University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

Quality Degree for a Fair Fee

Quality Degree for a Fair Fee    

UCP Marjon is putting the student first, charging £7,800 - saving you up to £1,200 per year.

Excellent Employability Record

Excellent Employability Record    

With a 90% employability rate, employers value the UCP Marjon degree.

National Student Survey

National Student Survey   

UCP Marjon ranks top 15% overall and top 10% for both Teaching and Personal Development 

New 2 Year Degree

New 2 Year Degrees   

Fast track your career with our new 2 year degree - saving you up to £9,500.

BEd (Hons) Secondary Education and Mathematics

Introduction

This is an accelerated 2 year, full-time course leading to a degree and Qualified Teacher Status qualifying you to become a secondary Maths teacher.  The course is designed for students who have studied Mathematics at A Level or equivalent and have successfully studied beyond this level (e.g. Foundation Degree, HNC, HND, first year of a BA).

UCP Marjon has been involved in Mathematics Teacher Training ever since it came to Plymouth.  It has links with all the Initial Teacher Education institutions in the South West.  Its degrees are well respected by the South West’s secondary schools and further afield.  In fact there are UCP Marjon trained secondary teachers teaching as far away as New Zealand.

The course is taught in Plymouth at our University College campus where you will begin an amazing tour of the world of Mathematics.  Mathematics has a central place in the curriculum in its own right as an intriguing subject.  You are going to discover the real strength of Mathematics is in its ability to describe, to model, to explain the real world.  Enthusiasm is essential and the course will look at ways of bringing excitement into the classroom and even out of the classroom through the use of a variety of learning experiences to further explore and teach the subject.

Over the duration of the course you will gain the subject knowledge and the teaching skills you will need as a teacher.  Your first year will be spent learning Maths and widening your understanding.  The second year will then focus on professional training, with a majority of the time being spent in schools.

You will learn in a technology rich environment, being taught all the technical skills you will need to capture the potential that technology has to enhance the teaching of Maths.

Course Code / Duration

UCAS Code

Single Honours: G1X3

Duration

Two year Accelerated Course. Full time.

Entry Requirements

We welcome students from all backgrounds. Beyond the standard requirements for entry to undergraduate teacher training, we expect you to have an A level in mathematics (or an equivalent qualification) and to have successfully studied for at least one year at HE level. Therefore you might be the holder of an HND or HNC. Perhaps you have 120 credits of study with the Open University. You may have successfully completed one year on another degree programme. You may have a Foundation Degree. Or you may have professional qualifications. Other similar qualifications may be considered on an individual basis.

In addition to the specific course entry requirements, all BEd applicants will need to meet the following general entry requirements:

  • To be able to clearly and accurately communicate both spoken and written English
  • Candidates must take part in an individual and/or a group interview with representatives from schools as well as University College tutors

GCSE Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements, you must have grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE examinations or equivalent qualifications. Please note that Level 2 Key Skills in Application of Numbers and Communication or Certificates in Adult Literacy or Numeracy, are not sufficient to meet the entry requirements to a BEd programme.

Suitability Clearance
You will be required to:

  • Provide a satisfactory CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) Enhanced Disclosure, related to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Joint Circular ‘Protection of Children'
  • Register with the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority), www.isa-gov.org.uk
  • Register with the GTC (General Teaching Council)
  • Meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach as detailed in ‘Fit to Teach’ by completing an on-line medical questionnaire

Module Information

The Programme
This degree is designed to enable you to become a newly qualified teacher in the space of just two years.  You will need to be totally committed to becoming a teacher and will have successfully completed the equivalent of at least one year of full-time mathematical studies at undergraduate level.

The course is tailored to meet individual needs - no two students necessarily follow identical paths.  There is always a very rich mix of experiences among the students in each of the study modules.  Students describe it as demanding and intensive but exciting with rich rewards.

1. Subject Studies in Mathematics
We use a practical approach to the teaching and learning of Mathematics.  Activity-based workshops, seminars and lectures will be offered to give you insight into aspects of data handling, geometry, modelling, mathematical structure and analysis.  You will enjoy a high level of collaborative work.  You will use technology as an integral part of your learning and teaching at every stage.  You will use software and hardware commonly found in secondary schools.  Some parts of the programme are based in schools either using regular visits once a week or using a block practice.

2. Professional Studies Subject Application
A major part of the programme is concerned with helping you to develop professional skills which are essential if you are to become an effective teacher.  You will work on preparing materials, planning lessons, studying ways in which teachers and pupils communicate, learning how teachers work together and how to monitor your teaching.

3. General Professional Studies
Taking a broader view of the educational system is what this element is about, to help ensure that you understand how schools operate and how the National Curriculum works.  This leads to an understanding of how some pupils learn and succeed, whilst others fail to get the most out of the system.  You will also look at how a school is linked with the local community.

4. School Experience
You will begin by observing teaching.  Then you will work alongside a teacher and gradually take on more responsibility for encouraging and enabling learning.  Towards the end of your studies, you will spend an extensive period in a secondary school allowing you to move towards full-time teaching.

Fees and Funding

For current undergraduate fees and funding, please click here

Course Tutors

Career Opportunities

It is well known that there is a shortage of good mathematics teachers. Students who graduate from a mathematics programme at UCP Marjon are good teachers of mathematics and highly sought after.

Additional Information

Support
UCP Marjon has a long tradition of teacher training.  At the heart of our success is the support we provide our trainees.  Becoming a teacher is a fulfilling and rewarding career choice, but it is not an easy one.  We know this and are committed to ensuring you have the support you need to succeed.

Mathematics at UCP Marjon is a practical activity. Extensive use of ICT enables us to explore patterns, functions, number, shape and data in a meaningful way. Thus, students acquire the deep understanding of the subject they will need as mathematics teachers. As students progress through their programme they quickly develop high levels of competence in a wide range of ICT applications and processes.

Sophie Diekmann

Sophie Diekmann BEd Maths 6
Having decided to pursue a career in primary education, Sophie completed a Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She took part in the Student Associate Scheme and spent some time in a secondary school.  Having enjoyed the experience so much, she decided to pursue secondary teaching rather than primary, and joined the 2 year top-up Mathematics course at UCP Marjon:  “The course is proving to be exactly the right thing for me and I’m really enjoying it!  We have a lovely small group and the lecturers are very approachable.”  Sophie now has QTS and is successfully teaching mathematics in a secondary school in Cornwall.

Applications
Please apply direct to UCP Marjon by contacting Admissions on 01752 636890 or emailing admissions@ucpmarjon.ac.uk



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