Student Finance for PGCE
Similar to when you study for an undergraduate degree, on a PGCE programme you will likely be eligible for student finance support provided by the UK government. This support includes a loan which covers all of your tuition fee (£9,535 for your PGCE) as well as a maintenance loan, which takes into account your personal situation to provide the support you need to live comfortably whilst on your course. At the University of Cumbria, we have a dedicated money advice team who can provide bespoke guidance on making your PGCE student finance applications and help answer any queries.
University of Cumbria PGCE Alumni Scholarship
We offer a range of grants, scholarships, and bursaries to support low-income students, students from partnered organisations, those who go on to study a PGCE course, and more.
If you are enrolling on a university-based PGCE programme in Lancaster in January 2025 and are an alumni of the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster or Salford University, you are entitled to a £1,000 cash payment and up to £1,000 off accommodation fees.
Additionally, this scholarship is open to individuals coming from Northern Ireland who are alumni of St Mary’s University College, Belfast or Stranmillis University College, Belfast. If you are enrolling on a university-based PGCE programme in London and are an alumni of the University of Cumbria or Queen Mary’s University, you are eligible for a £1,000 cash payment and £200 cash towards travel. Find out more here.
Shortage Subjects/SKEs
Certain secondary PGCE subjects are classed as shortage subjects, this means that the UK government has identified gaps in the number of applicants training to become teachers in these subjects. The government offers tax free bursaries to attract people to train in these subject specialisms.
The DfE offers the following support for people training to be teachers for 2025-26:
- £29,000 bursaries for Chemistry, Computing, Maths and Physics.
- £26,000 bursaries for Biology, D&T, Geography and Languages.
- £10,000 bursaries for Art & Design, Music and RE.
- £5,000 bursaries for English.
You will need to have achieved a minimum of a second-class honours degree in a discipline which contains a substantial amount of the academic subject you will be teaching. However, if you would like to pursue one of the shortage subject areas, but do not hold a relevant degree, you could still enter the specialism. This route requires you to have achieved a minimum C at A-Level in the subject and the completion of a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course. SKE courses are usually completed prior to starting your PGCE and can be completed flexibly online, meaning you can complete an SKE whilst still working in your current job or completing your undergraduate degree!
SKEs run from early Spring to August each year and have various course lengths. The DfE funds SKE programmes in shortage subjects, meaning there are no fees associated with SKEs and what’s more many offer a bursary* meaning you actually benefit financially when you complete an SKE in a shortage subject.
External PGCE Scholarships and Bursaries
Beyond the PGCE funding provided by your chosen University or the Department for Education, individual subject bodies also provide initiatives to target teacher training in certain specialisms. Although you are not entitled to apply to both a DfE and an external PGCE bursary, the difference could be up to an extra £2000 over the ten-month period. From Chemistry and Maths, to Physics and IT, you could be eligible for £31,000 in tax-free bursary award whilst you train for your PGCE. Find out more:
- Royal Society of Chemistry Scholarships
- The Chartered Institute for IT Scholarships
- Mathematics Teacher Training Scholarships
- Institute of Physics Scholarships
Discover our PGCE Secondary Courses
At the University of Cumbria, we are proud that our trainee-teachers join us from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Our PGCE programmes are designed to support you however you may need, from 1-2-1 support from your personal tutor to funding and financial support. We do all we can to help you get the most out of your training and grow into a confident educator who will make a difference in the lives of children and young people.
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