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Secondary Mathematics with QTS (11-16) PGCE

GOV.UK code: GX11

Train to be a maths teacher and inspire a love of numbers and problem-solving in secondary school pupils. Upon successful completion of our Secondary Mathematics PGCE, you’ll gain a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and be at the cutting edge of national developments.

Overview

Course length: 1 year full-time
Start dates: September 2024
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Subject(s): Education and Teaching
Faculty: Education
Department: Secondary and Further Education
A secondary mathematics teacher speaks to two pupils in a classroom.

Motivated to inspire young minds? Ready to unravel the mysteries of mathematics in the classroom? Developed around the latest curriculum requirements, our PGCE Secondary Mathematics prepares you to teach a subject many find challenging.

Learn from leading experts in mathematics teacher training. Strengthen your subject knowledge and sharpen your skills in teaching with technology. As well as mastering the subject, we’ll help you become confident managing a classroom and assessing your students’ progress.

You’ll experience life in the classroom. Not only will you learn more about the subject, but also get to test out different teaching approaches, perfect lesson planning and understand learning strategies.

Training as a teacher can be equally rewarding and challenging, but we’ll be there to support you every step of the way. You’ll be able to get advice from your Personal Tutor and ask for feedback from an assigned mentor at your placement school.

During this course, you’ll take time to reflect and work towards becoming the best teacher you can be. You’ll also reflect on your classroom experiences with different types of learners to help you throughout your career.

Successful completion of the programme leads to a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Subject knowledge enhancement

If you need to develop your mathematics subject knowledge or it has been some time since you last studied mathematics, then our free subject knowledge enhancement course will prepare you for teaching the conceptual and applied aspects of mathematics effectively to learners aged 11-16 years.

Ofsted outstanding provider

Course features

  • Ofsted outstanding provider for initial teacher education

  • Professional accreditation

  • Professional practice placements

  • International students can apply

Matt Lamb student profile

The best thing about Edge Hill University to me is the quality of teaching mixed with the resources that are available.

Matt Lamb

PGCE Secondary Mathematics with QTS (11-16)

View student profile
Holly Grindley student profile

The quality of teaching I have received is outstanding. Having consistent support from staff who are so prepared has really made my experience exceptional.

Holly Grindley

PGCE Secondary Mathematics with QTS (11-16)

View student profile

What you'll study

You’ll begin your time with us by reflecting on your existing subject knowledge and understanding. Through this you’ll be able to pick out your main strengths and areas of individual development to focus on.

While on campus, you’ll develop your knowledge of essential education theory and strengthen your subject understanding. We’ll cover innovative teaching and assessment methods including whole class teaching and group work. You’ll also become confident using technology to support learning.

We’ll introduce the ways you can encourage numeric development, including spoken and mental mathematics, and the importance of using the right numeric terms. Learn how to plan lessons effectively and check your teaching is always adaptive and inclusive.

Outside your lectures and seminars, you’ll complete extensive hands-on placements and boost your awareness of the teaching profession through our specific placement curriculum. Get the chance to watch and support at first, then increase your timetable as your confidence in the classroom grows.

Compulsory modules:

Expand all
Evidence-Informed Practice (Secondary Mathematics)
ITE Curriculum and Practice (Secondary)
Principles of Learning and Curriculum Design (Secondary Mathematics)

How you'll study

A combination of academic study, group discussion and reflection, and practical, work-based learning in the classroom will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to become a creative and innovative teacher. The programme aims to develop a reflective and critically analytical approach to education.

You will undertake extensive placements in schools and colleges, putting your training into practice through assisting with and taking responsibility for classes, and working alongside mentors and peers to further your professional development. The focus initially is on observation and supporting teaching and learning. Your teaching timetable will increase as your training progresses and you become more confident in the classroom.

Timetables for your induction week are normally available in August prior to enrolment. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your induction week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.

How you'll be assessed

You will be assessed, through a balanced combination of coursework and portfolio assessments, against both academic criteria and the Standards related to QTS. Various other tasks will enable you to show your competence in ICT and other areas of Mathematics.

Your professional practice will conclude with a final viva that will allow you to demonstrate appropriate achievement against the Teachers’ Standards in order to allow us to make a recommendation for QTS.

Who will be teaching you

The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for over 135 years and today enjoys the enviable position of being one of the country’s leading providers of education, training and research for the children’s workforce.

Tutors are at the forefront of national developments within secondary education. They write Mathematics schemes for national publication and have an excellent reputation for training high quality professionals.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

To join this PGCE, you will be expected to have:

  • A degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject. Other subjects may be considered if you have an A Level in a relevant subject (or equivalent qualification) and a willingness to engage in a subject knowledge enhancement course.
  • GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
  • Satisfactory levels of information and communications technology competence
  • A commitment to, and understanding of, secondary education, demonstrating the personal attributes, values and motivation required to train as a teacher.

Please note, for the purposes of initial teacher training, level 2 literacy and numeracy qualifications are not considered as equivalent to GCSE Grade C or Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature and Mathematics.

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to meet the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through GOV.UK

Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and Postgraduate Teacher Training to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Visit Edge Hill University

There’s plenty of opportunities to come take a look around campus. Attend one of our open days to see what life at Edge Hill University is all about.

Book an open day

Facilities

Faculty of EducationHoused in a state-of-the-art £9million building, the Faculty of Education enjoys a stunning setting from both its lakeside and piazza buildings.

Facilities in the lakeside building include a 300-seat lecture theatre, five well-equipped ICT suites, and 18 teaching rooms complete with the latest technology. The lakeside building is also home to a popular vegan and vegetarian cafe where students can meet to socialise and discuss their studies.

The nearby piazza building offers modern facilities including a lecture theatre and a number of seminar rooms.

Where you'll study

Faculty of Education

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

for the course

International

£16,500

for the course

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. If you are a UK student joining this PGCE in academic year 2023/24, you may be eligible to receive a Department for Education bursary worth £27,000 if you have a first class, 2:1 or 2:2 honours degree or have successfully completed a PhD or Masters award. Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.

Please see our international student finance pages for financial support information for international students.

Your future career

This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education. Successful completion of the programme will enable you to gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will be well placed to progress into employment as an early career teacher of mathematics at secondary school level.

Alternatively, following your time on this course, you might decide to further your studies by moving on to an MA or PhD in a related area.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Track changes to this course

Download our course leaflet