New funding arrangements for NPQs for spring 2025
The DfE have announced that there is some very limited NPQ funding for Easter 2025 programmes which for most programmes will be targeted to those teachers and leaders serving more disadvantaged communities.
There will now be a capped number of funded 10,000 places nationally. Funding for the autumn 2025 cohorts and beyond has not been confirmed.
Scholarship-funded places are extremely limited on each NPQ programme, so access to funding will be subject to availability – eligibility is not a guarantee of a funded place.
To have the best chance of a funded place, you will need to apply as soon as possible to the DfE AND Ambition Institute via our application process once applications open on 10th February 2025: participants from eligible schools identified below will be prioritised on a first come first served basis. There will only be a limited number of places available for NPQs per school. Other places are available at a cost to schools and settings.
You can apply to Ambition Institute now, but you will also need to apply via the DfE portal to confirm your place after 10th February.
National professional qualifications (NPQs) are flexible professional development courses for teachers and leaders to improve skills, progress careers and deliver improved outcomes for schools.
- You may be able to get your NPQ course fees paid for by the Department for Education (DfE). This is called scholarship funding.
- You do not need to apply separately for it. When you register for an NPQ the DfE will tell you if you are eligible for funding.
Scholarship funding for spring 2025
From spring 2025, scholarship funding to cover the full NPQ course cost will be available to a very limited number of teachers and leaders from:
- schools: the top 50% of state funded schools in England that have the highest proportion of students attracting pupil premium, as set out in the eligibility lists
- 16-19 settings: the top 50% of state funded settings in England that have the highest proportion of students eligible for disadvantage funding
For the early years leadership NPQ, highly disadvantaged early years settings will also be eligible.
You will only be eligible for scholarship funding for the spring 2025 cohort if your school or setting is on one of the eligible disadvantaged settings lists and you are taking one of the following NPQs:
- leading teacher development (NPQLTD)
- leading teaching (NPQLT)
- leading behaviour and culture (NPQLBC)
- leading literacy (NPQLL)
- senior leadership (NPQSL)
- executive leadership (NPQEL)
- early years leadership (NPQEYL
Scholarships will continue to be available to a very limited number of teachers and leaders from all publicly funded schools and 16 to 19 educational organisations for the following NPQs:
- leading primary mathematics (NPQLPM)
- special educational needs co-ordinator (NPQ for SENCOs)
- headship (NPQH)
Funding for these 3 NPQs will also be available to:
- hospital schools
- young offender institutions
- local authority virtual school head teachers and staff in direct teaching roles (local-authority-run organisations that support the education of children in care)
- other local authority staff in a direct teaching role (for example, local authority supply or peripatetic teachers)
Early headship coaching offer
For the early headship coaching offer, limited funding to cover the course fees will be available if you are in your first 5 years of headship in England in a state-funded school or state-funded 16 to 19 organisation. You should also be doing or have done the NPQH.
Funding restrictions
- Eligibility for scholarship funding does not guarantee a place on a funded NPQ course.
- You can only receive scholarship funding for each NPQ once.
- If you receive scholarship funding but then withdraw from or fail your programme, you cannot receive scholarship funding for the same NPQ again.
- Being eligible for an NPQ scholarship does not guarantee either suitability for the course or that a funded course place is available.
- NPQ providers are responsible for determining suitability through their application process.
- The amount of scholarship funding available nationally is limited. This means some teachers and leaders who are eligible for a scholarship may not be able to access a funded place.
- NPQ providers manage the application process for the courses they deliver and may need to prioritise applications to manage the number of funded places they have available. For example, providers will need to prioritise applications for SENCOs places to support those needing to take the qualification to meet statutory requirements.
- If funded places are not available with your chosen provider, you can:
- choose to pay for a course place
- approach a different NPQ provider to enquire about the availability of funded course places
- choose to join your chosen providers waiting list