St Peter’s
RC Sixth Form
Higher Education: Teacher Training
Various training routes into teaching are possible, including undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses and employment-based training.
The Undergraduate route
Funding for undergraduate BEd. courses is the same as for other degrees;
for example, the normal tuition fee arrangements apply. However, you might
be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ or funding under the ‘Secondary
Shortage Subject Scheme’ – see below.
The Postgraduate route
If you decide to become a teacher, you might wish to follow a postgraduate
course which leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Most postgraduate courses are for one full-time academic year. The good
news, no tuition fees.
If you are a ‘home’ student on a postgraduate course that leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) such as a PGCE, you should not have to pay a tuition fee. (A home student is someone who has lived in Britain for three years before their course starts, or a student from elsewhere in the EU.)
Students on postgraduate courses, both full time and part time, can still apply for a student loan.
The amount of loan may vary. Contact your LEA for precise information.
(back to top)
The really good news: training
salaries
If you are starting a primary or secondary postgraduate initial teacher
training course in England you will receive a training salary of £6,000.
- You can be training full time or part time.
- You can be doing modular postgraduate training.
- You will not be eligible if you:
• Don’t have ‘home’ tuition fee status
• Already have QTS or are already employed as a teacher.
This payment will not affect your eligibility for a student loan. (back to top)
Secondary Shortage Subjects
If you are a student on an Initial Teacher Training course in England
in one of the secondary shortage subjects – maths, science, modern
foreign languages, design and technology or information technology, music,
religious education and geography – you can apply for support from
the Secondary Subject Shortage Scheme (SSSS).
Trainees on KS2/3 courses in these courses are also eligible to apply.
You can be on an undergraduate or a postgraduate course (although it is unlikely that you will receive support from this scheme if you are receiving a training salary).
You can be a student from overseas. Awards are based on need, so you will not automatically be entitled to funding. Your income and your financial liabilities will be taken into account.
The maximum amount of support in any one year will be £5,000 (under 24) - £7,500 (if you are over 24) – but it is very unlikely you would receive as much as this.
A similar scheme – Priority Subject Recruitment Initiative (PSRI)
– operates in Wales. In both cases, contact individual course providers
for more information. (back to top)
Golden hellos:
Various conditions apply, but if you are eligible you will receive an
extra £4,000 when you successfully complete your induction year
and begin your second year of teaching in a maintained school. Primary
school teachers are also eligible to receive this golden hello, but you
must be a specialist in maths, science, english (including drama), modern
languages, design and technology, IT and welsh and again, various conditions
apply. You won’t have to repay either training salaries or golden
hellos.
Repayment of student loans (TTL scheme)
Subject to parliament’s approval, newly qualified teachers who begin
teaching in shortage subjects in England and Wales until June 2005, may
be eligible to have their student loans paid off by the Government (visit
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachers/loans
for more info). (back to top)
FIind out more about Teacher Training
Teacher Training Agency (TTA) Information Line:
Tel: 0845 6000991
Websites:
Teacher Training Agency - Recruitment
Department for Education and Skills - Go4itnow
Higher Education pages updated 23rdJune 2003