Q1. When did applications to the new Teaching Bursary Scheme open for the 2023/24 academic year?
Applications for the 2023/24 academic year opened on Monday 5th June 2023.
- Please note that the Teaching Bursary Scheme replaces the old STEM Bursary Scheme.
Q2. For PGDE courses starting in August 2023, when did Bursary applications close?
Applications to the 2023/24 Teaching Bursary Scheme closed at 11.59pm on 14th September 2023.
Q3. The primary PGDE is included for the Gaelic Medium... Is the Teaching Bursary Scheme also available for primary teacher training in English Medium?
No, the Teaching Bursary Scheme is not open to those undertaking PGDE in primary education in the English Medium.
For entry to the Gaelic Medium PGDE (Primary), you must be a fluent Gaelic speaker and be able to read and write in Gaelic. This will be assessed by the university as part of your application to the PGDE.
Q4. Is the Teaching Bursary Scheme available for all secondary PGDE teaching subjects?
No, for those undertaking secondary PGDE training in the English Medium, the Teaching Bursary Scheme is ONLY available in the following subjects; Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Computing Science, Technological Education and Home Economics.
However for those looking to teach in Gaelic, the following shortage subjects are included in the Bursary for those undertaking a one-year PGDE ITE course:
- Gaelic as a Language/Subject at Secondary School Level
- Gaelic Medium across all Secondary Subjects
- Primary Education in Gaelic Medium
Q5. Does gaining a place on a PGDE course mean that I am automatically eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
Not automatically, because the eligibility criteria for the Teaching Bursary Scheme differ from the entry requirements for PGDE courses.
As such, not everyone who has been successful in gaining a place on a PGDE ITE course will be eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme.
We advise interested individuals to review the eligibility criteria of the Teaching Bursary Scheme (available on this website) before submitting an application.
Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria in full will not be eligible for the Bursary and will have their application rejected.
For more information, please refer to the Eligibility Flowchart and the Terms and Conditions.
Q6. I do not meet the eligibility criteria but would like my circumstances to be taken into consideration... Is this possible?
No, all eligibility criteria must be met in full before an award of a Teaching Bursary Scheme can be made.
Q7. I have an ordinary degree and don’t have any other university level qualifications... Am I eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
No, you would not be eligible to apply to the Teaching Bursary Scheme.
Q8. My undergraduate degree is an Ordinary and I don’t have a Masters Degree (SCQF Level 11) but I do have a Post Graduate Diploma... Am I eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
No, you would not be eligible to apply to the Teaching Bursary Scheme. We cannot accept a Post Graduate Diploma in lieu of a Masters Degree at SCQF Level 11.
If you do not hold a 1st-class or 2:1 Honours Degree, you must meet the minimum entry requirements of your chosen PGDE course, and in addition you must hold a Masters Degree which is at SCQF Level 11.
Q9. I have a conditional offer from a University... Can I apply for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
Yes, we welcome applications from individuals who meet the Teaching Bursary Scheme eligibility criteria and who hold a conditional offer of a place on the PGDE course.
Successful Bursary applicants who hold only a conditional place will be issued a conditional Teaching Bursary Scheme award.
A conditional Bursary award will be converted to a full (unconditional) Teaching Bursary Scheme award ONLY if the applicant meets the conditions of their University PGDE offer on or before the 31st December 2023.
Q10. What if the payslips I provide as part of my Employment Evidence are not in my current name?
We can use your National Insurance Number to match your payslips to your application, so in such cases the submission of payslips in a different name should not cause an issue.
However, if you have any concerns about this please email the Teaching Bursary Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Q11. I work part-time / casual hours... Does this mean that I am not eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
The Teaching Bursary Scheme is available for career changers looking to retrain as teachers in Scotland's hardest-to-fill teaching subjects.
The eligibility criteria require applicants to provide evidence that they have been in employment for a total of 36 months in the last 84 months - i.e in the 84 months immediately preceeding the date of application to the Teaching Bursary Scheme.
This is irrespective of whether an applicant has worked full-time, part-time or casual hours.
Q12. In regard to Employment Evidence, I am unsure how to satisfy the 36-out-of-84-months requirement... What should I do?
Please refer to the Employment Evidence Guidelines on this website. Those guidlines detail the evidence we require applicants to provide.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of different employment backgrounds, and as such, our guidance includes several examples to support applicants with complex employment backgrounds and employment history.
Q13. In the last 84 months, I had a period of time being on furlough... Can this count towards employment evidence?
Yes, we can accept evidence of furlough towards employment evidence.
Q14. I am self-employed... Am I able to apply to the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
The Teaching Bursary Scheme is for career changers, and those who are self-employed are also able to apply.
We can accept periods of self-employment towards the employment criteria, provided that you have been registered as self-employed with HMRC for the periods in question.
In addition, self-employed applicants must provide evidence of work undertaken (e.g. contracts, invoices) to demonstrate they have been in paid employment for 36 months in the last 84 months.
Q15. How and when are Bursary payments made?
Payments are made directly from the university, starting at the end of September 2023.
If your application is successful, university staff will contact you to make payment arrangements.
Q16. Where can I find out more about how to train as a teacher in Scotland?
More information on a teaching career in Scotland can be found at:
- Careers webservice with general information about becoming a teacher.
- ... includes contact details of your local careers centre should you wish to make an appointment with a careers adviser to discuss your career ideas.
- ... Advisers won’t be in a position to answer specific entry qualification questions but can offer careers guidance and advice.
- Useful website with information about becoming a teacher in Scotland.
- The website of the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
gaidhlig.scot/en/education/latest-information
- Information from Bòrd na Gàidhlig on routes into Gaelic Teaching.
Q17. Where can I find out more about support available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)?
For more information on tuition fees or to make an application for fee payment, visit www.saas.gov.uk.
Q18. I graduated from a full-time 4-year undergraduate course in 2021... Am I eligible?
No, your full-time education must have completed no later than 30th September 2020, other than exceptions detailed in 1.1.5 of the Terms and Conditions.
Q19. I graduated in 2016 and recently completed a one-year full-time Masters Degree from 2021 to 2022... Am I eligible?
Yes, because you only briefly returned to full-time education and your full-time course did not exceed 12 months as detailed in 1.1.5 of the Terms and Conditions.
But please note that you must also meet the other eligibility criteria and the Terms and Conditions.
Q20. I graduated in July 2020 and then went on to complete a one year full time Post Graduate Diploma from September 2020-September 2021... Am I eligible?
No, because you completed a full-time education course in 2020 and then started a further full-time course within 12 months of your 2020 course.
This would be deemed a continuation of full-time education and therefore means you are ineligible.
Q21. I graduated in 2020 and then completed a 4-month full-time top up course to allow me entry into the PGDE... Am I eligible?
Yes, we would not consider a course of 7 months or less as full-time education, but please note that you must also meet the other eligibility criteria and the Terms and Conditions.
Q22. I have worked abroad... Can I use this towards my required 36 months employment evidence?
Yes, provided it clearly demonstrates your paid employment.
Q23. My PGDE will be in dual teaching subjects... Can I apply for the Bursary?
Yes, provided that at least one of the subjects is eligible for the Teaching Bursary.
In addition, you must complete your probationary period teaching an eligible subject. For example, if your dual subjects were Chemistry and Biology, you would be required to teach Chemistry for the duration of your probationary period.
Q24. Am I able to apply for hardship funding if I am eligible for the Teaching Bursary Scheme?
Recipients of the Teaching Bursary Scheme are not excluded from applying for a financial hardship fund, though it would be for the individual to check the eligibility criteria of any other sources of funding and ensure that they disclose receipt of any Teaching Bursary Scheme payments if required by the hardship fund provider.
Q25. How quickly do I need to send in my evidence of Bursary Scheme eligibility?
We send all new applicants a welcome email and ask that evidence is sent back to us within 5 working days of receipt of the welcome email.
We reserve the right to close off an application should an applicant disengage from the application process. In such cases, a previous applicant would be able to reapply with a new application as long as the Bursary remains open for new applications.
Q26. I am looking to apply for Maths in the Gaelic Medium but I am not sure how to complete the Application form... What should I do?
Please select `Gaelic Medium across all Secondary Subjects` from the drop-down menu.
Q27. What if I am approved for the Bursary to teach a Secondary School subject in Gaelic Medium but then wish to change to English medium... Is that allowed?
Only if the Secondary School subject in question is eligible for Teaching Bursary funding: one of Maths, Computing Science, Technological Education, Physics, Chemistry or Home Economics.
Q28. What if I am approved for the Bursary to teach Primary Education in Gaelic Medium but then wish to change to Primary Education in English medium... Is that allowed?
No, that would not be allowed.
Q29. Can I receive the Teaching Bursary for a PGDE in the Gaelic Medium and then complete my required probationary period in English Medium?
No, you must complete the probationary period in Gaelic Medium Education.
