on scholarship payments. 

You do not have to pay a scholarship back. 

How to apply for a scholarship 

You need to apply directly to the scholarship provider. Each provider sets their own application deadline and will confirm if you meet their eligibility requirements. You can out find about how to apply, deadlines and more details about each scholarship on the scholarship provider’s website: 

Summary - available postgraduate bursaries and scholarships 

ITT