Secondary with QTS: Mathematics

This course is available at the university and through School Direct.

Why study with us?

Are you passionate about mathematics? If your dream is to become a mathematics teacher at secondary school, then this is the course for you.

The PGCE in secondary mathematics is designed to develop your confidence in mathematics along with your ability to help young learners understand and appreciate the beauty of the subject. The course gives you the opportunity to work with many professionals as well as different groups of learners, in various situations, to build their confidence in mathematics and show them its applications in life, while enhancing your own appreciation of its power.

What can this course lead to?

This course can lead to a fulfilling career as a mathematics teacher at secondary school. With qualified teacher status (QTS), you will be able to apply for positions immediately after graduation.

Resources and facilities

We have several excellent resources to help you excel in your studies. All students have access to our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment which can provide easy online access to course information, course materials, relevant web links and an online discussion board.

We have a well-stocked library and a Learning Gateway, which offers an interactive, flexible space to study. You can also take advantage of the Library and Student Services (LiSS), which provides learning resources, equipment, student advice, skills training and study space.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 60 credits UCAS code: G1X1 Selection criteria

• A minimum UK 2:2 honours degree or recognised equivalent qualification is required. A minimum 50% of your degree must be in Mathematics. All successful applicants must have met this requirement by 31 August 2013.

  If you don’t have an undergraduate degree but do have a Masters or other higher qualification, your application will be considered by our academic tutors on a one-to-one basis.

• If you have less than 50% mathematics in your degree, you can be considered for our preliminary Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses.

• GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or recognised equivalent qualifications. Applicants must have met this requirement by 31 August 2013.

• Successful completion of the QTS skills test in literacy and numeracy by 31 August 2013.

• We strongly recommend that you obtain a minimum of 2-3 days secondary school experience in a mainstream UK secondary school observing a class in your chosen teaching specialism before applying. You must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the current nature of teaching and learning in relation to school mathematics.

• A satisfactory academic (university) reference OR a satisfactory professional reference if more than three years since academic study.

• All candidates must demonstrate professional suitability through interview and must obtain medical and enhanced CRB clearance according to established university procedures.

Costs

Click to view information on your study type and home location.

University-based students

Home

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year if you're from England or £15,795 if you're from Scotland. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £20,000 if you have a first class degree
• £15,000 if you have a 2.1
• £12,000 if you have a 2.2

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several support funds available to our current students, including:

• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £20,000 if you have a first class degree
• £15,000 if you have a 2.1
• £12,000 if you have a 2.2

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

International

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £10,800.

Fees are billed annually and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. 75 percent of the annual tuition fees must be paid before or at registration. For students requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa, a deposit of £3,500 is expected as a minimum before a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will be issued. For more information, visit our international student finance page.

Early payment discount

If you are paying your own fees, you may be eligible for an early payment discount of £1,000. This discount is awarded to students who pay in full before registration.

Additional financial support

Our money doctors will be on hand throughout the year to help you manage your money while you’re in the UK. However, if you do happen to run into financial difficulty during your time here, you may be able to access a small emergency support fund.

School Direct students

Salaried

If you have a salaried school direct place, you won't have to pay a penny; your host school will cover your tuition fees in full. You will not be eligible for any additional funding.

School direct salaries are set by the school and should be in line with unqualified teacher pay scales.

Non-salaried

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £9,000.

As a full-time student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which you only start to pay back when you are earning over £21,000 a year if you're from England or £15,795 if you're from Scotland. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan (up to £5,500) and a maintenance grant (up to £3,354) if you're a UK student. For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Teaching Agency bursary

The Teaching Agency awards training bursaries based on subject and the classification of your first degree. For this course, you may be eligible for:

• £20,000 if you have a first class degree
• £15,000 if you have a 2.1
• £12,000 if you have a 2.2

If you have exceptional subject knowledge from another career or postgraduate study (ie PhD or Masters), you may be eligible for a higher bursary than your degree classification would otherwise allow. Find out more about the TA discretionary bursary.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several support funds available to our current students, including:

• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

Apply now

University-based
Visit the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) to apply online.

School Direct
See the School Direct course list for application links.

Modules

The course consists of four modules—one qualificatory, one at level 6 and two at masters level. You are assessed on three pieces of coursework, seminar presentations (individual and group) and portfolios of evidence that show how you have met the standards for qualified teacher status. You are encouraged to combine your experience with your growing knowledge and understanding in order to reflect critically on what it means to be an effective teacher of mathematics.

Course summary

On this course you spend 12 weeks in university and 24 weeks in schools, where you can apply your newfound skills. During the school placements you work with experienced teachers, one of whom is your mentor responsible for your training in school and for assessment of your progress towards meeting the standards for qualified teacher status. Most placements are in Cumbria or Lancashire, but some may be available in London, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.

In university you study the teaching and learning of mathematics at Key Stages 3 and 4, with some work on post-16 mathematics and the progression from primary school to Key Stage 3. Your time in school focuses on teaching at Key Stages 3 and 4, but you also gain experience of Key Stage 2 and post-16 mathematics by participating in maths activity days.

Our tutors have extensive experience in mathematics education. They employ a wide range of teaching methods; the use of ICT is integral to your course. Students are encouraged to support one another in developing a personal understanding of mathematics, sharing approaches to teaching and reflecting on what you have each learnt from your school experiences, university sessions and wider reading.