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. During our Secondary Mathematics PGCE, you’ll gain recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and be at the cutting edge of national developments.
Overview
Course length: | 1 year full-time |
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Start dates: | September 2023 September 2024 |
Location: | Edge Hill University |
Subject(s): | Education and Teaching |
Faculty: | Education |
Department: | Secondary and Further Education |

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.
With 26 weeks of placement, 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 recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Subject knowledge enhancement
Want to boost or refresh your subject knowledge in mathematics? 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.
Course features
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International students can apply
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Professional accreditation
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Professional practice placements
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 up to 26 weeks of 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.
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 spend up to 26 weeks on placement 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.
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.
Before the end of your PGCE you will need to complete a Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) which acts as a useful bridge between your initial teacher training programme and your two-year induction as an early career teacher.
Who will be teaching you
The Faculty of Education has been at the forefront of teacher education for 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 at the forefront of national developments within secondary education, who 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 (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics and a willingness to engage in subject knowledge enhancement
- GCSE English Language 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 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
Read our guide to applying for PGCEs and PGDEs to find out more about the application process.
International
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.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
Housed 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
£13,750
for 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.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
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.