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Teaching Agency Bursaries (2012 Entry)
Please note there are significant changes to the Training Agency Bursaries for 2012 entry.
The following is a summary and we recommend you visit the TA website for further detail.
- Government Student Support Funding
- The Teaching Agency (TA) Homepage
- The TA Teacher Training Funding web pages
The bursary is available for eligible trainees on eligible courses – see table below. The value of bursary awards will vary depending on teaching subject and degree classification.
Personal Eligibility
Students starting PGCE courses in September 2012 and later must:-
Be eligible for UK student support. Directgov Student Finance information.
- Have at least a 2:2 degree classification
- Not already hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Not be employed and receiving paid teaching work when receiving a TA bursary. NB School Experience as part of your PGCE course is not paid teaching work
- Not be taking any other Initial Teacher Training course
Once you are in receipt of a TA bursary your eligibility will cease if you leave the course so payments will cease.
Teaching is a prime career choice for high-quality graduates. To encourage the best people to enter the profession, from 2012/13 trainees will need at least a 2:2 to be eligible for a training bursary.
The 2012/13 bursary scheme recognises exceptional achievement outside of degree results and follows flexibility in some cases. In exceptional circumstances, trainees may receive a higher bursary than their degree class would otherwise allow. This allows the scheme to take account of, for example, trainees with a 2:2 and a PhD or proven exceptional subject knowledge gained from another career.
The table below summarises the standard training bursaries available in 2012/13:
Training bursary 2012/13 | Physics, mathematics, chemistry, modern languages | Other priority secondary specialism's (1) and primary | General science and non-priority secondary specialisms (2) | |
| Trainee with first | £20,000 (3) | £9,000 | £0 | |
| 2:1 | £15,000 (3) | £5,000 | £0 | |
| 2:2 | £12,000 | £0 | £0 |
(1) Art and design, design and technology, economics, engineering, English, dance, drama, geography, history, information and communications technology (ICT), computer science, classics, music, biology, physical education, primary, and religious education mainstream post-graduate ITT courses attract £9,000 bursaries for trainees with a first and £5,000 for trainees with a 2:1.
(2) General science, business studies, citizenship, applied science, health and social care, leisure and tourism, media studies, psychology, social sciences (except economics) ITT courses attract no bursary.
(3) Physics trainees with a 2:1 or first are able to apply for an Institute of Physics Scholarship. The scholarship is worth £20,000. Trainees who hold the scholarship will not also be eligible for the standard TA bursary. Physics trainees who are not awarded the Institute of Physics Scholarship will continue to be eligible for the standard £20,000 bursary for those with a first, and £15,000 bursary for those with a 2:1.
Discretionary Bursary
In exceptional circumstances, trainees may receive a higher bursary than their degree class would otherwise allow. This enables the scheme to take account of, for example, trainees with a 2:2 and a PhD or proven exceptional subject knowledge gained from another career. This is essentially an upgrade of the award that your degree classification merits it is not available to students who do not hold a minimum of a 2:2 degree classification. Your eligibility for a discretionary award will be assessed as part of your enrolment process.
TA Bursary Payments Amounts and Dates
You will receive you TA bursary payments over your period of study at University in the months October to July. Payment will be paid directly into your bank account on the dates listed below
| Bursary Award | Instalments | Enhanced Payment Instalment in February and July Only |
|---|---|---|
| £5,000 | £500 | £0 |
| £9,000 | £900 | £0 |
| £12,000 | £1,200 | £0 |
| £15,000 | £1,200 | £1,500 |
| £20,000 | £1,400 | £3,000 |
Monthly bursary payments will be made on the following dates
- Wednesday 10th October 2012
- Wednesday 7th November 2012
- Friday 7th December 2012
- Monday 7th January 2013
- Thursday 7th February 2013
- Tuesday 7th March 2013
- Friday 5th April 2013
- Wednesday 8th May 2013
- Friday 7th June 2013
- Friday 5th July 2013
BSU Trainee Teacher Fund
Bath Spa University has established a fund to provide financial assistance to PGCE students who are experiencing financial hardship. In order to be eligible to apply students have to be eligible for Home or Home/EU tuition fees, undertaking a full-time or part-time PGCE, to be in receipt of their full statutory funding entitlement, (including student finance, state benefits, tax credits, DSA etc.), to have ‘Home or Home/EU’ status (to be in line with TA and SFE funding regulations. The BSU Trainee Teacher Fund will be administered by the Student Support Services.