Funding for our NPQs

This section provides information on costs and funding options for our NPQ programmes.

Browse below to find the information you need. We'll update this page throughout the year.

Frequently asked questions

Is there DfE scholarship funding available?

Full DfE funding, with no cost to the participant, is available to staff from:

  • state-funded schools in England
  • state-funded organisations that offer 16 to 19 places in England.

In addition, early years practitioners and leaders working in the following settings in England will be eligible for scholarship funding from the DfE for the NPQEYL only:

  • Work in a state funded school in England.
  • Childcare providers registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register, providing childcare on non-domestic premises.
  • Childcare providers registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register, providing childcare on domestic premises.
  • Childminders registered on the Ofsted Early Years Register.
  • Childminders registered with an Ofsted-registered childminder agency, caring for early years children.

You can do more than one NPQ, but will only be eligible for funding for each NPQ once. If you withdraw or fail your course you cannot get funded again for the same NPQ.

Additional support for small schools

The DfE are introducing additional payments to small schools, to enable them to support their teachers and leaders to undertake NPQs. The Targeted Support Fund gives a grant payment of £200 per participant to settings with 1-600 pupils, for every teacher or leader they employ who participates in an NPQ. Organisations that are eligible for NPQ scholarships will also be eligible for targeted support funding, with the exception of non-school based early years settings (group-based providers and childminders).

Other settings eligible for scholarship funding

Organisations eligible to access scholarships also include independent special schools, virtual schools (Local Authority run organisations that support the education of children in care), hospital schools not already included in other categories of eligible organisations and young offender institutions. Applicants from these organisations who feel they should be eligible for funding should contact continuing-professional-development@digital.education.gov.uk for more information.

What are the costs of the NPQs if I don’t qualify for scholarship funding? Are there any discounts available?

If your school isn’t eligible for DfE scholarship funding, either you or your school will need to fund your NPQ programme. You’ll find the cost of each NPQ below. There are no discounts available at this time.

Programme costs

NPQ in Leading Teaching (NPQLT)  £901
NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC)   £901
NPQ in Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD)    £901
NPQ in Leading Literacy (NPQLL) £901
NPQ in Leading Primary Mathematics (NPQLPM) £901
NPQ in Senior Leadership (NPQSL)    £1,148 
NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) £1,148
NPQ in Headship (NPQH)    £1,985 
NPQ in Executive Leadership (NPQEL)    £4,099
How do I apply for DfE funding?

Your funding status is confirmed when you complete your DfE registration through GOV.UK. When you apply for an NPQ, the DfE make an automatic check to see if your school or programme is eligible for funding. Simply register for the NPQ of your choice and then complete your application with Teach First or your delivery partner.

Access to funding remains conditional on successful verification of your registration information against Teaching Regulation Agency records and DfE confirmation of school eligibility, so you must ensure that any further information supplied to Teach First or your delivery partner matches your teacher record.

Are there any discounts for Teach First ambassadors?

There is no additional discount available for Teach First ambassadors. See the DfE scholarship funding eligibility section for information on funding support available.  

Ready to apply?

Apply for an NPQ programme

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