Funding for initial teacher training (ITT) varies by route and may include apprenticeship levy funding, employer grants, trainee bursaries, or full Department for Education funding. Teacher apprenticeships are primarily funded through the apprenticeship levy, with employer contributions required if the school does not pay the levy. Tuition fee-based ITT applies when not employed in a school, with potential bursaries for secondary trainees. Early years ITT is fully funded by the Department for Education, with incentives for employed nursery staff and bursaries for eligible non-employed trainees.
Funding for initial teacher training (ITT) depends on your route. It may include apprenticeship levy funding, employer grants, trainee bursaries or full funding from the Department for Education.
What funding is available for teacher apprenticeships?
Primary, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and secondary teacher apprenticeships are funded through the apprenticeship levy. Most schools pay into this levy.
If your school does not pay into the levy, it must contribute towards the training cost. Salary costs are not covered.
Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for the current school contribution and training costs.
Employers of secondary teacher apprentices may be eligible for a grant. The funding available depends on the secondary subject the apprentice is studying and may change at the beginning of each academic year.
Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for the current employer grant amounts.
You can also contact Best Practice Network for the latest costs and grant amounts.
What funding is available for tuition fee-based ITT?
Primary, SEND and secondary ITT is tuition fee-based when you are not employed in a school. You can view the current tuition fees in the ITT Tuition Fee Policy.
Secondary ITT trainees who are not employed and are taking the tuition fee-based route may be eligible for a bursary. Bursary amounts may change at the beginning of each academic year.
Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for current bursary amounts.
What funding is available for early years ITT?
Early years initial teacher training (EYITT) is fully funded by the Department for Education.
If you are employed in a nursery, your nursery may be eligible for an incentive. Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for the current incentive amount.
If you are not employed and have a degree classification of 2.2 or above, you may be eligible for a bursary grant. Check the relevant Best Practice Network website page for current bursary amounts.