Teacher Training Scholarships

Scholarship applications for the 2025/26 academic year will open on 1 December 2024. Sign up to be notified when applications open

If you have a passion for chemistry and want to inspire the next generation of scientists, then a teacher training scholarship from the 新月直播app下载 can help you on your way.

This year we are awarding £31,000 tax-free funding to up to 150 talented individuals entering chemistry teacher training in England in the 2025/26 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:

£31,000 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 新月直播app下载 beyond the scholarship year

Our scholars also get free membership of the 新月直播app下载 for two years. This includes:

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

Watch our video to find out more about scholarship benefits

You can find out more about the scholarship scheme and hear from current scholars in our short online video. Hear what mentors have to say and find out what support they provide.

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 criteria

Find out if you are eligible for our scholarship and see what we look for in a candidate.

Am I eligible?

Our teacher training scholarship scheme is a government-funded in England. Applicants must:

meet the bursary eligibility criteria as set out in the
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

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 新月直播app下载 teacher training scholarship scheme is a government-funded 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
not have previously applied for a scholarship in the same academic year

Please also visit for more information and read .

What we look for in a candidate

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

Before you apply

Applying for our scholarship is straightforward, and we offer lots of help and advice along the way. You can apply before or after you have secured your teacher training place but we strongly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible.

We recommend you read our advice to applicants
We strongly recommend that you practice for the chemistry test before you start the application process, using and
As we are not an ITT provider, receiving an 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
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 2025/26 academic year

Extra advice for overseas applicants

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 , 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

Application deadlines

Applications are now closed and will open on 1 December 2024 for the 2025/26 academic year.

There are regular deadlines to apply each month from January to July. Dates for 2025/26 academic year will be published here in early 2025. Sign up to hear when applications open.

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

Submit your application

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

Applicants will need to , 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 新月直播app下载 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 新月直播app下载 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 (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.

What happens next

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.

Student membership

See the benefits of becoming a member

Find out more about the different teacher training options

Other funding options

See other funding and grants we offer

新月直播app下载