Mathematics (PGCE)

You’ll need:

• a 2:2 degree (UK honours degree or equivalent) in maths or a related subject.
• an A level (or equivalent) in mathematics
• at least a grade 4 or C in GCSE Maths and English Language GCSE

If you don't have the required GCSEs we'll ask you at the offer stage to take equivalency tests. You'll need to cover the cost of the tests yourself.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements. 

We might ask you to take a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course before starting your PGCE, depending on the maths content in your undergraduate degree.

We do not accept IELTS in lieu of the English Language GCSE requirement

We do not accept Pre-sessional Language programmes as evidence of meeting the English Language requirement for this course.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

Recognition of professional experience

If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, we'll consider your application based on your: 

• evidence of experience teaching or observing in a school or college
• relevant professional experience
• subject knowledge
• suitability for the course

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is an intensive 1-year course which you’ll study on a full-time basis. 

You’ll spend a minimum of 120 days in two different schools and you’ll attend taught sessions at the University every Friday. You’ll be expected to apply the learning from the taught sessions to your time in school.

During your time in school, you’ll start by observing classes before you are gradually introduced to teaching the whole class. With the support of your school-based mentor, you’ll be expected to quickly develop the skills and confidence to work with whole classes.

If you’d like to progress your qualification, you can apply your credits from the PGCE maths towards a master's.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

There is a variety of different learning activities including:

• workshops and seminars
• tutorials  
• group activities  
• directed study  
• independent study and research 
• conference days
• guest speakers

Assessment

We'll assess you on your ability to teach and mainly through coursework and assignments, rather than exams.

You’ll be assessed by a combination of:

• 3 assignments; 2 written and 1 assessed presentation
• successful completion of your teaching placement
• completion of a portfolio against the Teachers’ Standards

Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment. 

Dissertation

You will not need to complete a dissertation for this course.

Academic Support

We’ll assign you a personal tutor, and you’ll have access to a senior tutor.

We welcome students from any background to learn the skills required to teach maths.

Past students have gone on to work in a variety of different roles:

• teaching secondary school maths
• senior managers in schools
• mentor for trainee teachers
• lecturer in higher education
• teaching in special education
• teaching overseas
• personal tutor

Students have also continued their studies with a PhD to specialise further in their specific area of interest.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

Funding, bursaries and scholarships for teacher training

There is a variety of government funding available for teacher training, including bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.

Find out more and check your eligibility on the Department for Education website.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

You must apply for this course on GOV.UK. You’ll need to create an account in order to submit your application.

Application deadlines

The deadline to apply for this course is early July 2025.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the deadline if places are filled. We allocate places on a continuous basis from October 2024 until the course is full.

Visit GOV.UK for the latest information on PGCE course availability.

Supporting information

GOV.UK processes applications for this course. When you apply, they’ll give you details of any supporting information or documents you’ll need to supply.

Academic and employment history

We require all applicants to provide a full breakdown of their previous employment and academic study, including career breaks, from age 16 (GCSE) up to the point of their DFE application.

Original documents

You'll need to provide copies of your original academic qualifications, for example GCSE, A Level and degree, during the application process.

If you join the course, you will also need to provide your original documents in person during induction. Please allow enough time to order replacement certificates if you no longer have your originals.

We will only accept certificates or a final official Statement of Results from the awarding body. We do not accept Candidate Statement of Provisional results and we are also unable to accept letters from educational establishments/schools or colleges as confirmation of results. For evidence of undergraduate education, we will accept a certificate and/or official transcript.

What happens after you apply

After applying through GOV.UK you’ll hear from us by email. We have 40 days to respond, but most applicants hear back much sooner.

If you get through to the next stage we’ll invite you to an interview with tutors, where we’ll assess your suitability for training and teaching. We’ll also ask you to give a short presentation and carry out a written task.

We’ll then decide whether to offer you a conditional place. The decision will be uploaded to your GOV.UK application within 5 working days.

All offers are conditional on enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health checks. You will need to pay for these checks.

If you have spent time outside of the UK, you will also need to obtain criminal record checks from the countries you have lived in.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000