Apply for an NPQ

DfE Funding Eligibility – Autumn 2025 Intake

As of 24 July 2025, the Department for Education has confirmed updated scholarship criteria:

NPQH and NPQ for SENCOs

These two qualifications remain fully funded for all eligible staff in state-funded schools and academies in England.

For All Other NPQs (NPQSL, NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC, NPQLL, NPQLPM, NPQEYL, NPQEL)

Fully funded places on these programmes are available to teachers and leaders who meet the Department for Education’s scholarship eligibility criteria. To qualify, you must be working in one of the following settings:

• A state-funded school or 16–19 provider in England ranked in the top 50% nationally by proportion of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium (or equivalent disadvantage funding);

• A setting identified for support through the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme;

• A highly disadvantaged early years setting (only applies to NPQ Early Years Leadership).

If you meet these criteria, you may be entitled to a fully funded place with no cost to you or your school.
Please note: Funded places are limited and competitive, and eligibility does not guarantee a place. You are encouraged to register your interest early to maximise your chances.

For NPQLTD, additional funding is available for those acting as lead mentors with ITT providers accredited from September 2024.

A full list of eligible settings and scholarship guidance is available here:
DfE NPQ Funding Guidance – GOV.UK

To check if you are a RISE school please apply on the DFE portal linked below where eligibility will be shown following your application.

If you cannot access funding for the Programmes you have the option to self-fund either through your school or self. View the pricing per programme here.