The next application deadline is 29 April 2024.
If you have a passion for chemistry and want to inspire the next generation of scientists, then a teacher training scholarship from the Royal Society of Chemistry can help you on your way.
This year we are awarding £30,000 tax-free funding to up to 150 talented individuals entering chemistry teacher training in England in the 2024/25 academic year.
Our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Scholarship scheme is run in partnership with the Department for Education.
The benefits of a scholarship from RSC
As an RSC scholar, you’ll receive both financial and practical support to help you make the most of your studies and thrive in your career. Benefits include:
- £30,000 tax-free funding from the Department for Education
- free classroom materials including books, posters and a lab coat
- mentoring by an expert chemistry teacher
- programme of Professional Development events (covering hands-on practical training)
- free online courses on key concepts in teaching chemistry
- networking opportunities with the scholar community
- opportunities to engage with the Royal Society of Chemistry beyond the scholarship year
Our scholars also get free membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry for two years. This includes:
- Education in Chemistry bimonthly magazine, with news, reviews and opinions written by teachers for teachers
- access to national and regional networks for chemistry teachers and trainee teachers
- up to a third off books from top scientific publishers
- assistance if you need it from our Chemists' Community Fund
Find out more in our upcoming webinars
Hear from teachers and previous scholars about teaching chemistry in England and have the chance to ask questions.
Get into teaching chemistry
2 May, 5-6 pm (BST)
Hear from the Department for Education and previous RSC Scholar about how to get into a career in teaching chemistry, and ask any questions you have about teaching or the RSC scholarship.
A day in the life of a chemistry teacher
14 May, 5-6 pm (BST)
Wonder what it’s really like to teach chemistry? Hear from a panel of teachers discussing how they got into the profession, what a typical day looks like, the best things about teaching and advice for those looking to become a teacher through the RSC scholarship
Hear from previous RSC scholars
The scholarship offers you 1-2-1 support from the dedicated expert and subject specialist within your field. This is something you don't get on training programmes elsewhere.
It’s really improved the future of my career, helping me to understand exactly what I need to be doing as a teacher and supporting me in my development.
Eligibility and application advice
Find out if you are eligible for our scholarship and read our advice for applicants.
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
The Royal Society of Chemistry 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 2024/25 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
- have not 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 strongly recommend that you practice for the chemistry test before you start the application process. You can find practice tests online for both pre-16 and post-16
- Use the DfE ‘find’ tool to identify all chemistry teacher training providers in your part of England
- Register with Get into Teaching to find out more about the different teacher training options
Additional information
On 13 March we held a free webinar with education experts and past scholars who explained the teacher training scholarship, and explored different routes to becoming a trained chemistry teacher. You can watch the recording below.
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:
How to apply
Applying for a scholarship from RSC is straightforward, and we offer lots of help and advice along the way. Before you begin, we recommend you read our advice to applicants.
You can apply for our scholarship before or after you have secured your teacher training place but we strongly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note that the RSC is not an ITT provider and receiving the RSC scholarship does not secure you a place with a teacher training provider. It is your responsibility to secure a training place on an eligible course. You can search all available courses in England using the find postgraduate teacher training GOV.UK service, but note that only non-salaried courses leading to QTS are compatible with the RSC scholarship.
The number of training places available each year is limited and available places are expected to fill up well in advance of courses starting for the academic year 2024/25.
Teacher training scholarships
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