The Cardiff Met PGCE Mathematics programme offers leading research informed training and support that will allow you to flourish in our outstanding Cardiff Partnership schools.

Mathematics is not the easiest subject to teach. It requires excellent subject knowledge, a passion for the subject and a deep understanding of the pedagogies that allow you to enhance and develop a young person’s grasp of this wonderful subject. Not only that, but you will also be expected to be a positive role model and support learners to overcome any mathematical anxiety that may have developed from their previous experiences of the subject.

Key Information

Available to study in English and Welsh

1 year full-time

Priority Subject Incentive Bursary

For entry requirements, pre-entry tests and how to apply, visit the PGCE Secondary course page.

Reputation & Teaching Excellence

The PGCE Mathematics programme is highly regarded by schools, leaders and teachers in Wales, nationally and internationally. University sessions are fun, collaborative, and challenging. Educational research is skilfully weaved throughout the programme to challenge and expand your thinking. Guest speakers from Partnership schools, regional consortia and external organisations such as the Further Maths Support Programme Wales (FMSPW) are brought in to enrich and enhance the taught provision.

Employability & Careers

Career prospects of mathematics teachers graduating from the Cardiff Partnership is extremely positive. Nearly all PGCE Mathematics graduates secure full-time work immediately after completing the PGCE programme and many continue to quickly progress into middle and senior management roles. The demand for Welsh-medium Mathematics teachers is exceptionally high and good student teachers are often offered their choice of roles across multiple schools in Wales!

Mathematics is also recognised as a priority subject by the Welsh Government, and so all successful graduates will receive a £15,000 bursary while you train in Wales for Mathematics and meet eligibility criteria.

What’s the best way to prepare for studying a PGCE in Mathematics?

Develop and refine your subject knowledge. In the first instance, look to complete a selection of WJEC GCSE Higher-Tier past papers. Can you remember how you were taught to solve quadratic equations, for example? Are there other methods that you might not be unaware of? If so, do some research online and trial these teaching methods before embarking on your teaching journey!

Once you have satisfied yourself with Higher-Tier GCSE, make sure that you look both up and down the Mathematics continuum! Can you remember how to introduce a Year 12 student to differentiation from first principles? Equally importantly, would you know how to navigate a conversation with a Year 7 pupil who asks, “Why do two minuses make a plus”? Remember, a great mathematician doesn’t necessarily make a great Mathematics teacher. However, a great Mathematics teacher who is also a great mathematician can change the world.

“The course at Cardiff Met is comprised of two school placements, university days and school-based training days, and I couldn’t praise the format of the course more. From the first day, the University tutors are supportive but don’t sugar-coat the truth; it’s an intense year of hard work and they are there to help and guide you. If you have the pleasure of working with Cameron, the Mathematics tutor, you’ll understand exactly what I mean – he’s calm, cool and gets the very best from his students.”

Chloe Davies, PGCE Secondary (Mathematics)

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Contact Us

For further information about the Secondary PGCE Mathematics, please contact Cameron Stewart, Programme Leader, at cgstewart@cardiffmet.ac.uk.