Equality Impact Assessment for Teaching Bursary Scheme in Scotland

Background

The former Teaching Bursary scheme in Scotland awarded 112 bursaries of £15,000 each to encourage career transitions for individuals pursuing a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) in an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course, which qualifies them for registered teacher status in the most challenging teaching subjects.

For 2026, the bursary payment has been decreased to £12,500, enabling a broader range of individuals, including those changing careers, to take advantage of the scheme. This reduction in payment has resulted in an increase in the total number of available bursaries to 128.

Applicants need to hold a 2.2 degree or meet the minimum Initial Teacher Education (ITE) entry requirement with a relevant master’s qualification, the content of which would make them suitable to teach their chosen bursary-eligible teaching subject.

Including exceptions, applicants ordinarily need to have been out of full-time education since 30th September 2024.

Applicants must have an offer of a place on a PGDE ITE programme at a Scottish university before applying.

Normal entry requirements for PGDE ITE also apply.

For the Gaelic Education courses, individuals must be a fluent speaker and able to read and write in Gaelic.