Best Practice Network is pleased to share details of the bursaries and scholarships available for student teachers beginning their Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT) in the 2026/27 academic year.

These financial incentives are designed to support student teachers in key subjects where expertise is most needed, offering tax-free funding while you gain the skills and experience to launch a rewarding teaching career.

Start in January 2026 and Access Higher 2025/26 Incentives!

Choose to start your Initial Teacher Training with Best Practice Network in January 2026, and you will qualify for the 2025/26 bursary and scholarship amount, which are higher in certain subjects compared to those confirmed for 2026/27. This offers an excellent opportunity to maximise your financial support while starting your journey into teaching sooner.

The January 2026 cohort is available for Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Languages and Mathematics. English and Geography will only be available from September 2026.

What are Bursaries and Scholarships?

Bursaries are tax-free payments you receive if you're training to teach certain subjects. If you're eligible for a bursary, you'll get it automatically.

Scholarships are awarded by organisations with a passion for their subject area. They combine tax-free payments with extra benefits like subject-specific support, mentoring and networking opportunities. If you're eligible, you can apply directly to the scholarship provider.

You cannot receive both a bursary and a scholarship. If you receive either a bursary or a scholarship, you do not need to pay it back. Bursaries and scholarships are not available for salaried teacher training.

Who is Eligible for ITT Bursaries?

You do not need to apply for a bursary. When you apply for Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training, Best Practice Network will check if you’re eligible. If you are, we will confirm this in writing before you start your course. You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary (unless you’re training to teach 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 

Who is Eligible for ITT Scholarships?

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

• A bachelor’s degree class 2:1 (honours) or higher (in exceptional circumstances, they may be awarded to a graduate with a 2:2 and significant relevant experience.)
• A master’s degree
• A PhD
  
  

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 are ITT Scholarships Paid?

A scholarship will be paid to you over a minimum of 10 months by Best Practice Network. We will confirm when you will get the payments and you will not need to pay tax or National Insurance on scholarship payments.

How Can I Apply for an ITT 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 find out about how to apply, deadlines and more details about each scholarship on the scholarship providers’ websites:

• The Royal Society of Chemistry (chemistry)
• BCS The Chartered Institute for IT (computing)
• British Council (languages – French, German and Spanish only)
• The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, and partners (maths) - only available for the January 2026 cohort

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship 

If you’re training via the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship route, you’ll earn a salary while working in a school and training towards Qualified Teacher Status.

Apprentices on this route are not eligible to receive bursaries or scholarships. Instead, your employing school may receive grant funding from the DfE (subject to school eligibility), paid via Best Practice Network, to help cover your salary costs.

For 2026/27, Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship grants are:

• £29,000 – Chemistry, Computing and Mathematics
• £20,000 – Languages 
• £5,000 – Biology and Geography

Want to Find Out More? Explore Teacher Training

Become a Teacher 

If you would like any more information, get in contact with us:

 Email: teach@bestpracticenet.co.uk

 Tel: 0117 920 9200