Funding and training options
There are many ways to fund your move into teaching. Here we’ll try to explain them as simply as possible.
Remember, if you need some guidance at any point you can always contact one of our specialists.
On this page
Student finance
Student finance is often the simplest way to gain funding for a teaching qualification course.This option is only available for courses undertaken before you start as a teacher. Loans are paid back once you have started earning.
This loan is paid back once you’ve started earning in your new role. If you have had a student loan in the past it is likely you will still be eligible for a student loan to study for a Further Education (FE) teaching qualification.
Bursaries
A bursary is a sum of money given to someone so they can access education or training. Unlike a loan, a bursary does not need to be paid back.
Teaching one of the following priority subjects could make you eligible for a bursary. In the academic year 2024 to 2025 (scheme now closed), bursaries between £15,000 and £30,000 were offered. This page will be updated with details of future schemes in due course.
The bursary could be to pay for training or support before your transition into a new career. Particularly if it means taking a break from work or reducing your work hours and income to do so.
Subjects (academic year 2024 to 2025) | Bursary |
|---|---|
computing | £30,000 |
engineering or manufacturing | £30,000 |
mathematics | £30,000 |
science, including biology, chemistry, or physics | £30,000 |
English (capped at 100 places) | £15,000 |
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) | £15,000 |
Training routes
There are a few different training routes that you can complete to support you to teach in Further Education:
Higher education courses
FE qualifications can be completed as part of a higher education course, such as:
- the Certificate in Education (Level 5)
- Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (Level 6)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (Level 7)
- Postgraduate diploma in Education (Level 7)
Teaching qualifications can be done as a:
- full-time course
- part-time course
- training whilst on the job or before you apply
What is Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status?
QTLS is a professional status for people working in Further Education, it is optional and is managed by the Society for Education and Training.
We recommend talking to your potential employer, or looking at job specifications to see if it is a requirement for your role.
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