Updated October 2025 - United Teaching
A big part of choosing your teacher training programme is understanding the funding options available. Whether you’re ready to become a teacher or just exploring how to get into teaching, this guide explains how you can fund your teacher training with United Teaching in 2026, helping you make an informed and confident decision.
Salaried teacher training - earn while you learn
- Earn an unqualified teacher’s salary
- Tuition fees covered
- Highly competitive
On our salaried teacher training route, you’ll earn while you learn by receiving an unqualified teacher’s salary from day one while you train in the classroom.
Our salaried vacancies are highly competitive and depend on availability in your subject. To give yourself the best chance of securing a place, apply early with strong academic qualifications and relevant classroom experience.
You will earn a minimum salary of £22,601, rising to £28,343 in London. Salaries vary by subject and school location.
Your tuition fees are fully covered, meaning you can train to teach without taking on student debt.
Tip: Check the national teacher pay scales to see the latest regional salary bands.
Self-fund your teacher training
- Unpaid training
- Tuition fees: £9,250
- Bursaries and scholarships available
If you choose our self-funded teacher training route, you won’t receive a salary, but there’s plenty of support to help you cover the costs of becoming a teacher.
You can apply for a tuition fee loan (up to £9,250) and a maintenance loan to help with living expenses. In addition, bursaries and scholarships are available in selected subjects, offering generous, tax-free financial support that you don’t need to repay.
Use the student finance calculator.
Receive a teacher training bursary
- Tax-free
- No application required
- Does not need to be paid back
A teacher training bursary is a tax-free payment that supports trainees in key subjects. You’ll be automatically assessed for eligibility, there’s no separate application.
To qualify, you’ll need a 2:2 degree or higher, a Master’s, or a PhD, and you must meet the bursary scheme’s terms and conditions.
For courses starting in September 2026, bursary amounts are:
| Subject |
Bursary amount |
| Physics |
£29,000 |
| Chemistry |
£29,000 |
| Maths |
£29,000 |
| Modern Foreign Languages (French/Spanish/German) |
£20,000 |
| Design & Technology |
£20,000 |
| Geography |
£5,000 |
| Biology |
£5,000 |
These teacher training bursaries are funded by the Department for Education and are designed to attract talented graduates into teaching.
Apply for a teacher training scholarship
- Tax-free
- Up to £31,000 available
- Additional benefits
A teacher training scholarship provides financial support for trainees in key subjects along with professional recognition and extra benefits such as access to specialist events, mentoring, and free membership of the awarding body.
As with bursaries, scholarships don’t need to be paid back. To be eligible, you’ll need at least a 2:1 degree and must meet the criteria set by the awarding institution.
Subjects offering scholarships for 2026 entry include:
| Subject |
Scholarship amount |
| Physics |
£31,000 |
| Chemistry |
£31,000 |
| Modern Foreign Languages (French/Spanish) |
£22,000 |
These scholarships are awarded by organisations such as the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and British Council. Each has its own application process and application deadlines, so apply directly through their websites.
“The scholarship provided additional CPD sessions which were fantastic. I also had access to their resources and a free two-year membership.”
Elizabeth, United Teaching graduate and former Chemistry scholar
A couple of clarifications
- You can’t receive both a bursary and a scholarship
- Bursaries and scholarships are not available for salaried or Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship routes.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll receive the same high-quality, Ofsted Outstanding teacher training with United Teaching. Our programme is designed to develop confident, skilled teachers - whatever your funding path.
If you’re unsure which route is right for you, contact our team. We’re here to help you explore your options and find the best route to get into teaching and start your career in the classroom.