BCS computing teacher scholarships
For the academic year 2025-2026 a scholarship of £31,000, tax free, is available to support unsalaried trainee secondary school teachers through their year of Initial Teacher Training (ITT).
You’ll receive our support and guidance along the way, through accessing resources, free CPD webinars, a coaching programme and workshops.
You’ll enjoy two years’ free Professional (MBCS) membership.
Eligibility and entry requirements
The BCS Computing teacher training scholarships programme is a government funded financial incentive to train to teach in England. (If living in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland at the time of application you must secure a teacher training place at an institution in England. This scholarship is not available to overseas students.)
Applicants must meet the bursary eligibility criteria set out in the bursary guidance by the Department for Education:
- Intend to take up a training place on a fee based (non-salaried) secondary teaching course that leads to QTS (pre-16) in Computing / Computer Science starting in September 2025
- Hold a Computer Science or related degree with a proven or predicted grade of a 2:2 or above by September 2025
- Be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria.
The application process
Due to the level of demand for scholarships and the imminent deadline for applications, you will need to have a confirmed teacher training place for September 2025 before we can offer you an online assessment.
To start your scholarship application, you’ll need to complete an online form which enables us to check you:
1. Meet the education requirements
2. Are classed as a home student
3. Meet the criteria required to become a BCS Scholar
The personal statement section of the application gives you a chance to get across your passion for Computing and teaching, this part is important as it is the first impression we get of your application. Ensure you make full use of the word count.
Once you’ve submitted your application you’ll get a confirmation email and we’ll be in touch with you within 7 working days.
A key part of the BCS Scholarship is seeking to grow the number of specialist Computing teachers in England, and your application will need to show that you meet BCS’s subject-knowledge criteria. This means that you should possess either:
- A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (UCAS code G400)
- Another degree, and be engaged in a Computer Science Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course
- A STEM degree (i.e. in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) with significant Computing content (e.g. Electronic Engineering)
- A non-STEM degree, and have extensive professional experience in a Computing industry
Should your initial application be successful, you’ll be invited to attend an online BCS Scholarship assessment, which will involve:
- A pre-prepared 15 minute presentation - on a topic and for an age group specified by us in advance of the assessment. You’ll be presenting this as part of your online assessment to two BCS assessors
- A 35 minute interview by two BCS assessors
Both the interview and presentation will take place at the same time online using Teams.
We will assess:
- Your understanding of school educational environments and current teaching practices
- Your Computing subject knowledge and familiarity with the Computing resources available to teachers
- Your understanding of the technology sector and how it could relate to an educational environment
- Your potential for leadership and management and for professionally-developing your colleagues
- Your autonomy, influence and business skills
The BCS scholarship is not available to those wishing to follow salaried School Direct or Teach First teacher-training schemes.
BCS Scholarships are currently unavailable in the UK’s devolved nations.
The BCS Scholarship is not available for trainees who want to train to become a post-16 (Further Education) teacher with QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills) status.
If you have made a previous, unsuccessful application to receive the BCS Scholarship, your new application should not be in the same academic year.
The BCS Scholarship does not cover tuition fees, so you may need to check your eligibility for a tuition-fee loan.
Should you be unsuccessful in applying for the BCS Scholarship, you can still apply for a government bursary but you will not be able to receive both. Get into Teaching Bursaries and scholarships
Scholar stories
Don't take our word for it, let these scholars tell you about their journey. View all scholar stories
View our appeals policy for applicants who have undertaken a BCS Scholarships assessment.
