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PgCert Education

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2020/2021. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details.

  • Entry requirements and key information

    Honours degree awarded by a UK university or an overseas award recognised as equivalent by NARIC

    Maths and English Language GCSE Grade 4 or above (Grade C or above under the old grading structure)

    All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with 6.5 minimum in each band. For country specific qualifications, please visit our Your Country page.

    Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

    You must be working in an educational setting delivering maths to meet the National Curriculum requirements for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

    The programme welcomes applications from any qualified teacher working within a primary school setting, including head teachers. You do not need to be a leading mathematics teacher or a mathematics subject leader. As the programme is a whole school development programme, applicants will need to be recommended by, and have the support of, their head teacher.

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Education

    Course length
  • Part Time, 2 Years

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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  • Employability

    Careers

    In the first year, teachers will develop their understanding of how they learn mathematics and compare this with how their pupils’ learn. They will make changes to their pedagogy and evaluate the impact on pupils’ attainment.

    In the second year, the teacher will develop their coaching and mentoring skills to support colleagues in the school to develop an aspect of school improvement which will lead, in the longer term, to a sustained whole school implementation which raises pupil outcomes.

    The content will support those involved in becoming outstanding maths class teachers, maths subject leads as well as coaches and mentors in their schools.

About the course

The Mathematics Specialist Teacher programme (MaST) is a professional development programme for primary school teachers.

The programme would benefit teachers with a keen interest in developing their own practice as well as supporting colleagues to do the same.

By looking at the bigger picture in mathematics, through the big ideas that span and connect the mathematics curriculum, teachers will develop deeper insight and increase their capacity for seeing and making connections.

Why choose this course?

This is a significant opportunity for professional development which will place the participant at the cutting edge of teaching and learning in mathematics.

The course is delivered jointly by the University of Hertfordshire and mathematics advisers from Herts for Learning.

This is a part-time, 2 year programme.

This programme aims to support teachers to:

  • Understand how and why we teach fluency alongside conceptual understanding
  • Analyse popular initiatives such as ‘Singapore maths’ and ‘developing mastery’
  • Develop pedagogy which allows pupils to become confident, flexible problem-solvers

The programme aims to support schools to:

  • Build capacity across the school to deliver highly effective mathematics teaching
  • Develop teaching practice that secures learning and can ‘close the gap’ in attainment

What will I study?

There are 30 hours per year of face-to-face support delivered outside of school time, complemented by students completing directed tasks and assignments which will include reading, mathematical activities and classroom research.

  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Specialist Maths: algebra and geometry 30 Credits Compulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    Postgraduate Certificate in Education Download
    Postgraduate Certificate in Education Download
    Programme specifications
    Maths Specialist Teacher (MAST) - Postgraduate Certificate in Education Download
    Maths Specialist Teacher (MAST) - Postgraduate Certificate in Education Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

    Please note that some of the images and videos on our course pages may have been taken before social distancing rules in the UK came into force.