BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education

A specialist pathway available to BSc (Hons) Mathematics students
teacher writing on the chalkboard/blackboard during a mathematics class. Image courtesy of Shutterstock
Are you ready to make the difference? Discover the formula for teaching mathematics with our expert staff and world leading researchers. The BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education degree introduces you to the theory that underpins teaching and learning of mathematics. You gain hands-on experience of the educational environment through a school placement and undertake a research project which allows you to investigate an area of mathematics education.
You will begin the first year of your journey on the BSc (Hons) Mathematics degree, during which you will develop a broad understanding of mathematics and statistics. In your second and final year, studying dedicated mathematics education modules alongside mathematics and statistics modules will enable you to graduate with the BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education degree. This combination of mathematical knowledge and educational experience will give you the skills and confidence to progress on to a teacher training course such as a PGCE, or to move into one of many careers where high-level mathematical skills are essential.

This degree pathway is offered as an option on our flexible BSc (Hons) Mathematics course. 

You will initially be enrolled on BSc (Hons) Mathematics, where you will follow a common first year so you acquire a mastery of the fundamental skills that characterise a mathematician. 

As your knowledge and understanding deepens, you will be able to follow your interests and, if you wish, transfer to one of our specialist pathways - BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education or BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance. 

How to apply

All application details, entry requirements and fee information can be found on the BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page.

Apply for BSc (Hons) Mathematics via UCAS

Why choose Mathematics with Education?

Studying on the Mathematics with Education degree is ideal if you think that you would like a career in teaching but also want to further your understanding of mathematics at degree level.
Teach in the classroom
A highlight of the final year is a school placement. Every Wednesday you help in a school mathematics department, and so develop your communication and presentation skills.
As well as this teaching experience, you write an individual project on an aspect of educational theory. Recent project titles include: 'Assessment for Learning in the Mathematics Classroom'; 'An Investigation into the Problem-solving Strategies Adopted by Children'; 'What Engages Children in the Mathematics Classroom?' and 'How Can the Move from Primary to Secondary School Be Made Easier?'.
This combination of time spent in the classroom and a strong theoretical underpinning gives you the skills, knowledge and confidence to progress to a teacher training course such as a PGCE. Most students progress to secondary teaching careers, but some also go into primary school teaching or other careers.
Outreach events
The Mathematics with Education Lead, Dr Jenny Sharp also runs a programme of outreach and masterclass enrichment events for schools in Devon and Cornwall. As a student on the BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education pathway, you have the option to be involved in these events from your first year. Having the opportunity to participate in these events, as a helper and as a workshop leader allows you to work with young people prior to the placement, building up additional experience and confidence in the classroom environment.

Why mathematics matters

Student Thomas Woodland-Scott tells us why children should learn about mathematics, and the opportunities that come from pursuing a mathematics degree.

Key Features

  • Gain classroom experience in a placement module, supporting mathematics teaching in a secondary or primary school for one morning a week throughout your final year. This will help you become an effective communicator.
  • Dr Jenny Sharp who leads the Education modules has worked with schools in many different capacities, and is regularly invited to run workshops and masterclasses all around the country, including at the Royal Institution, other universities and in schools.
  • An in-depth individual research project develops your knowledge of mathematical educational theory, an ideal preparation for teacher training courses.
  • Help others and gain hands on expertise by taking part in our Mathematics Enrichment Programme activities. You can gradually develop a workshop for a Mathematics masterclass.
  • Gain high level understanding of modern pure and applied mathematics, and statistics; this knowledge base opens up many mathematical careers to you.
  • Study the established theories on learning and human development, applying them to examples of educational practice from current research and your own experience.

Year 1
Mathematics has applications everywhere and is a vital subject for the future. This means that the study of mathematics education is of high importance. In your first year, you’ll build a solid mathematical foundation that underpins mathematics education and the rest of your degree including the essential topics of calculus, matrices, computational mathematics, probability and data science. You won’t just learn the theory; you’ll master Python programming, a skill that is now routinely taught in schools.
Throughout the course, you will benefit from direct support from expert lecturers in small, friendly group sessions designed to give you a truly personalised experience. By the end of your first year, you’ll not only be primed for success on the course but you’ll have the freedom to tailor your journey, with the flexibility to switch to one of our other exciting specialist mathematics degrees if your interest change.

Core modules:
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Calculus
  • Linear Algebra
  • Analysis and Group Theory
  • Probability
  • Numerical Methods
  • Stage 1 mathematics placement preparation
See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

Year 2
In Year 2, you’ll take both mathematical and education learning to the next level. Experts from the Plymouth Institute of Education will introduce you to the theory of learning and of educational practice. As skilled statistics teachers are in demand, we provide you with a dedicated data modelling module.
You won’t just deepen your knowledge; you’ll sharpen your employability skills. In our case studies from industry module, you’ll apply mathematics to genuine business challenges, mastering operational research - the mathematics of decision making in business.
You will be taught Monte Carlo methods, which are industry-standard techniques used to solve intricate logistical problems, the same tools used in finance, engineering, and supply chain optimisation around the world.
By the end of your second year, you won’t just have a deep understanding of key mathematical and education concepts, you’ll have a cutting-edge toolkit of modern problem-solving and presentation skills that employers are searching for.

Core modules:
  • Advanced Calculus
  • Statistical Inference and Regression
  • Algebra and Transforms
  • Differential Equations
  • Operational Research
  • Learning Matters
  • Stage 2 mathematics placement preparation
See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

Optional placement year
Our placement year is your chance to step into the real world and make an immediate impact. You’ll apply your mathematical and education expertise within a professional context, from industry to education and government to healthcare, and beyond. Whether you’re optimising business strategies, driving innovation, or contributing to life-changing research, you’ll see first-hand how powerful and versatile your skills really are.
Not only will you gain invaluable experience and confidence, but many of our placement students secure graduate roles as a direct result of their year in industry. In addition to the skills and experiences you will gain, placement salaries are typically around £20,000.
When you return to Plymouth, you’ll come back energised and inspired, ready to excel in your final year.

Final year
In your final year, you’ll take the leap from theory to practice with our dynamic school placement module. One morning each week, across two school terms, you’ll work directly with experienced mathematics teachers, gaining real classroom experience, building your confidence, and discovering if teaching is the career for you.
You’ll sharpen your communication, leadership, and organisational skills, these will set you apart in any career. A standout feature of the final year is your project work, on a topic you’re passionate about, guided by an expert education mentor who’ll help you turn your curiosity into insight. Your next adventure may be a PGCE, professional graduate job, or further study. Whatever you want, you will be exceptionally well placed for future success.

Core modules:
  • Professional experience in mathematics education.
  • Education project.
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Optimisation, Networks and Graphs
See BSc (Hons) Mathematics course page for full module listings

Paul Gerry: why choose to study mathematics with education?

"The reason I chose mathematics with education is that the specialism of the education comes in the final year. I wanted to get a feel for if teaching is the right thing for me. The course is the reason I came to Plymouth."
Rebecca Dodge: PGCE student and winner of IMA Scholarship

Rebecca Dodge: Mathematics teacher and winner of IMA scholarship

"Having the support of a project mentor throughout my final year project meant that I could further my understanding of mathematics within education and how to research literature, analyse it and draw conclusions, all within the confines of a word limit. I would strongly recommend the mathematics and education degree as a brilliant route into the PGCE course."

More graduate stories

Get an overview of what our graduates get up to

Becky - Secondary Mathematics Teacher
One of the many reasons I chose to study Mathematics with Education was the chance to gain valuable experience in a school during my third year

Nathan - Head of Mathematics Department
The course allowed me to get both an insight into teaching and a mathematics degree at the same time – essential if I decided teaching was not for me

Rebecca - Marketing Research Assistant
Plymouth offered me the type of course I was looking for, whilst studying in a lovely area where I felt I could enjoy three years of my life

  • 6In the 2022 National Student Survey, 100% of our final year students said that ‘Staff are good at explaining things’.*

  • rAccredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

Featured modules

Maths featured module - ordinary differential equations
Differential equations

Did you know that the differential equation which describes the change in price of stock market options is, in disguise, the same equation that describes how heat diffuses through materials?
Maths featured module mathematical reasoning
Mathematical reasoning

Understand how your credit-card details are kept secure when you shop online and the amazing maths behind it.
Zener. Maths featured module real and complex analysis
Real and complex analysis

Based on the ideas of analysis this module introduces the notions of convergence and divergence and hence allows the study of trends in sequences of numbers and data.
Featured module: Operational research and Monte Carlo Methods
Operational research

In this module you will work on an open-ended case study inspired by real-life problems and developed in cooperation with companies such as Babcock International.
Featured module: fluid dynamics
Fluid Dynamics

Fluid dynamics is everywhere – from the air we breathe, to the oceans that sustain our planet, to the industries that power our economy. Explore one of the most vibrant areas of modern applied mathematics.
Featured module: Data modelling centered
Statistical data modelling

Recent coursework in this module has involved fitting models to COVID-19 cases, comparing engine performance under different environmental conditions, and using historic data to assess how life expectancy has increased over time.

People

  • Lecturer in Mathematics Education
    Senior Personal Tutor, Mathematics Education Lead
  • Associate Head of School (UG Education)
    Lead of the Plymouth GPU Research Centre
  • Associate Professor in Mathematics
    Associate Head of School for Mathematical Sciences, Pure Mathematician
  • Lecturer in Mathematics
    Programme Manager, Applied Mathematician
  • Lecturer in Pure Mathematics
    Admissions Tutor for Mathematical Sciences
  • Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics
    Associate Member CERN theory group
  • Head of School and substantive Professor of Mathematics
  • Lecturer in Applied Mathematics/Theoretical Physics
    Foundation Year Programme Manager
  • Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics
    Final Year Tutor, Otto Hahn Medal winner
  • Associate Professor in Theoretical Physics
    Theoretical Physicist, Member User Forum of the UK Central Laser Facility
  • Emeritus Professor
  • Lecturer in Data Science/Statistics
    First Year Tutor
  • Lecturer in Theoretical Physics
    Mathematical Sciences Employability Lead, Member HPQCD collaboration
  • Associate Professor in Mathematics and Statistics
    Senior Fellow of the HE Academy
  • Lecturer in Mathematical Sciences
    Applied Mathematician
  • Associate Head of School (Resources)
    First Year Tutor, Royal Statistical Society South West Local Group Secretary

Mathematical sciences degrees

The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics offers a suite of undergraduate mathematical sciences degrees, including Mathematics with other subjects.There is a great deal off flexibility to transfer between these degrees, allowing you to specialise in the area of your choice, as your knowledge and understanding deepens. Discover which mathematics degree is right for you.

Tailor your degree to suit your interests and career goals

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Build your confidence

Spend your first year acquiring a mastery of the fundamental skills that characterise a mathematician. Modules include calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods and probability.
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Develop your interests

As your knowledge and understanding deepen you may choose to take advantage of the flexibility provided by this course.
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Choose your pathway

Elect to continue along the BSc (hons) Mathematics pathway or select one of our specialist pathways - BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Education or BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Finance.