School of Education
Mathematics PGCE
Mathematics is a core subject within the secondary curriculum. It encompasses the study of number, algebra, shape, measures and data-handling. At Leicester, we strive to ensure that you become an effective practitioner of Mathematics education with the ability to excite and engage pupils in all areas.
You will learn from some of the best practitioners in the field and, with their support, you will learn how to become an effective practitioner yourself. The programme will cover all areas of the National Curriculum for Mathematics, and will also address national testing, extra-curricular learning opportunities and your own professional development.
The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is offering Teacher Training Scholarships to Mathematics graduates who enter teacher training. There are also tax-free bursaries available. For more information, please visit the Get into Teaching website.
Programme aims
The Mathematics PGCE course aims to:
- Broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Mathematics for teaching purposes
- Develop your understanding and insight into the ways in which Mathematics is learned, and the potential difficulties
- Provide an informed and critical view of National Curriculum requirements
- Provide up-to-date knowledge and experience of curriculum materials, developments in assessment and examinations, and the potential of Information and Communications Technology
- Provide a broad range of teaching and learning methods to cater for a full range of abilities
- Develop your skills in planning, communication, assessment, recording and evaluation
Subject specialism
The Mathematics subject specialism will run throughout the academic year and will cover a variety of areas including:
- The Mathematics curriculum
- Lesson planning
- Subject knowledge: approaches to teaching and learning, including common misconceptions
- Teaching Mathematics using technology
- Assessment of and for learning
- Theories of learning and teaching
- Communicating mathematically
- Adaptive teaching to enable all pupils to reach their potential
- Teaching Functional Maths and Problem Solving
- Maths outside the classroom
Assessment
Continuous assessment is used throughout the course and there are no examinations.
Eligibility criteria
Degree/A-level
Applications are welcome from students with good Mathematics qualifications at honours degree level, and from those with joint or combined honours degrees in which Mathematics is a major subject.
Applications may be accepted from students from associated academic backgrounds such as Economics, Physics, Finance and Computer Science. All such applicants must have an A-level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics and be able to demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for Mathematics in their application and at interview.
GCSE
All applicants must have achieved a Grade A or equivalent in Mathematics and a Grade C in English Language at GCSE.
You may apply without these qualifications, but if you are successful at interview you must have passed them by the start of the course. Special tests in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and English are available for Secondary candidates who are offered conditional places but are lacking the requisite qualification.