BSc (Hons) Secondary Education and Mathematics with QTS

• Your Level 3 subjects must include mathematics; for instance, A-level Mathematics or IMA Polymaths Certificate (with a score of at least 900 out of 1200 points).
• You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English, mathematics and a science. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.
• If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, please consider our Polymaths course.
• You’ll be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• You’ll need to satisfactorily pass a fitness to practice assessment.
• This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
• You'll need to provide satisfactory references, a satisfactory health declaration and a satisfactory student agreement prior to enrolment on the course.
• If English isn’t your first language you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Want some reassurance or advice? Speak to one of our advisors. Email us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)1204 903 903.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The University of Bolton’s BSc (Hons) Secondary Education and Mathematics degree is ideal if you wish to pursue a career in teaching mathematics at Key Stages 3 and 4 (ages 11-16). The course offers a grounding in mathematics and examines how this can support a career in education and school-based experience.

However, as a graduate of this degree, you will not be limited to a career in education. The course is also designed to provide an excellent foundation for any career that requires a high level of mathematical knowledge and skill, and offers you the opportunity to gain transferable skills such as planning, time management, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, analytical and modelling skills, research and self-discipline.

What can I do with this qualification?

This degree offers you an exciting opportunity to turn your passion for mathematics into a career in teaching. As a graduate of this course, you’ll be well equipped with both the subject knowledge and the necessary pedagogical skills for teaching mathematics in secondary schools.

Some of the typical employers for teachers include state-maintained schools, where your employer will often be the local authority. However, you may be employed directly by the school (for example, if you're working for an academy or free school). Graduates working in independent schools or colleges are also employed directly by the institution.

Alternatively, after graduation, you may wish to take a master’s degree in education or a related social science to develop your understanding of the theory, research and policy of education.

Alternative career options

This course has significant mathematics content which will allow you to pursue a range of career options outside of teaching such as accountancy, financial management and analysis. Graduates can also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

• Risk analysis
• Insurance
• Data analysis
• Market research
• Data engineer
• Project management
• Statistics
• Banking
• Medical research
• Educational consultancy
• Youth work
• Community education
• Early years
• Education administration
• Learning mentor
• Social work
• Careers advice
• Child psychotherapy
• Counselling
• Family support
• Play therapy
• Student services
• Educational writing

The fees for a student’s course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

The university is currently awaiting government guidelines as to EU fee charges for students commencing study in 2021/2022.

UK undergraduate tuition fees are subject to UK government approval and are subject to the outcome of the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Additional costs

There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.

We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, using a combination of face-to-face sessions, electronic resources and communications, and school-based experience. You can expect timetabled lectures, along with tutorials and problem classes, seminars where we’ll encourage you to present your ideas, and meetings with your personal tutor. Guided independent study and self-directed learning are equally essential to your success; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for practical activities and working on projects. As you progress you’ll be expected to demonstrate the ability to study independently and manage your own study.

Personal tutoring will help to support you throughout the course. We endeavour to be available and approachable, and encourage you to talk with us informally whenever you need support or guidance.

Formal assessment will be by examination, timed in-class tests, assignments, presentations, dissertation and oral viva. Additional formal assessment will be based on coursework. You’ll be expected to produce written work that demonstrates your understanding and ability to apply the course content. You’ll also receive informal peer and tutor feedback on individual and group activities. Your tutor will guide you towards areas of appropriate research and background reading.

We’ll arrange school placements for you that will support you in meeting the requirements to become a qualified teacher in the secondary education sector. During your placement, your teaching practice will be assessed according to the Core Content Framework for Initial Teacher Training, and the professional standards for teachers set by the Department for Education (DfE) and documented through session planning, observation reports and reflective journals. You’ll receive informal feedback on your performance, to help you assess your progress and improve your practice, as well as formal assessment that will contribute to your overall grade for the course. Your recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status will be made when you have met all of the Teachers’ Standards.

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.