The mathematics two-year PGCE course is a highly rated conversion course for those who wish to teach mathematics but have a degree with relatively little mathematics content. The course helps develop a deep understanding of mathematics at A level and beyond A level. This includes the ability to carry out mathematics and also the ability to justify and account for why properties, relationships and procedures hold. The course works on two levels: the development of personal mathematics knowledge and also thinking about teaching and learning issues whilst being a learner of mathematics. The course tries to develop a deep understanding of issues and complexities which surround the teaching and learning of mathematics. We wish to develop you as a thinking teacher who can be aware of choices in how to teach mathematics and make informed decisions about how you work with students.
Contact: Dr Dave Hewitt
Telephone Enquiries: 0121 414 4824
Email: d.p.hewitt@bham.ac.uk
The first year of the course will involve taught sessions in algebra and calculus, geometries, statistics, operations and structure, mechanics and a short course on decision mathematics. Other taught sessions are mathematics education and an introduction to using selected mathematics software. You will be part of a self-learning group which will be given the task of learning about a topic and presenting a taught session to your fellow students and will be put into another group to design a display to engage people in mathematical activity. From halfway through the year you will go into a school one day a week and will have a four week block in the school towards the end of the year. The second year of the course will follow the same pattern as the one-year mathematics PGCE course (click here to find out more about this).
Assessment
The first year of the course will assess your mathematics knowledge. this will be done through: (a) assignments; (b) a folder of work carried out throughout the year; (c) reflections teaching and learning issues relating to yourself as a learner on this course; (d) involvement in taught sessions; (e) completion of other requirements for the course, such as successful involvement in group activities as mentioned in the course content above.
If successful in completing the first year of the course you will follow the second year which is assessed in the same way as the one-year mathematics PGCE course (click here to go to the one-year mathematics details).
Progression
As postgraduate programmes, PGCE courses at this university are assessed at Masters level. On successful completion of the PGCE course you will be awarded 120 credits. For those students who successfully complete their induction year there is an opportunity to transfer credits to the MEd course which is awarded on completion of a 60 credit dissertation. (Transfer is subject to a satisfactory reference from your PGCE tutor and induction tutor).
Many local schools have a high regard for Birmingham mathematics PGCE students and particularly value our two-year students. We have an excellent record of students gaining jobs at the end of the course. Many of our ex-PGCE mathematics students are now Heads of Departments in our partnership schools.
All applicants to the Secondary PGCE course must hold a degree or equivalent qualification in the area they wish to teach. In addition to this you will be required to have a grade C in GCSE mathematics and English, or equivalent. DfES require us to check original certificates; you therefore cannot start a PGCE course unless you already hold these qualifications.
You will have a degree (preferably with some mathematics content) and will have an A level (or equivalent) in mathematics.
When to apply
Applications, via the GTTR (see How to Apply), can be made from 1st October for the following September start. There is one intake per year.
You can apply throughout the year as the course is rarely full before the summer holidays. However, we recommend you apply before Easter.
Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 4865 | School e-mail: education@bham.ac.uk
