PGCE M 14+ Mathematics (Numeracy ) Postgraduate Level at the University of Bolton

• You should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2.2 or above, or equivalent) in a relevant subject, plus a level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in mathematics (e.g. A-level Mathematics or an IMA Polymaths Certificate). If you don’t have the required mathematics qualifications, then the University has a pre-course task book and assessment that will enable you to show evidence of your mathematics skills at level 3, and that may be accepted as meeting the entry requirements.
• If your degree is not from a recognised UK higher education institution advice will be taken from the International Office on comparability.
• If your honours degree is in mathematics, and you wish to teach mathematics at Level 3 or above (e.g. A-level), please see our PGCE M 14+ (Specialism) course details or consider our PGCE Secondary Mathematics (11-18) course. However, if you would prefer to teach mathematics and numeracy up to and including Level 2 (e.g. GCSE) then this course is appropriate.
• If you have an HND, Foundation Degree or DipHE, please see our CertEd Certificate in Education 14+ course details.
• You must possess suitable Level 2 qualifications in English and Mathematics; for instance, GCSEs at grade 4-9 (or grade C or above) or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Mathematics. Please contact us for a list of other Level 2 equivalent qualifications that would be accepted for entry to this course.
• While previous teaching experience is not necessary for this course, prior relevant work experience in the area you wish to teach will significantly strengthen your application. The placement providers we work with greatly value and prefer relevant experience (paid or voluntary) because you can bring this broader experience into your teaching.
• You'll be required to attend an interview day as part of the application process. This will involve written diagnostic tests for English and mathematics, a short oral presentation, and a face-to-face interview. As part of your interview, you may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) to determine your suitability for the course.
• This course involves working unsupervised with young people and/or vulnerable 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.
• We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• 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.
• Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.

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 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (M) 14+ is a teacher education course for graduates who wish to teach in the Further Education and Skills sector of education; for example, in adult and community education, further education, sixth form colleges, the prison and probation services, pre-employment training and work-based learning.

This sector offers opportunities to work with further education learners who range in age from 14 years old to adult. These students come from different backgrounds and experiences and may enter further education from local schools, the community, industry or local businesses. There is no national curriculum in FE and therefore courses are often tailored to meet employer’s needs.

As part of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers, including communicating mathematical ideas clearly, team work, planning and the ability to solve problems, in relation to education.

What can I do with this qualification?

In addition to working in FE colleges, sixth-form colleges and schools, there are significant opportunities to work in a range of other educational sectors. The work-based learning sector ensures people are ready for work and have the latest skills. It includes working with apprentices, young people who are not yet 'job ready', and employed adults who need to update their skills. Job opportunities in this sector are often with training providers in the private sector, but they can also be within the work-based learning units in colleges.

The adult and community learning sector delivers a range of community-based courses, including practical and creative, basic skills, language and computer courses. The justice sector involves working in prisons and youth offender institutions, teaching basic skills. Some offender institutions offer vocational preparation courses. Much of this work is subcontracted to local FE colleges, who then provide relevant staff.

Alternative career options

PGCE M 14+ holders can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or further postgraduate study. Possible careers include:

• Higher education
• Education officer
• Mentoring
• Family liaison
• Educational psychology
• Education administration
• Student services advice
• Student liaison
• Educational writing and journalism
• Examinations
• Counselling
• Careers guidance
• Training
• Quality standards

The University of Bolton's Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) M 14+ programme meets the requirements of the FE-specific Diploma in Teaching (DiT) in the Further Education and Skills sector. All new FE and Skills teachers must complete a teacher education qualification as the first step in obtaining QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills).

If you are keen to pursue QTLS, please ensure you read the Society for Education and Training’s QTLS eligibility guidance before commencing this ITE programme. We especially draw your attention to the information about which English and mathematics qualifications are acceptable.

Please note, this course does not lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in schools. However, QTLS does legally have equivalence to QTS and is recognised by some head teachers in schools.

The Department for Education (DfE) sometimes makes training bursaries available to PGCE (M) 14+ students. Please note, that only students who possess GCSE Maths and English at grades C/4 will be eligible under DfE eligibility criteria. For information about possible bursaries, please visit our Bursaries for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Programmes webpage.

Home/EU Fees

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £9,250 for the academic year 2024/25.

International Fees

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

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.

We take a blended approach to teaching and learning, using a combination of face-to-face sessions, work-based learning and electronic resources and communications. You can expect timetabled classes and lectures, along with workshops, small group and individual practical activities, and structured exercises and discussions. Individual support will be given in tutorials. We'll encourage you to participate in online discussions with your peers and tutors, make full use of ICT as a source of information and support, and maintain a digital portfolio of evidence.

In most cases, work-based placements will be arranged for you in situations that meet the requirements for becoming a qualified teacher in the FE and Skills sector. They may involve daytime or evening teaching or both. For instance, you might be asked to teach GCSE mathematics at a sixth-form college, family budgeting to adult learners in the community, or numeracy to adult students on an access course at a college.

During your placements, your teaching practice will be assessed according to Ofsted guidelines 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.

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 that will help you complete your coursework.

To be awarded your PGCE M 14+ qualification, you'll need to demonstrate that you've met all the learning outcomes for the course. Our highly experienced and dedicated staff will guide and support you in this, but a significant amount of personal and independent study is essential, and you'll need to take responsibility for managing your own learning.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Preparation for Teaching and Learning (PTL)
• Subject Specialist Teaching Part 1
• Curriculum Innovation and Assessment
• Subject Specialist Teaching Part 2

Assessment methods

Level	Assessment method
Level 1	Coursework 100%

Learning Activities

Level	Activity
Level 1	Guided independent study 80% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20%

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.