Teacher Training Courses

This document outlines the situation regarding tuition fees, what you can expect to pay and what support is available through scholarships and bursaries.

Tuition fees

PGCE teacher training programmes are covered under the new fee scheme. The University of Southampton will charge Home/EU postgraduate students who are starting full-time teacher training courses regardless of whether enrolling immediately following a degree course or at a later stage.

Home/EU students are entitled to a student loan for the course. This will pay for the fees up front. Alternatively if you wish to pay the fees yourself you are able to do so.

The cost of the fees will become part of a loan which you will begin paying back when working and earning more than £15,000 per annum. In effect, the more you earn, the more you pay back.

As a student, all UK and EU residents studying in higher education are entitled to a student loan. There are two types of loan available

a)a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees which your course charges
b)a maintenance loan to cover living expenses

If you are taking out a student loan, be aware this will not be paid to you until you have fully enrolled and attended university induction in September.

UK-based

If you are normally resident in England or Wales you will be eligible for a new means-tested £2,765 maintenance grant. For the PGCE, however, the first £1,230 will not be means-tested (i.e. you are eligible for a minimum of £1,230 no matter what your household income is. The grant is not a loan and therefore does not have to be repaid.)

The remaining £1,535 is dependent on your household income. How much a student will get will depend on their income and that of their household. If that income is

£1910 or less they will receive the full £2,765 grant.
A partial grant will be payable where household income is between £17,911 and £38,330.

Home students need to contact their Local Authority or Children's Services Department (formerly known as the Local Education Authority) for details about applying for these loans and grant.

For other general enquiries about training to teach please contact the Teacher Information Line Tel: 0845 600 0991

EU-based

If you are normally resident in the European Union you may be entitled to some financial help. You need to check the regulations at www.direct.gov.uk or contact the EU Customer Services Team at (+44) (0) 141 243 3570 or EU_Team@slc.co.uk.

TDA Training Bursary

For 2008 entry the Training and Development Agency [TDA] for schools has set the incentives for graduates who are following PGCE courses to be as follows:

Maths and Science students: £9000 bursary plus a £5000 golden hello after successfully completing their induction period

Other secondary shortage subjects: £9,000 bursary plus £2,500 golden hello

Secondary non-shortage subjects will continue to receive a £6000 bursary only. This includes English, Geography, History and PE.

Golden Hellos

Golden hellos are available to eligible Newly Qualified Teachers who have trained to teach English (including drama); information and communications technology; design and technology; modern foreign languages; religious education; music; mathematics; or science.