Latest news: Bursaries for top graduates

Ministers have confirmed the continuation of bursaries of up to £20,000 for the brightest graduates in core subjects. 08/10/2012

As the government's priorities have changed, so have the subjects, they are now computer science, music and PE. The government is also looking to recruit more specialist maths primary school teachers.

This follows on the success of last year's bursary scheme. Figures show that around 65% of teacher trainee entrants to university-based teacher training courses had a 2:1 or better - the highest proportion on record.

'Teaching is now a top career choice for the best graduates. By offering enticing tax-free bursaries together with outstanding training and development, we can continue to attract the very best into our classrooms,' said Charlie Taylor, chief executive at the Teaching Agency .

A new bursary for computer science has been introduced as top universities and schools will be invited to run new computer science teacher training courses from 2013/14. Funding for the current information and communications technology (ICT) courses will end at the same time.

The government is also changing the way teacher training recruitment targets are set. Previously targets were set purely to recruit enough teachers to meet future school demand.

However, from 2013/14 onwards, targets will be set to recruit teachers with a 2:1 or above to teach music, computer science, PE and in primary education.

The government is also looking to introduce a five-year target for recruitment of high-quality teachers, which it wants to benchmark against the best performing schools systems in the world. This will help in the drive to make teaching an ever higher status profession for the best graduates, while making sure the education system has enough teachers.