Dr Ruth Thompson PGCE Scholarship for the Teachers of Tomorrow

Following a generous legacy donation from Dr Ruth Thompson, the PGCE Scholarship for the Teachers of Tomorrow has been established to encourage more people to take up teaching locally. This scholarship is available for students studying a PGCE, wishing to become a teacher.

Each application will be judged on the applicant meeting the set criteria below and on the strength of the personal statement within the application form.

• Be a PGCE teacher training student
• Your home address must have a Staffordshire postcode
• You must not be in receipt of an existing DFE PGCE bursary

The scholarship comprises six awards of £1,000. Of the £1,000 scholarship successful recipients will be required to spend a minimum of £100 on their learning project.

• £900 will go directly to the student via bank transfer to support them in their studies.
• £100 will be available to undertake a learning project which will improve/develop practice within settings. e.g., creation of a learning resource to be used with children, a sign posting webpage to help parents.
• Funding will only be paid once studying has commenced.

Students must be actively engaged in their studies, with failure to do this resulting in the removal of the bursary.

Students must also be willing to be involved in University publicity campaigns e.g., social media, web, news articles, and magazines if required.

Students should be aware that they will be required to produce a 500-word evaluation of their project.

You can apply to the fund through our partner platform, Blackbullion, using the following link:

Dr Ruth Thompson PGCE Scholarship for the Teachers of Tomorrow

If you've not already registered with Blackbullion you'll be asked to register with them, using your student email account before completing your application. Registration is free and will give you access to all Blackbullion's online resources and learning modules designed to help you develop essential money skills, as well as exclusive competitions. For more information on Blackbullion please watch the video: We are Blackbullion: For Students

Please review your application carefully before submitting as duplicate entries will not be considered.

Students must provide a synopsis of their learning project. This should explain the learning project and the need and benefits of the project and to which audience - e.g., Year 4 children. The students should also explain how the £900 will support them throughout their studies.

Spell check your application

Highlight your goals and ambitions

Explain why you chose us for your degree

We hope you take the time complete the application to the best of your ability and if you encounter any issues or require additional support during the application process, please contact developmentoffice@staffs.ac.uk.

Applications close on 31 October 2025.

• The University will conduct a review of a student’s bursary if progress or performance in their studies is deemed to be unsatisfactory without an appropriate reason for this.
• If the student ceases to no longer be a registered at the University or they take up full-time employment whilst in receipt of the bursary, no further payments will be made.
• The University has the right to withdraw an award from anyone who is found to have misled the institution about any aspect of their eligibility and to seek repayment of any monies already paid to them.
• University of Staffordshire reserves the right to revise or amend these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. All decisions made by the Development and Alumni Relations Office are final.