About this course
Do you enjoy maths and have a passion to help young people enjoy it too? Our PGCE Mathematics course prepares you to teach young people aged 11 to 16 across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. At the University of Southampton, you’ll learn the skills and knowledge to teach mathematics with confidence.
Learn how different methods for teaching secondary school maths create a fun and inspired learning environment for mathematics. You'll train in two secondary schools across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset to build on your practical experience and grow your professional network.
By studying PGCE Mathematics you'll:
- critically assess different teaching styles and resources to develop your own methodology and set of teaching skills
- train to work within a range of different schools
- consider different ways of learning mathematics and how this impacts teaching
- understand how to overcome current challenges in mathematics education
You’ll teach mathematics within the National Curriculum framework and Secondary Curriculum. Your tutors and mentors will help your personal and professional development as you'll get the support you need throughout your learning.
Qualified Teacher Status is awarded for the 11 to 16 age range, the majority of schools in our partnership serve cohorts to match this age group. Trainees are also appointed to posts in the 11 to 18 sector for their NQT year and you may also get the opportunity to teach older students.
Course lead
Your course leader is Rosalyn Hyde. She is a Principal Teaching Fellow in secondary mathematics and has particular interests in initial teacher education and mathematics-specific pedagogy, as well as the effective use of technology in teaching and learning. Ros has considerable experience in writing and training mathematics teachers. She co-edited Mentoring Mathematics Teachers: Supporting and inspiring pre-service and newly qualified teachers, published by Routledge.
She currently works in partnership with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and recently completed a PhD study in the field of employment-led initial teacher education.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- a 2:2 degree in maths or a related subject
- an A level (or equivalent) in mathematics
- at least a grade 4 or C in GCSE Maths and English GCSE
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
If you don’t have the required GCSE grades, you can take our GCSE equivalent tests in Maths and English.
We might ask you to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course before starting your PGCE, depending on the maths content in your undergraduate degree.
Recognition of professional experience
Recognition of professional experience
If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, we'll consider your application based on your:
- evidence of experience teaching or observing in a school or college
- relevant professional experience
- subject knowledge
- suitability for the course
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is an intensive 1-year course which you’ll study on a full-time basis.
You’ll spend a minimum of 120 days in two different schools and you’ll attend taught sessions at the University every Friday. You’ll be expected to apply the learning from the taught sessions to your time in school.
During your time in school, you’ll start by observing classes before you are gradually introduced to teaching the whole class. With the support of your school-based mentor, you’ll be expected to quickly develop the skills and confidence to work with whole classes.
If you’d like to progress your qualification, you can apply your credits from the PGCE maths towards a master's.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2022-23
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
The outcomes of this module will comprise: - A literature review which presents and synthesises the available knowledge within the selected area under investigation. This module is compulsory as it enables students to develop their teaching within their...
The outcomes of this module will comprise: a) a written summary including research findings, a discussion in relation to literature and conclusion with implications for classroom practice b) an 'intervention' which outlines how the student will plac...
Students elect to follow a particular issue from a suite of options presented on an annual basis by staff in Education. The outcomes of the module are for the student to make an oral presentation on their investigations using technology where appropriate.
This module consists of a Portfolio of Evidence from Teaching across all Placement Schools/Colleges. It is assessed against the Teachers’ Standards and is used to evidence that QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) has been met by the Trainee Teacher.
Learning and assessment
Learning
There is a variety of different learning activities including:
- workshops and seminars
- tutorials
- group activities
- directed study
- independent study and research
- conference days
- guest speakers
Assessment
We'll assess you on your ability to teach and mainly through coursework and assignments, rather than exams.
You’ll be assessed by a combination of:
- 3 assignments; 2 written and 1 assessed presentation
- successful completion of your teaching placement
- completion of a portfolio against the Teachers’ Standards
Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.
Dissertation
You will not need to complete a dissertation for this course.
Academic Support
We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
We welcome students from any background to learn the skills required to teach maths.
Past students have gone on to work in a variety of different roles:
- teaching secondary school maths
- senior managers in schools
- mentor for trainee teachers
- lecturer in higher education
- teaching in special education
- teaching overseas
- personal tutor
Students have also continued their studies with a PhD to specialise further in their specific area of interest.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £21,000.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Initial Teaching Education funding
Depending on your circumstances, you could get:
a tax-free bursary or scholarship
financial support if you're a parent, have an adult dependant or a disability
a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course
a maintenance loan to help with living costs
Find out about Initial Teaching Education Funding
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
You must apply for this course on GOV.UK. You’ll need to create an account in order to submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Make sure we receive your application at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available.
International students
Make sure we receive your application at least 6 weeks before the start of the course.
This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available. It will also give you time to apply for a visa if we offer you a place.
Supporting information
GOV.UK processes applications for this course. When you apply, they’ll give you details of any supporting information or documents you’ll need to supply.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
After applying through GOV.UK you’ll hear from us by email. We have 40 days to respond, but most applicants hear back much sooner.
If you get through to the next stage we’ll invite you to an interview with tutors, where we’ll assess your suitability for training and teaching. We’ll also ask you to give a short presentation and carry out a written task.
We’ll then decide whether to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to your GOV.UK application within 5 working days.
All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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