BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT - Computer Science scholarship

What you get

You will receive about 36,000 EUR (£31,000), tax free for one year of teacher training in 2026-2027. This funding covers one year of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) – the course you undertake to obtain a teaching qualification. In addition to the financial support, you will receive teaching materials, a coaching programme, ongoing professional development, access to an online community of scholarship holders via ‘Computing at School’, and membership of the BCS. The scholarship is administered by the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, in partnership with the UK Department for Education.

Who can apply

• What you want to become: You are training to become a secondary school IT teacher in England, teaching pupils up to the age of 16.
• Your training place: You have already been offered a place on a fee-paying (unpaid) ITT course, or are applying for one that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and starts in September 2026. Applications for this course must be made separately to a training provider; BCS does not run these courses itself.
• Your degree: You must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in 2:1 (with distinction) or higher, a Master’s degree or a PhD. If you hold a degree in 2:2 or a degree not related to computer science, you will only be considered if, after all applications from candidates with a degree in 2:1 have been assessed, there are still places available.
• Where you train: You will be undertaking your training in England. If you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, you must secure a training place at an institution in England. Students from abroad are not eligible to apply.
• Finance eligibility: You are eligible for funding under the terms and conditions of Student Finance England.

How to apply

You apply online using a form and answer the questions in detail. If you pass this first stage, you will have 10 days to submit a video presentation on a set topic. The application deadline for round 2026–2027 has now passed. Please keep an eye out for the opening of the next round.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined: you must train as a computer science teacher in England and hold a very good university degree, meaning that the pool of eligible candidates is small. As there is a nationwide shortage of computer science teachers, well-suited applicants with a 2:1 or higher have very good prospects. Applicants with a 2:2 or a degree in a subject other than computer science will only be considered if places are still available. You’ll have the best chance of success if you clearly meet the criteria and apply as soon as the application round opens.