Postgraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) - Mathematics Subject Knowledge Enhancement route

Entry requirements

All applicants for the SKE course must hold a degree or equivalent qualification (preferably with some mathematics content).You will need to have a pass at A-level in mathematics.

If you wish to discuss your qualifications further, please contact one of the tutors.

All candidates also have to:

• have a GCSE in English (grade 4 or above) or an equivalent qualification in addition to the mathematics qualification; alternatively they might be advised to take an Equivalency Test. The DfE require us to check the original certificates; you therefore cannot start an SKE course with the intention to progress to a PGDipEd (QTS) course unless you already hold these qualifications.
• pass Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy prior to starting the course; please see the Professional Skills Tests section of the Department for Education web site for more information on the core skills required by trainee teachers
• provide a satisfactory medical form
• complete an enhanced DBS/police check
• complete a Declaration of Suitability to Teach
• adhere to a Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise

Months of entry

October

Course content

The Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course, is a full time, campus-based conversion course for those who wish to teach mathematics but have a degree with relatively little mathematics content. The SKE course helps develop a deep understanding of mathematics at A level and beyond and includes some school experience.

Following successful completion of the SKE course, students are automatically eligible to take up their place on the PostGraduate Diploma Secondary Education (QTS) Mathematics course which currently attracts bursaries of up to £20,000 (depending on qualifications) in line with the government’s priority to attract more well qualified mathematics teachers as well as an additional £10,000 early-career payment once in teaching. Students may also be eligible for a scholarship of £22,000 in lieu of the bursary from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) in collaboration with the London Mathematical Society (LMS), the Mathematical Association (MA), Maths in Education and Industry (MEI) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS).

Following satisfactory completion of the PGDipEd course, plus a successful induction year in school, students can return to complete an MA in Teaching Studies (data collection and a 15,000 word dissertation).