The Government has announced new, tax-free financial incentives worth up to £31,000 to attract more graduates into teaching in key shortage subjects. The initiative, led by the Department for Education, is part of a national effort to address the ongoing shortage of qualified teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
From the 2025–26 academic year, trainee teachers in chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics will be eligible for scholarships of up to £31,000, or bursaries of £29,000, depending on their qualifications and background. The new incentives are designed to make teaching a more competitive and appealing career choice for recent graduates with specialist skills.
Funding will also be available for other subjects facing recruitment challenges, including languages, biology, design and technology, and geography, where bursaries of up to £26,000 will apply. For trainees in English, bursaries of £10,000 are on offer, and those specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) may receive £15,000 in support.
For the first time, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship routes will receive equal levels of funding as traditional initial teacher training programmes, allowing schools and training providers to offer more flexible entry paths into the profession.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the funding forms part of the government’s Plan for Change to strengthen education through specialist expertise and high-quality teaching. Early signs suggest the approach is working: there are now over 2,300 more teachers in secondary and special schools compared to last year, alongside a notable rise in the number of trainees in physics and computing.
Teaching unions have broadly welcomed the announcement but warned that long-term teacher retention still depends on addressing workload and pay conditions. Leaders have called for further investment in professional development and measures to reduce classroom stress to ensure that new entrants remain in the profession.
The bursaries and scholarships will also continue into the 2026–27 academic year, particularly for trainee teachers in the further education sector, where STEM recruitment remains an acute challenge.
The Department for Education says the funding aims to “inspire a new generation of teachers to share their expertise and shape the future,” positioning teaching as a rewarding and secure pathway for skilled graduates across the UK.