Scholarships and Financial Incentives

There are three types of funding available for teacher training – depending on your circumstances, you could receive all three:

1. Tax-free bursary or scholarship
2. Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan
3. Additional financial support if you’re a parent or have a disability

Find out more information about the routes into teaching here

You may be eligible for a teaching bursary or scholarship when training to teach.

These are tax-free amounts of money you receive to train in certain subjects. You do not need to pay them back.

You’ll need a first, 2:1, 2:2 degree or a PhD or master’s degree to be eligible for a bursary, as well as meeting the bursary scheme’s individual terms and conditions.

find out about more information on bursaries

For a scholarship, each professional scholarship body sets its own criteria. These bodies include:

• the Royal Society of Chemistry (chemistry)
• the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (maths)
• the Institute of Physics (physics)

Find out more information about Mathematics Scholarships here

For information on Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarships visit  Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarships website.

Are you Eligible to apply?

To apply for a Maths Scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:

• You are eligible for student finance (please see the eligibility section of our FAQ page for more information)
• You have, or are expected to achieve:
  • A first or 2:1 undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate degree (MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD), or;
  • A 2:2 undergraduate degree, and also have significant relevant experience.
• You meet one of the following:
  • Have, or are studying for, a degree with strong mathematical content (e.g. mathematics, physics, engineering.)
  • Have a degree with strong mathematical content and will complete, or have completed, a Maths Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course of any duration prior to September 2023.
  • Have a non-mathematical degree and will complete, or have completed, a Maths SKE course of a minimum of 20 weeks in duration prior to September 2023.
  • Have a non-mathematical degree with extensive mathematical professional experience.
• Secure a training place on an eligible secondary mathematics PGCE or unsalaried School Direct course in England which leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) status for the 2023/24academic year.

Want to find out more?

Come along to one of our webinars where the Maths Scholarships Team will be live, talking about the Scheme and answering all your burning questions such as: how it is different to the government’s normal bursary for initial teacher training; what additional benefits do Maths Scholars receive as part of the Maths Scholarship; how can the Scheme help an ITT trainee during their initial teacher training year.  We will also be joined by a representative from an outstanding teacher training provider who will answer any questions concerning the process of applying to teacher training.  Please note that this advice is provided independently of any provider.

To sign up to a webinar, email scholarships@ima.org.uk with your preferred date from the list below.

More information about the Maths Scholarship can be found on our website, including full details of the application process. Follow us on social media, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. We want to help you through the process of applying, so you will also find blogs on how to submit a successful application, and writing a personal statement.  We also have blogs by our current, and past, Maths Scholars talking about their experiences as a mathematics trainee teacher or as a Maths Scholar. Sign up to our mailing list, by dropping us an email at Scholarships@ima.org.uk or through the Contact Us section of our website.

Webinars are run by the Maths Scholarship Team.  The Maths Scholarships Team will be streaming live, talking about the Scheme and answering questions such as: how it is different to the government’s normal bursary for initial teacher training; what additional benefits do Maths Scholars receive as part of the Maths Scholarship; how can the Scheme help an ITT trainee during their initial teacher training year and ECT year.