FE Initial Teacher Education (ITE) bursary scheme

The FE Initial Teacher Education (ITT) bursary scheme is a financial incentive for new graduates training to become teachers in the further education (FE) sector. It’s similar to, but separate from, the school teacher bursary scheme.

Further education offers real job satisfaction: you help students to develop their personal skills, improve their job prospects, achieve their goals and move on. Hence it’s a very rewarding teaching option – and now, with this new bursary, it’s even more attractive.

The ITE bursary scheme is managed by the Department for Education (DfE), which also monitors the public cost of student loans accessed by trainees. Bursaries are available to trainees on the basis of their relevant qualifications or professional experience, as well as their intention to teach a priority subject in the FE sector identified by the DfE.

Bursary amounts vary depending on the subject to be taught and payments are not taxable.

Why are ITE bursaries important?

Association of Colleges deputy chief executive Kirsti Lord explained: “Supporting FE providers to recruit and retain the best possible teachers must be a top priority for a government with ambitious plans for improving technical education in this country.

A quick guide to the scheme

Which subjects does it apply to?

Bursaries apply to the following subjects (the bursary amount is correct for the 2021/22 academic year):

The ITE bursary does not apply to any subject not included above.

What period does the ITE bursary scheme cover?

The current ITE bursary scheme relates to the 2021/22 academic year and cover the duration of the duration of the trainee’s ITE programme, starting in or after September 2021, and for full-time courses finishing no later than August 2022 or August 2023 for part-time.

Do you qualify for the ITT bursary scheme?

For those seeking a career teaching students in FE in any of the eligible bursary subjects, they must meet the following criteria:

• be eligible to receive student support
• be undertaking a qualifying pre-service ITE course in England
• have gained a standard equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, as well as at least a Level 3 qualification in their subject of training, or else have gained suitable professional experience (applicants without these qualifications may be given the opportunity to show that they can meet the required standard either through an equivalence test or by offering other evidence of attainment, which will be considered
• not have been awarded a full FE ITE bursary award under a previous FE ITE programme or a full FE ITE grant for a previous qualification
• not receive a salary or other payment for teaching work associated with the FE ITE programme for which they wish to receive the bursary
• not already hold, or be eligible to receive qualified teacher status (QTS), early years teacher status (EYTS), qualified teacher learning and skills (QTLS) status or Advanced Teacher Status (ATS)
• not hold a diploma in education and training (DET), DET-compliant qualification or equivalent
• not be partaking in any other ITE course, training scheme or programme, that leads to a DET or DET-compliant qualification
• not be embarking on an apprenticeship programme

Should the pandemic mean you are unable to meet the above eligibility criteria, please email: [email protected].

Are combination courses eligible for the ITE bursary scheme?

To be eligible for the bursary, the course content must be at least 50% of the relevant bursary subject. For example, if a trainee wished to teach a course with 50% or more in English and the rest in drama, they would qualify for the full bursary of £12,000. For courses with 50% each of two qualifying bursary subjects, the trainee would be eligible for the higher bursary rate.

The subject not the qualification is key

It must be stressed that it is the subject that the trainee wishes to teach at FE level and not the qualifications they hold. For example, if a trainee with a degree in maths and relevant sector experience then trains to teach English, they will be eligible for a £12,000 English bursary, not the £26,000 maths bursary.

I have previously received an ITE bursary, can I apply again?

No, any individual who has previously received an FE ITE bursary or grant for a previous FE ITE programme or full a grant for a previous qualification is not eligible for another FE ITE bursary.

How are ITE bursaries allocated?

ITE bursaries are allocated from a set pot of money and are available on a first-come-first served basis. As it is impossible to determine how many people will apply, it is strongly advised to get your application in promptly.

The DfE explains that it will “welcome applications from everyone irrespective of background but, as ethnic minority groups are currently under-represented in the FE teaching workforce, we would encourage applications from members of these groups”.

How do I apply for an ITE bursary?

Application forms are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fe-funding-initial-teacher-education-ite-2021-to-2022

Payment cycles for the ITE bursary scheme

Bursaries are usually paid to trainees over the course of 10 equal monthly payments. For example, this would be £1,200 per month for trainees studying English and £2,600 per month for those wishing to teach physics.

Covid-19 key worker information

All FE ITE trainees will be considered key workers while the pandemic continues to disrupt normal business.

Sources/further reading:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/980339/FE_ITE_bursaries_funding_manual_2021_to_2022_academic_year.pdf

https://www.tes.com/news/ps26k-fe-teaching-bursaries-announced-ps24m-package