Education research

Our Education Research funding supports a limited number of scholarships for practising science teachers to undertake master’s research. The research should contribute to the development of practical solutions to support physics teaching or to help teachers build pedagogical knowledge that will improve access and engagement to physics teaching and learning across the sector. Teachers can apply for scholarships of 50 per cent of fees for part-time master’s courses and applications can be made before or after you have a place confirmed on your chosen course.

Eligibility for master’s scholarships

• Applicants must be practising teachers who intend to continue teaching throughout and after their study.
• Applicants must be teaching in a state school in England.
• The course must be part-time to enable applicants to continue teaching alongside their study.
• The study must relate directly to the teaching and learning of physics (which includes the training and professional development of teachers of physics).

You are not eligible to apply for funding if:

• You teach in an independent school
• You have already started your course
• You have already completed a master’s

Priority will be given to:

• Teachers teaching in school 0.6FTE or greater (equivalent of 3 days per week)

Applying

Applications are currently closed, please sign up to our newsletter for updates about the next application window.

When applications are open, teachers can apply for any master’s course where there is a significant component relating to the teaching and learning of physics. This may be the result of your choice of assignments rather than any taught component of the course. You will be asked to explain the link to physics education as part of your application.

There are a number of courses which may be of particular interest, although any master’s course is eligible:

• Conversion of PGCE course into an MEd, often at the institution you studied at
• MA in STEM Education – King’s College London
• MSc in Teaching and Learning – University of Oxford
• MSc in Teacher Education – University of Oxford
• MA Education (Science) – Institute of Education, University College London

You may consider pure education or research master’s but to apply for a scholarship you must focus on physics-related topics.

Note that courses have different amounts of teaching, self-directed study and research projects involved and you should read the information carefully to decide the right type of course for you.

If you have any accessibility needs or adjustments to support required for you to make your application, please get in touch.

Applications are currently closed, please sign up to our newsletter for updates about the next application window.