Program Overview

Overview of the PGCE Secondary Mathematics Program

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Secondary Mathematics program at the University of Reading is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a secondary mathematics teacher. This program leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying students to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.

How You'll Learn

The PGCE course provides a varied learning experience, ranging from theoretical presentations to in-classroom placements. Students will engage in active discussions of teaching theory and practice, write assignments that connect theory to in-classroom teaching, attend workshops and individual tutorials with experienced teaching professionals, build up significant classroom experience with different age groups, work on tasks in groups, and visit schools or other education settings.

Qualified Teacher Status

The PGCE Secondary Maths course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), qualifying students to teach the 11-18 age group in secondary schools in England and Wales.

Your Learning Environment

The University of Reading offers a diverse and experienced community of academics with extensive school teaching and academic experience. Students will be taught by experienced mathematics teachers, well-versed in both theory and practice. The placement in a local school will be supervised by expert mathematics teachers who are all specially trained as mentors.

Partnership with Schools

The course is designed in collaboration with the University's strong schools partnership, ensuring that it meets both the needs of students as learners and the needs of the children they will teach. The University has relationships with around 90 schools in the local and surrounding area.

Placements

Placements enable students to develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers. Students will build their confidence in the classroom and gain practical teaching experience. Placements also provide the opportunity to connect with potential employers and build a professional network.

Entry Requirements

• Students are normally required to have at least a 2:2 honors degree (or equivalent from a university outside the UK) in a subject that is related to the subject they intend to teach.
• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5
• Students will need to have achieved Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent qualifications.
• As part of the application process, students will be required to attend an interview.
• Students will also need to demonstrate competence in Fundamental English and mathematics by the end of the course.

Structure

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery:

• Core modules:
  • Shared Implementation Secondary
  • Guided Implementation Secondary
  • Independent Implementation Secondary
  • The Reflective Teacher
  • Investigating Practice

Fees

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students: ｣9,790
• New international students: ｣26,450

Careers

Overall, 99% of graduates who reported their main activity to be full-time employment were in graduate-level work and/or study 15 months after the end of their course. The University has excellent links with local schools, ensuring that employment rates are consistently high, with well over 90% of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) finding a teaching job.

Research

98% of the University's research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4, 3, and 2* submissions Education).