The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)  - Chemistry scholarship

RSC Chemistry Teacher Training Scholarship

You will receive about 36,270 EUR (£31,000) tax-free for one academic year whilst training to become a chemistry teacher in England. The funding comes from the Department for Education. In addition to the grant, you will receive free teaching materials (books, posters and a lab coat), personalised mentoring from an experienced chemistry teacher, practical training days with other scholarship holders, free online courses on teaching chemistry, and a two-year free membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Mentoring means that a practising teacher will provide you with personalised support throughout your training year. The RSC is the professional body for chemists in the United Kingdom. It runs the programme in partnership with the government and awards up to 120 of these scholarships each year.

Who can apply

• What you train for: You are starting a fee-paying (unpaid) teacher training programme in England for secondary education, which leads to ‘Qualified Teacher Status’ for pupils under the age of 16, for example a PGCE or an unpaid ‘School Direct’ route.
• Timing: You have not yet started your teacher training. You must have secured a training place by September of the year you are due to start. The scholarship alone does not guarantee you a training place.
• Your subject: You hold a degree in chemistry or a related subject with a grade of 2:1 (Upper Second) or higher, or are due to obtain such a degree. A degree with a grade of 2:2 may be accepted if you have substantial relevant professional experience or a higher qualification; a course to deepen your specialist knowledge of chemistry can help to bridge any gaps in your knowledge.
• Fee status: You are considered a student liable for ‘domestic’ tuition fees, rather than an international student. EU citizens with permanent or temporary residence status, as well as Irish nationals, are also eligible.
• Age: No age restriction. People changing careers are welcome.
• Your plan: You would like to teach chemistry at state-funded schools in England.

How to apply

You apply online, providing your personal and academic details, a reference contact and written answers to three questions explaining why you are suited to a career in teaching. Application deadlines run monthly from around October to July, so you can apply at various times throughout the year. The application deadline for 2026/27 has now passed. You can express your interest in 2027/28.

How realistic are your chances?

This scheme is aimed at chemistry specialists who wish to teach in England; the pool of applicants is therefore limited to those with a sound knowledge of chemistry who are genuinely keen to teach in the classroom. With up to 120 places per year and clear criteria, a suitable candidate who meets the academic requirements and can demonstrate a genuine understanding of the teaching profession has good prospects. As application deadlines are staggered monthly, it is advantageous to apply early in the application cycle.