PGCE Funding

katskorner

Hi. I am thinking of returning to University to complete a one-year (or maybe two-year part time) PGCE course with QTS - should have done it after my degree ten years ago but opted to work instead.

My chosen institution is in my home town and so I will not have to worry about living expenses. I will need childcare though for two tiny bods and I have no idea whether there is any help available for this. Does anyone have any ideas where I should look or what might be available? We don't qualify for any benefits so that is a dead route.

Also, the Uni says there are govenrment training bursaries available for £6000 for PGCE students and that the TTA pays the course fees. How do I find out more about these and apply?

Thanks in advance for any help.

saintstreaky

Hi Katskorner

What subject are you doing? Because it will make a difference (next year) to the bursary you get. From 2006 you will get £9000 for the 'shortage subjects', £6000 for all others. You will also be entitled to take out a student loan.

For more info see

http://www.tda.gov.uk/Home/Recruit/thetrainingprocess/coursefunding.aspx

I don't know of any specific funding for childcare, though it might be worth seeing whether the university has a creche that's subsidised for students. If it does, and you want to use it, get your name down - they're usually oversubscribed. However, bear in mind that you will spend a lot of time in school, so unless you live really close to the uni that's probably not the best place.

The bad news: as I understand it, from 2006 PGCE students will also be charged 'top-up fees' (like undergraduate students) of £3000, payable once you've completed the course and are earning. Some of this (I believe £1200) is met by your LEA, and another portion of it is means-tested. However, you will certainly be charged some.

See e.g. http://www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/pg/pgfees/pgcefees/

IMO this is a scandal, and (funnily enough!) it hasn't been well publicised.

Hope this helps.

Richard

oldmotherreilly

Some localised PGCE courses are being offered next year (Sept 2006) without the tuition fees (primary school teaching in Brentwood, Essex-a bit far for you I think!) There is one near me that is not linked to a university who are not charging the extra so it would be a good idea to trawl through all the local ones to check out their position regarding fees. It does seem to be the ones that are linked to universities but not actually run be them that are offering it at no cost. Don't forget that there is also the GTP which is where they actually employ you as an unqualified teacher for a year and then at the end of the year (as long as the school/university they are linked to say you have been successful) you are awarded the QTS. If you go down this route then you can claim for the childcare through tax credits (not all of it but a help towards the fees).

tjohn

Does anyone know whether top-up fees apply to student nurses?

saintstreaky

As far as I'm aware, the NHS will continue to pay the tuition fees for (eligible, i.e. most UK) nursing Diploma students, along with paying students a bursary.

Arrangements for nursing degree students may vary, but generally it seems arrangements are in place so you wouldn't have to pay fees.

See e.g.

http://www.soton.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2006/nursing.html

zeddy_2

Hi,

I too have applied for a PGCE to start next next September. Does anyone happen to know if you are eligible for a Student loan as well as the 6k bursary? When I did my degree I got a student loan of £2.5k every year.

Thanks.

katskorner

zeddy wrote:

Hi,

I too have applied for a PGCE to start next next September. Does anyone happen to know if you are eligible for a Student loan as well as the 6k bursary? When I did my degree I got a student loan of £2.5k every year.

Thanks.

Yes, in the literature I received, it said I could apply for a student loan too.

elisebutt65

I've been checking into this as I'm in my 2nd yr at uni and want to do the HE/FE PGCE. My LEA say that in 2008 (probably - can't say for definite) that They will do a loan for the £3000 fees and give a £6000 bursary/grant that isn't taken into consideration for benefits (phew - can get HB as well) and also can get the CCG(ChildCare grant).

My main problem is that i live about at least hour away from my nearest Uni's that do it - UCE and Wolverhampton so will face the logisitics of getting the kids to school and getting into Uni. I have to get the 07.43 train and the earliest breakfast club is 07.45. Looks like BF is going to be called out to help again!

katskorner

elisebutt65 wrote:

I've been checking into this as I'm in my 2nd yr at uni and want to do the HE/FE PGCE. My LEA say that in 2008 (probably - can't say for definite) that They will do a loan for the £3000 fees and give a £6000 bursary/grant that isn't taken into consideration for benefits (phew - can get HB as well) and also can get the CCG(ChildCare grant).

My main problem is that i live about at least hour away from my nearest Uni's that do it - UCE and Wolverhampton so will face the logisitics of getting the kids to school and getting into Uni. I have to get the 07.43 train and the earliest breakfast club is 07.45. Looks like BF is going to be called out to help again!

Is Worcester no good for you either? Just wondering as they do good courses.

elisebutt65

LOL - That's even further as I live in leamington spa

katskorner

OK fair enough - only the last time I went to Leamington it didn't take an hour but I guess rush hour would affect that! I have no idea how long trains take as I don't use them often.