Funding

At Ark Teacher Training, we believe that financial concerns should never stand in the way of becoming a great teacher. 

How can I fund my training?

That’s why we offer three flexible funding routes to help support you during your training year. Whether you opt for the Postgraduate Apprenticeship route, the Postgraduate Fee-Funded route, or the School Direct (salaried) route, you’ll receive the same high-quality training and support throughout your journey.

Regardless of the route you choose, you’ll qualify with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE, and move onto the qualified teacher pay scale once you begin our Early Career Teachers (ECT) Programme.

Which Funding Route is Right for You?

Postgraduate Apprenticeship Route

The Postgraduate Apprenticeship route allows you to earn while you learn. You’ll receive a salary on the unqualified teacher pay scale from the start of your training, and your £9,250 tuition fee will be covered by your school. As a bonus, you’ll gain an additional qualification as an apprentice, with an end-point assessment after achieving QTS. This assessment involves a lesson observation and a professional discussion—by this point, you’ll be fully comfortable in the classroom!

Key Points:

• Receive a salary from day one.
• No tuition fees to pay; your school covers the cost.
• Same salary and benefits as the salaried route.
• Gain an additional qualification as an apprentice, alongside your QTS and PGCE.

The Postgraduate Apprenticeship route is ideal for those looking for salaried support and an extra qualification at the end of their training year.

Postgraduate Fee-Funded Route

This is the most popular route for recent graduates, and offers flexibility through government bursaries and student loans. If you’re passionate about teaching but not eligible for a salaried option, this route provides generous financial support.

Bursaries:

You may qualify for a tax-free bursary of up to £31,000 depending on your subject and degree class. These bursaries are available for high-demand subjects like Maths, Physics, and Chemistry, and are paid in equal monthly installments to help cover both your tuition and living expenses.

Scholarships:

If you’ve achieved a First, 2:1 degree, PhD, or Master’s, you may qualify for a tax-free scholarship to help fund your training year. Scholarships are available for select subjects and provide significant financial support—up to £31,000—alongside valuable additional benefits. If your subject isn’t listed, unfortunately, scholarships are not available at this time.

Student & Maintenance Loans:

If a bursary isn’t available for your subject, you can apply for student loans to cover the £9,250 tuition fee and access maintenance loans to support living costs during your training year. This is an excellent option for trainees who need monthly financial support while focusing on their studies.

Key Points:

• Bursaries of up to £30,000 for eligible subjects.
• Student loans available to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
• No need to repay until after you qualify and earn above a certain threshold.

School Direct (Salaried) Route

The School Direct (salaried) route is for those with full-time work experience since graduating. This highly competitive route allows you to earn a salary while you train, with your school covering the £9,250 tuition fee.

Key Points:

• Receive a salary as an unqualified teacher from the start of the programme.
• No tuition fees to pay—your school covers the cost.
• Designed for those who have been in full-time work since graduation.