Don’t hold back from applying for teacher training because of concerns over subject confidence and knowledge Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses (SKEs) are opportunities for you to address any gaps that you have in your subject knowledge. These are courses that you complete that teach you the subject content that is needed to be successful when teaching any given subject. These course are designed to up-skill individuals who have a secure foundation of subject knowledge, update subject knowledge that needs refreshing or to look to bridge any gaps to move towards a new area of the curriculum.

What subjects can you complete an SKE in?


You can complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course in Chemistry, Computing, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, and Spanish), Physics.

Who should consider an SKE Course?

A Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course is designed to help future teachers strengthen their subject knowledge before starting teacher training. You might benefit from an SKE if:

  • Your degree is in a related subject, but not an exact match – You may need to deepen your understanding to cover the full curriculum of the subject you want to teach.
  • You graduated a while ago – If it’s been some time since you studied your subject in-depth, an SKE will help you refresh and update your knowledge.
  • You have a strong A Level in the subject – You might already know a lot of the content, but an SKE will ensure you develop the required skills and fill any knowledge gaps.
  • You have relevant professional experience but an unrelated degree – If your work experience has given you subject expertise, an SKE can bridge the gap to teaching.
  • You want to teach Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) – An SKE can help you learn a new language or strengthen an existing one to meet teaching requirements.

By completing an SKE, you’ll gain the confidence and expertise needed to excel in your teacher training and beyond. If you’re unsure whether you need one, speak to your training provider – it could be the key to unlocking your teaching potential!

How does an SKE work?

 

Strengthen Your Subject Knowledge with a Fully Funded SKE Course

If you’re passionate about becoming a teacher but need to boost your subject knowledge or confidence, a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course could be the perfect solution.

Our fully online SKE courses offer complete flexibility, allowing you to fit your learning around your existing commitments. You’ll engage in 25 hours of study per week, but when and how you complete those hours is up to you. With one-to-one online lessons at times that suit you and a dedicated course tutor supporting you every step of the way, you’ll get tailored guidance to help you succeed.

Course Length & Funding

  • Course duration: 8 to 28 weeks (or up to 36 weeks for MFL if learning two languages).
  • Cost: Fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE) when SKE is a condition of your ITT offer
  • Bursary: Receive a tax-free payment of £175 per week, totalling between £1,400 and £4,900, depending on course length.

Who Can Apply?

To access an SKE course, you must have an offer from a teacher training provider stating that an SKE is required. Your provider will discuss this with you if they feel it would strengthen your knowledge before you begin training.

If you believe an SKE would benefit you but it hasn’t been mentioned, ask about it! We’re here to support you in becoming the best teacher you can be.

When Should You Complete an SKE?

While you can complete an SKE before or alongside your teacher training, we strongly recommend finishing it before you start to give yourself the best foundation for success.

Why Choose Our SKE Course?

100% Online & Flexible – Study at a time that suits you.
One-to-One Support – Learn with a dedicated tutor.
Fully Funded & Paid – No cost to you, plus a bursary of £175 per week subject to eligibility criteria.
Designed for Future Teachers – Gain the confidence and knowledge needed to excel in your training.

Ready to take the next step? Apply today and start building the subject knowledge you need for a successful teaching career!

For more information or any questions about SKE, contact our team at [email protected]. We’re happy to help!