Are you ready to bring your passion for physics into the classroom and be an inspiration for the physicists of tomorrow? Can you communicate complex ideas clearly and help students learn to explore and understand the world around them?
If you become a physics teacher you can enjoy a varied, exciting and challenging career where you spark new discoveries every day and really make a difference.
Apply now
The next deadline is 23.59 on Sunday 21 June 2026.
Benefits of the scholarship programme
The IOP is awarding 175 scholarships, with multiple benefits, including:
- support to develop your physics teaching skills including online and face-to-face continuing professional development (CPD) workshops;
- subject-specific mentor available for regional groups and 1:1 sessions throughout your training and continuing support for your early career teacher (ECT) years;
- funding of £31,000 (tax free);
- the benefits of IOP membership for your training year. This includes full access to our in-house magazine Physics World, invitations to local branch online meetings and free journal downloads;
- having support to teach in low socioeconomic areas; and
- access to a community of fellow scholars, you can share ideas and draw on support.
The scholarship is open for applications whatever stage of your career you’re at – whether you are an undergraduate, a recent graduate, postgraduate, or looking for a new direction and change in your career.
Update on eligibility for IOP teacher training scholarships and bursaries (May 2026)
The Department for Education (DfE) has made a recent change to the eligibility rules for teacher training bursaries and scholarships that affects many international applicants to physics teacher training in England.
These changes came into immediate effect from 5pm on 7 May 2026, part-way through the current recruitment cycle.
Under the revised DfE rules, international candidates are now only eligible for a bursary or scholarship if they:
- are entitled to support under the student finance eligibility criteria or
- can demonstrate that they had a confirmed offer of a physics teacher training place before 5pm on 7 May 2026.
The DfE has contacted affected candidates directly to inform them of their revised eligibility status.
If you have applied for, or been awarded, an IOP teacher training scholarship this year and are an international candidate, we are currently reviewing how the DfE’s decision affects individual circumstances.
We may ask you to:
- share correspondence from the DfE confirming your eligibility status; and
- provide evidence of a teacher training offer made before 5pm on 7 May 2026, where applicable.
This will allow us to understand your position and provide the most accurate information possible about next steps.
We recognise that this is an unsettling development, particularly for candidates who were already progressing through the application process. We are working to update our guidance as quickly as possible and will contact affected applicants directly where necessary.
Why choose teaching?
Physics is the answer – you can be the catalyst for curiosity in young minds and have an unquantifiable impact for the physicists of tomorrow.
You will enjoy a meaningful job with purpose, stability and a clear path for career and personal growth. Make a real difference every day where every day is different.
A teacher's salary in England varies by location, experience, and qualifications, but the starting salary for a qualified teacher is a minimum of £32,916, with a range of £32,916 to £51,048 for experienced teachers outside of London. Salaries are higher in London, reaching up to £62,496 for experienced teachers. Additional responsibilities, such as leadership roles, can also lead to higher pay.
Video: Amy
Webinars
There are no upcoming webinars.
What routes can you take into teaching?
There are a number of ways you can train to come a teacher.
Fee-funded courses
- University-led training: An Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course at university usually takes a year full time and gets you a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification. The course includes around 24 weeks of school placements. It focuses on teaching skills and education theory.
- School-Centred Initial Teacher Training: School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) gives you practical, hands-on training delivered by experienced teachers across a network of schools.
Salaried courses
- School Direct (salaried): If you are a graduate with three or more years’ work experience and want to move into the classroom, you can apply for a paid School Direct course. (Schools may accept applications from candidates with less work experience in hard-to-fill subjects, such as physics.) You are paid a salary as an unqualified teacher, trained on the job and employed by the school once qualified.
- Apprenticeships: On a postgraduate teaching apprenticeship you spend 80% of your time on the job and 20% learning outside the classroom to build your skills and knowledge. Once you have QTS, you are assessed within three months of your newly qualified teacher year to complete your apprenticeship.
Other options
- Teach First: A charity that recruits outstanding individuals and matches them with schools in challenging circumstances, where they teach for a minimum of two years. You receive world class teaching and leadership training throughout the course. Find out more at teachfirst.org.uk.
- Now Teach: Now Teach is a route for people who have a successful career in the public or private sector and are looking to move into teaching. Find out more at nowteach.org.uk.
Apply now
The next deadline is 23.59 on Sunday 21 June 2026.
What’s the best thing about teaching physics?
Kat, IOP scholar answers:
“It’s terrific to see the Year 7 pupils growing in confidence, especially when they are successful and feel like the effort has paid off.
“I have also been so impressed with how well the Year 10 students have committed themselves to the project and the depth of the questions asked.
“The great thing about teaching sixth form is the student’s enthusiasm for physics, which leads them to think deeply and ask fantastic questions far beyond the scope of their course.”
The IOP is dedicated to closing the gap in the shortage of teachers
The support we provide for teachers is multifaceted.
- The IOP will be there with resources, Continuing Professional Development and support to guide and assist you all the way.
- Our resources include IOPSpark at spark.iop.org, which has over 2,000 teaching activities so you can find the right approach for teaching in your classroom.
- In time, you could have the opportunity to lead a physics department, become a head of year, or focus on special needs or pastoral care.
Find advice on how to get into teaching physics
Are you eligible for an IOP Teacher Training Scholarship?
Teaching physics is not just explaining the laws of nature, you’re helping to change the future of our planet. You have already decided that you want to make a difference and teach the science that powers tomorrow.
Now find out if you are eligible to apply and get the support to empower you.
Essential
- an excellent academic record featuring a UK physics or related honours degree that can be a first or 2:1 at undergraduate level OR a master’s OR a PhD (proven or predicted). In exceptional circumstances, applicants with a 2:2 and significant relevant experience will be considered. **
Desirable
- a physics A-level or equivalent (grade C or above).
The above qualifications are needed by September 2026, to secure your training place for the 2026-27 academic year in England on either;
- an eligible university-led, school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) course; or
- a school-led (fee-based, non-salaried) physics or physics with maths initial teacher training (ITT) course.
Training must be undertaken on a non-salaried physics specialist course in England resulting in Qualified Teacher Status and beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
** For degrees awarded in countries outside the UK, you will need to upload a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.
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Useful websites: funding
Teachers get paid to never stop learning. But what funding might you be entitled to during your training? Find out more at these useful websites:
If you are from outside of the UK, you could be eligible for funding during your training:
Useful websites: early career
The IOP and the Department for Education (DfE) can support both your training and early career.
An excellent resource is the DfE’s Explore Teaching Advisory service. You can register at Get into Teaching. This includes one-to-one advice on becoming a teacher and support with your application – they are invaluable resources, use them!
Choosing your course
Use the teacher training section of gov.uk/find-teacher-training-courses to find which training providers offer the course you want to take.
Also helpful is routes into teaching on the Get into Teaching site and take a look at teachfirst.org.uk and nowteach.org.uk.
Getting school experience
A great way to show your training provider that you have made the right decision to make an immeasurable impact on the physicists of tomorrow is to gain some recent in-school experience. Find out more at the School Experience site.
IOPSpark
Visit spark.iop.org for unlimited free access to more than 2,000 physics teaching resources – vital for every stage of your teaching career.
If you feel the need to brush up on your physics knowledge, take a look at BBC Bitesize.
Video: Dev
How to apply
You have chosen to enjoy a meaningful job with purpose, stability and a clear path for career and personal growth.
Before you apply, we advise making a start on your teacher training application. We recommend you use the DfE’s Find webpage to explore possible courses and then apply via the DfE’s Apply for Teacher Training service.
You should also register with the DfE’s Get into Teaching free support and advice service.
If you are applying from outside the UK, we strongly urge you to apply for a scholarship once you are in receipt of a formal offer from an ITT provider.
You do not need to pay an agent or any other third party to access a bursary or scholarship. Any agency or person offering to help you access a bursary may be fraudulent.
If you think you’re eligible for the scholarship, here’s what you will need for your application:
- Have your academic qualifications to hand
You will need to list these in your application and provide copies of certificates and transcripts. If you have an overseas degree, please obtain a statement of comparability as you will be required to upload this as part of your application. You will not be able to submit your application without uploading your statement of comparability.
You should include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees together with your school leaving qualifications in the statement. Please see the Get into Teaching website for more details and help with the cost of the statement. Further advice and guidance can be obtained through the free DfE helpline on 0800 389 2500.
- Provide contact details for a suitable referee
- Headteacher/leader at a school where you have experience; or
- Course tutor who knows you personally if you have graduated recently; or
- Suitable professional contact.
You will be asked to take a short online subject knowledge test as part of the application so make sure your subject knowledge is strong.
You can use our IOPSpark resources to help familiarise yourself with the topics covered in the school curriculum. BBC Bitesize can also provide you with some help.
“The whole process of applying was a great induction into thinking about physics as it should be taught, whether needing to formalise my thought process about getting into education, or how to construct experiments to show complicated concepts using household objects and interacting with the other applicants and staff and getting excited about the whole journey.” – David, IOP Scholar
Tips and information
We are looking for two main things in your application: evidence of your outstanding subject knowledge and evidence that you are passionate about physics and committed to a career in teaching.
1. Don’t rush your application
Give yourself sufficient time to fill in your application form. We read your application form eagerly to find out as much as possible about you. It is essential you answer the questions well, providing all the information requested and within the word limits. Spelling and grammar are also important to help your application. You can save and return to the application, so it doesn’t have to be completed in a single session.
2. Tell us why you want to teach physics and what experience you have
Use the application form to tell us exactly why you want to teach physics and what relevant skills you have. Whether it was down to an inspirational physics teacher at school or a lifelong interest in physics education, we want to know exactly what’s motivating you to start a career in the classroom.
In the personal statements section of the application, you will be asked to complete two short statements covering your motivations, skills and attributes together with details of relevant experience. Two further questions will ask you about how you would deal with certain challenges in the classroom.
A final question will ask how you would approach teaching a physics topic.
3. School experience
Some time spent in a secondary school can help to enhance your scholarship application. You can arrange this through the Get School Experience webpages. You’ll have the opportunity to tell us about your school experience and other relevant experience in your application.
“Teaching physics allows me to engage with pupils and help them solve problems, this gives me a great sense of achievement and pride.” – John, IOP Scholar
If you have a degree in a different subject such as engineering, maths, chemistry or biology, these courses may be ideal for you.
Physics Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses are available. If you feel you may need to take an SKE course, we recommend getting your teacher training application in early. Your training provider will determine if an SKE course is needed and will make you an offer conditional on its completion.
We suggest waiting until close to the end of the SKE course before submitting your IOP scholarship application, as this will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengthened subject knowledge. Please keep in touch with us through [email protected] to let us know if you are or will be undertaking an SKE course and that you intend to apply for a scholarship.
Apply now
The next deadline is 23.59 on Sunday 21 June 2026.
If your online application is shortlisted, it will be reviewed by a panel of IOP staff including experienced physics teachers. You will also be asked to complete a further online subject knowledge test based on school-level physics up to and including A-level. Successfully passing this test, the receipt of a suitable reference and gaining a recommendation from the shortlisting panel will lead to a scholarship offer.
The IOP reserves the right to request candidates attend an online interview should the panel deem this necessary.
Your questions answered
We advise you to apply once you are in receipt of a formal offer of a place on an initial teacher training (ITT) course.
The criteria for funding of scholarships matches the criteria set by the Department for Education (DfE) for all training bursary funding.
Applicants with a degree from outside the UK should contact Get into Teaching, who can advise on comparability of qualifications and can arrange for a statement of comparability once you have applied for a teacher training place. You can also speak to your chosen training provider for further advice.
You will need to upload a copy of your statement of comparability from the European Network of Information Centres (ENIC) along with copies of your degree certificates as part of your application.
Non-UK trainees should read Train to teach in England as a non-UK citizen. It is strongly advised that non-UK trainees secure an offer of a teacher training place before they apply for a scholarship as the training provider will confirm eligibility for funding.
Teacher training providers and the Get into Teaching service can both help and advise on matters of funding eligibility.
Applicants with a degree from outside the UK should contact Get into Teaching who can advise on comparability of qualifications and can arrange for a statement of comparability once you have applied for a teacher training place. You can also speak to your chosen training provider for further advice.
If you have an overseas degree, you will need to upload a copy of your statement of comparability from the European Network of Information Centres (ENIC) along with copies of your degree certificates as part of your application.
No, however, you are very unlikely to be given a place on a course unless your degree contains sufficient physics content (examples include engineering, sports science or astronomy).
If you are applying with a non-physics degree such as engineering, you will be asked to upload a transcript from your degree in order for us to assess the depth and breadth of physics studied at degree level.
Not at all, your experiences since graduating could be very valuable to becoming a teacher. Make sure you highlight your relevant transferable skills on your application. Think about how your life experiences and your career history to date can benefit students’ perception of how physics makes the world around them work. What could you bring into a classroom to help them make that ‘light bulb’ connection moment?
Yes you can, providing your predicted grade is a 2.1 or above.
No. If you are awarded a scholarship it will be instead of the government training bursary, it’s only one or the other.
Yes. The scholarship support you receive will be the same, but your payments will be pro-rated over the duration of your course.
No. You are only eligible for a scholarship if you are intending to enrol on an unsalaried training course.
No. IOP Scholarships can only be awarded to those training in England with the intention to teach in England. Please follow the links for more information if you will be training outside of England to teach in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
No. We cannot defer applications.
No. You must secure a place on a secondary teacher training course that leads to QTS.
No. You must secure a place on a secondary teacher training course that leads to QTS.
The number of scholarships is limited. We will close the application process when we have reached capacity, so we advise you to complete your teacher training and scholarship applications as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
We aim to respond to all applicants via email within four to eight weeks after the deadline has closed for the scholarship round in which you applied.
We recommend candidates to the Department for Education (DfE), which is responsible for funding the award.
If you’re enrolled on a non-salaried postgraduate course and meet the eligibility criteria, you will begin receiving payments automatically from your chosen teacher training provider when you begin your course. Get into Teaching has further details on how you will be paid.
You should receive your scholarship award in 10 equal instalments throughout your course.
No, if you complete an application and are not successful you cannot reapply in the current application year, however you are welcome to apply in any following year.
You will remain responsible for paying any course fees. You should check the payment schedule with your course provider before accepting a place on a course.
Physics teachers don’t just teach formulas – they open minds, spark curiosity and guide students towards solving real-world problems. Become an inspiration for generations to come.
We welcome applications that reflect the breadth of diversity in England. We particularly encourage applications from women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, disabled people, LGBT+ individuals and people from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they are currently underrepresented in the physics community.
So, start your application today!
Apply now
The next deadline is 23.59 on Sunday 21 June 2026.
Contact us
If you need any further information or would like an informal chat, please email us at [email protected].
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