Teacher training scholarships

Our teacher training scholarship scheme is a government-funded financial incentive to train to teach in England. Applicants must:

• meet the bursary eligibility criteria as set out in the Department for Education’s Teaching and Leadership’s bursary guidance
• intend to take up a training place on a fee-based (non-salaried) secondary teaching course that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (pre-16),  to receive scholarship funding and you are not eligible for funding if you plan to take up a place on a QTLS course
• Find a Chemistry ITT course in England for the 2025/26 academic year
• hold chemistry or related degree with a proven or predicted grade of 2:1 or above, in exceptional circumstances, we may consider graduates with a 2:2 and significant relevant experience
• be classified as a 'home fee' student. The Royal Society of Chemistry teacher training scholarship scheme is a government-funded financial incentive to train to teach in England. Students with an 'overseas fee' status are not eligible to apply
• be a student eligible to receive grants and loans towards tuition fees or living costs as set out in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011
• not have previously applied for a scholarship in the same academic year

Please also visit Get Into Teaching for more information and read the full details of eligibility for scholarships.

We welcome applications from those exploring a career change, as we believe your experiences since graduating could be valuable to becoming a teacher.

Throughout the application process, we look for the following in candidates:

• an excellent understanding of chemistry
• an appreciation of the importance of chemistry education for learners and society
• a realistic understanding of teaching as a career
• a willingness to engage in reflective professional development
• a committed intention to teach in state-funded schools in England, once qualified
• effective interpersonal skills (including communication and skills for productive working relationships)
• the empathy, respect and humility needed to relate well to pupils, colleagues and parents/guardians
• an ability to explain complex chemistry ideas effectively for secondary school pupils
• an ability to inspire secondary school pupils to take an interest in chemistry

Applicants will only be eligible for an ITT bursary or scholarship if they’re entitled to ‘home fee’ status and financial support under the student finance criteria.

EU nationals resident in the UK before the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and who qualify for pre-settled status or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, will continue to be eligible for home fee status, student financial support and ITT bursaries/scholarships. This will be on a similar basis to domestic students, subject to meeting the usual residence requirements. You can contact Student Finance England to check your eligibility.

You may also find the following links useful:

Train to teach in England as a non-UK citizen

Studying in the UK: guidance for EU students

There are regular deadlines to apply each month from January to July. The next rolling application deadline is Tuesday, 27 May 2025.

The number of scholarships is limited. We will close the application process when we have reached capacity, so we advise you to complete your scholarship application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that if you’re unsuccessful at any stage, you cannot reapply in the current application year.

Applicants will need to complete our online application, which requires:

• personal details, including academic background and qualification, and contact details for someone who has agreed to provide a reference for you
• a personal statement that demonstrates why you think you should be awarded a Royal Society of Chemistry Teacher Training Scholarship (1000 words max). Please give specific examples, and refer back to what we look for in the candidates' section. You will need to cover:
  • why you want to be a chemistry teacher
  • what skills and experience you have that would make you an exceptional chemistry teacher
  • what experience you have with school-age people this could be through employment, voluntary work or hobbies
  • how you think the Royal Society of Chemistry scholarship will benefit you

• a chemistry subject knowledge check with fifteen multiple-choice questions

Applicants with an international degree will also need to upload documentary evidence from UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre) confirming the degree is comparable to a UK Bachelor's degree. Guidance is available from the DfE’s helpline on 0800 389 2500.

Online applications will be shortlisted and invited to complete an in-depth online subject knowledge test. Questions are written in the exam format and cover topics generally taught at GCSE and A-level in England.

Successful candidates will then be invited to an online interview.