The government has been warned that it risks “losing strong future teachers” because both teacher training applicants and providers are in limbo over the bursaries on offer this year.
The Department for Education is yet to publish the initial teacher training (ITT) bursaries for 2027-28, despite recruitment for potential applicants having been open for weeks.
This is creating “unnecessary uncertainty and additional workload” for ITT providers, Vlog has been told, as well as deterring aspiring teachers who cannot afford to apply without knowing the financial implications.
Delay in announcing ITT bursaries
The for teacher training opened on 6 October, but providers are still without answers on crucial funding details almost a month later.
Bursaries are focused on priority subjects where more teachers are needed, including physics, computing and mathematics.
Last year the DfE announced sharp cuts to teacher-training bursaries in a wide range of subjects for the 2026-27 academic year.
Bursaries for English, art and design, music and religious education were removed entirely, meaning that trainees in these subjects now receive no financial incentive to train.
This decision was likely taken because government estimates, published last year, suggest that the average school will not need to grow its teaching workforce for at least three years.
‘Uncertainty and additional workload’
Emma Hollis, chief executive of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT), said the lack of clarity on bursaries is frustrating for all concerned.
“The delay in confirming bursaries is causing considerable frustration for ITT providers and prospective trainees alike,” she warned.
Ms Hollis added that providers are fielding regular enquiries from applicants who “need to understand what financial support will be available before deciding whether they can afford to train”.
Some are delaying their applications, while others may be making decisions based on funding assumptions that could ultimately change, she further warned.
Providers have until 20 January 2027 to make a decision on courses that start before the end of January 2027, and 21 September 2027 for September 2027 courses.
“This creates unnecessary uncertainty and additional workload for providers, but perhaps more importantly, it risks sending the wrong message to those considering entering the teaching profession,” Ms Hollis said.
‘Significant challenges’
Her concerns were echoed by the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET), which warned that the delay is creating “significant challenges” for ITT providers and applicants.
UCET members are worried about potentially losing “strong future teachers who are being put off the profession as, in the cost-of-living crisis, they can’t accept offers without knowing the financial implications”, said executive directors Professor Stefanie Sullivan and Professor Joanna McIntyre.
They added: “The delay raises questions about how much teachers are valued if financial arrangements are not in place at their point of entry to the profession.”
Vlog understands that the DfE is working towards announcing the bursaries and other incentives for ITT “as soon as possible”.
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