BSc Hons Mathematics with Teaching
ApplyKey facts
- UCAS Code: G1XC
- Accreditation: Institute of Mathematics and its Applications & General Teaching Council for Scotland
Study with us
- combine an Institute of Mathematics and its Applications accredited course with the education theory and classroom experience required for recognition by the General Teaching Council for Scotland
- benefit from a professional teaching qualification which is recognised across the UK and overseas
- take part in secondary school placements
- qualify to enter the paid probationary year as a teacher of mathematics in Scottish secondary schools
- benefit from the flexibility to transfer between courses
Why this course?
This joint Honours degree covers the curriculum of the BSc Honours Mathematics degree, plus the education theory and classroom experience required for recognition by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
In four years, you’ll gain a joint Honours degree along with a professional teaching qualification and will be qualified to enter the probationary year as a teacher of mathematics in Scottish secondary schools.
Students on the BSc (Honours) in Mathematics course for the first two years can transfer to the Mathematics with Teaching course guaranteed (subject to progress requirements) for the start of 3rd year.

What you'll study
Years 1 & 2
You’ll follow the same curriculum as the BSc (Honours) in Mathematics; you study core mathematical methods and classes in calculus, geometry, applied analysis, mechanics, analysis, and probability and statistics.
Year 3
Will be devoted to studying a mixture of level 3 and level 4 Mathematics and Statistics classes.
Year 4
In this year you will take classes that develop the pedagogy of teaching.
Alongside these classes, a major part of year 4 in the School of Education at Strathclyde is school placements in Scottish secondary schools. There are 18 weeks of placement in total with one placement in each semester of the programme.
Placement one operates on a model of solo teaching, team teaching and observation of your colleagues within the science department in which you are based. This progression is designed to support you in developing your confidence at this early stage of your teaching journey.
The second placement is longer with greater expectations on you in terms of planning for greater periods of responsibility, becoming an active member in your science department and gaining the confidence to get involved in the wider life of the school. The aim here is to see you become a rounded practitioner ready for your own classroom.
Placement is your chance to put what you are learning into practice, and you will be encouraged to explore your own teaching style, learn new techniques and develop relationships with your pupils. You will be assessed during placements and school and University staff will assist your professional development in ways that should help you meet the ‘Standard for Provisional Registration’ set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). Successful completion of the course will see you enter a guaranteed probationary year in a Scottish local authority school where you will be supported further with mentoring and a reduced timetable in your first year.
Facilities
You’ll have access to well-equipped, modern computing laboratories and teaching rooms, as well as 24-hour access to an advanced computer information network and a sophisticated virtual e-learning environment. We have also an undergraduate common room which gives you a modern and flexible area that's used for individual and group study work, and is also a relaxing social space.
Work placement
You'll spend parts of the course on placement in a school within Scotland, working throughout the full working day, attending school on staff in-service days and being continually assessed while there.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications for the purpose of meeting in full the educational requirement for chartered status.
Accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Learning & teaching
The following teaching methods are used in Mathematics & Statistics: lectures (using a variety of media including electronic presentations and computer demonstrations), tutorials, coursework and projects.
You’ll also learn through structured group work in problem-solving and collaborative student presentations.
On completion of the programme, you’ll be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge in the main areas of mathematics and the initial teacher education
- show an understanding of the principal mathematical and educational theories and a critical understanding of one or more specialised areas
- demonstrate skills in calculation
- develop and evaluate logical arguments, presenting them and their conclusions clearly and accurately
- demonstrate problem-solving skills, for example, abstracting the essentials of problems, formulating them mathematically and finding appropriate solutions
- undertake a critical analysis of data and draw conclusions from the data
- demonstrate a range of general skills, including IT competency
Assessment
In mathematics & statistics, knowledge, understanding, and subject-specific skills are assessed by coursework, assignment, reports, presentations and written examinations.
The education element of the course includes practical time observing and teaching in school classrooms.
What our students think
Course content
Please note that not all of these compulsory classes will be available each year.
Introduction to Calculus
You'll study the basic concepts and standard methods of mathematical notation and proof, polynomial equations and inequalities, sequences and series, functions, limits and continuity, differentiation and integration.
Applications of Calculus
The fundamental concepts of calculus (differentiation and integration) presented in Applications of Calculus will be examined in more detail, extended to a larger class of functions by means of more sophisticated methods, including an introduction to complex numbers and variables, all demonstrated in application to practical problems including solving basic first and second-order differential equations.
Geometry & Algebra with Applications
This class will introduce you to vectors and matrices, along with the idea of mathematical modelling through their application to real-world problems.
Statistics & Data Presentation
Some basic ideas and techniques of statistics will be presented while introducing some essential study skills, allowing you to develop and practice personal and technical skills eg self-study, teamwork, analysing data, writing reports and making presentations.
Applying Mathematics 1
To introduce students to some elementary number theory with interesting modern applications. Codes and encryption: problem description and motivation. Mathematical background: natural numbers and integers, factorisation, proof by induction, highest common factor, lowest common multiple, Euclidean Algorithm, prime numbers and the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, Diophantine equations, modular arithmetic, congruence mod n, solving equations in Zn, Euler's phi-function and theorem. Applications to International Standard Book Numbers, Universal Product Codes, affine and exponential ciphers, and the RSA cryptosystem.
Applying Mathematics 2
To introduce students to areas of mathematics (graph theory) not usually met in school or college courses. Graph theory: Problem description and motivation (e.g. Konigsberg Bridge, three utilities problem, the travelling salesman problem). Graphs, multigraphs, isomorphic graphs, sub-graphs, paths, trails, circuits and cycles, Eulerian and Hamiltonian graphs, weighted graphs, minimal spanning trees, critical path analysis, planar graphs, Euler’s formula, Colouring of Graphs, Digraphs, Network Flows, and Social Network Analysis. Brief introduction to network science.
Linear Algebra & Differential Equations
This class will introduce you to the basic ideas of linear algebra, such as matrices and determinants, vector spaces, bases, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. You'll study various standard methods for solving ordinary differential equations and understand their relevance.
Advanced Calculus
Basic ideas, techniques and results for calculus of two and three variables, along with differentiation and integration over curves, surfaces and volumes of both scalar and vector fields will be presented.
Applicable Analysis
This class will give a rigorous treatment of convergence of sequences and infinite series of real numbers and of continuity, differentiability and integrability of functions of a real variable, and will illustrate the importance of these concepts in the analysis of problems arising in applications.
Probability & Statistical Inference
Presentation of the basic concepts of probability theory and statistical inference will be covered to provide you with the tools to appropriately analyse a given data set and effectively communicate the results of such analysis.
Introduction to Newtonian Mechanics
This class will develop your appreciation of the basic concepts of force, momentum and energy, and of Newton’s laws of motion and will equip you to apply these concepts to model physical systems, in particular the orbital motion of bodies.
Mathematical & Statistical Computing
This class will introduce you to the R computing environment. It'll enable you to use R to import data and perform statistical tests, allow you to understand the concept of an algorithm and what makes a good algorithm and will equip you for implementing simple algorithms in R.
Compulsory classes
Differential Equations (20 credits)
We'll introduce you to analytical methods for solving ordinary and partial differential equations so you'll develop an understanding along with technical skills in this area.
Inference & Regression Modelling
This class will:
- review the concepts of probability distributions and how to work with these
- present approaches to parameter estimation, focusing on maximum likelihood estimation, bootstrap estimation, and properties of estimators
- present hypothesis testing procedures, including classical likelihood ratio tests and computer-based methods for testing parameter values, and goodness-of-fit tests.
- introduce and provide understanding of the least squares multiple regression model, general linear model, transformations and variable selection procedures
- present use of R functions for regression and interpretation of R output
Optional classes
Linear Algebra
Here we'll introduce basic algebraic structures, with particular emphasis on those pertaining to finite dimensional linear spaces and deepen your understanding of linear mappings. We'll also provide an introduction to inner product spaces and bilinear forms.
Mechanics of Rigid Bodies & Fluids
This class will:
- convey the generalisation of the mechanics of single-particle systems to many-particle systems
- convey the central ideas of a continuum description of material behaviour and to understand relevant constraints
- ground students in the basic principles governing three-dimensional motions of rigid bodies
- convey how the ideas of continuum theory are applied to static and inviscid fluids
Modelling & Simulation with Applications to Financial Derivatives (20 credits)
Here you'll get an introduction to ideas in mathematics and statistics that can be used to model real systems, with an emphasis on the valuation of financial derivatives. This module places equal emphasis on deterministic analysis (calculus, differential equations) and stochastic analysis (Brownian motion, birth and death processes). In both cases, in addition to theoretical analysis, appropriate computational algorithms are introduced. The first half of the class introduces general modelling and simulation tools, and the second half focuses on the specific application of valuing financial derivatives, including the celebrated Black-Scholes theory.
Applicable Analysis 3 (20 credits)
This class will present the main results in Functional Analysis, give an introduction to linear operators on Banach and Hilbert spaces and study applications to integral and differential equations.
Statistical Modelling & Analysis (20 credits)
This class will provide you with a range of applied statistical techniques that can be used in professional life.
Fluids & Waves (20 credits)
You'll be introduced to the theory of Newtonian fluids and its application to flow problems and the dynamics of waves on water and in other contexts.
Finite Element Methods for Boundary Value Problems & Approximation (20 credits)
You'll be presented with the basic theory and practice of finite element methods and polynomial and piecewise polynomial approximation theory.
Applied Statistics in Society (20 credits)
You'll be introduced to a range of modern statistical methods and practices used in industry, commerce and research, and will develop skills in your application and presentation.
Mathematical Biology & Marine Population Modelling (20 credits)
Here you'll learn the application of mathematical models to a variety of problems in biology, medicine, and ecology. It'll show the application of ordinary differential equations to simple biological and medical problems, the use of mathematical modelling in biochemical reactions, the application of partial differential equations in describing spatial processes such as cancer growth and pattern formation in embryonic development, and the use of delay-differential equations in physiological processes. The marine population modelling element will introduce the use of difference models to represent population processes through applications to fisheries, and the use of coupled ODE system to represent ecosystems. Practical work will include example class case studies that will explore a real-world application of an ecosystem model.
Mathematical Introduction to Networks (20 credits)
This class will demonstrate the central role network theory plays in mathematical modelling. It'll also show the intimate connection between linear algebra and graph theory and how to use this connection to develop a sound theoretical understanding of network theory. Finally, it'll apply this theory as a tool for revealing structure in networks.
Medical Statistics (20 credits)
Students will learn new statistical methodology and apply it to real data from medical research studies, with an emphasis on the interpretation of the statistical results in the context of the medical problem being investigated. This skill is necessary for the application of statistics to medical data and differs from the traditional, standard interpretation of statistical textbook problems.
Compulsory classes
Educational Studies: Professional Values
This class will explore the theoretical underpinnings of education: its nature and purpose, its ethical and political significance in terms of social justice, equality and the environment, and the expression of these ideas in policy and legislation.
Professional Learning Through Enquiry
Professional Learning through Enquiry aims to develop students as enquiring, self-reflective practitioners who are able to work collaboratively to develop skills, knowledge and expertise in an area of professional practice that will benefit children and young people throughout Scotland and beyond.
Professional Skills: Professional Practice
In this module, students will explore, experience and extend the links between effective pedagogy, the curriculum and the learner’s experience in a secondary school environment.
Professional Skills: Curriculum and Pedagogy Mathematics 1
This module will provide active and collaborative opportunities for students to explore how to plan discrete, integrated, and interdisciplinary curricular learning with a particular focus on the teaching of mathematics.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements are for September 2023 entry.
Required subjects are shown in brackets.
Highers | Standard entry requirements*:Year 1 entry: AABB/ABBBC (Maths A, English C, Advanced Higher Maths recommended) Minimum entry requirements**:BBBB (including Maths at B, English at C and 70% in Strathclyde Summer School Mathematics) or ABBB (Maths A, English C) |
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Advanced Highers | Year 2 entry: AB (Maths A, Higher English C) |
A Levels | Standard entry requirements*:Year 1 entry: BBB (Maths B, GCSE English Language 4/C and Literature 4/C) Year 2 entry: ABB (Maths A, GCSE English Language 4/C and Literature 4/C) |
International Baccalaureate | Standard entry requirements*:Year 1 entry: 30 (Mathematics HL5, English SL6) (Mathematics HL6, English SL6) |
HNC | Year 1 entry: relevant HNC with strong mathematical content, B in Graded Unit |
International students | International students should apply to our BSc Hons Mathematics with Teaching (International). |
Deferred entry | Accepted |
Additional information
Students are required to register with the Scottish Government’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme (PVG) before they start year 4 of the programme.
Please note that applicants who are made an offer of study will be required to attend an interview.
*Standard entry requirements
Offers are made in accordance with specified entry requirements although admission to undergraduate programmes is considered on a competitive basis and entry requirements stated are normally the minimum level required for entry.
Whilst offers are made primarily on the basis of an applicant meeting or exceeding the stated entry criteria, admission to the University is granted on the basis of merit, and the potential to succeed. As such, a range of information is considered in determining suitability.
In exceptional cases, where an applicant does not meet the competitive entry standard, evidence may be sought in the personal statement or reference to account for performance which was affected by exceptional circumstances, and which in the view of the judgement of the selector would give confidence that the applicant is capable of completing the programme of study successfully.
**Minimum entry requirements
Why Eva chose Maths with Teaching
In the video below, Eva tells us why she chose to study Maths with Teaching and what she hopes to do after she graduates:
Widening access
We want to increase opportunities for people from every background. Strathclyde selects our students based on merit, potential and the ability to benefit from the education we offer. We look for more than just your grades. We consider the circumstances of your education and will make lower offers to certain applicants as a result.
Degree preparation course for international students
We offer international students (non-EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Strathclyde the option of completing an Undergraduate Foundation year programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' sectionFees & funding
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year should be aware that tuition fees are revised annually and may increase in subsequent years of study. Annual increases will generally reflect UK inflation rates and increases to programme delivery costs.
Scotland | 2023/24: £1,820 Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland are subject to confirmation by the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish undergraduate students undertaking an exchange for a semester/year will continue to pay their normal tuition fees at Strathclyde and will not be charged fees by the overseas institution. |
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England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9,250* *Assuming no change in fees policy over the period, the total amount payable by undergraduate students will be capped. For students commencing study in 2023/24, this is capped at £27,750 (with the exception of the MPharm and integrated Masters programmes), MPharm students pay £9,250 for each of the four years. Students studying on integrated Masters degree programmes pay an additional £9,250 for the Masters year with the exception of those undertaking a full-year industrial placement where a separate placement fee will apply. |
International | £17,400 |
University preparation programme fees | International students can find out more about the costs and payments of studying a university preparation programme at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre. |
Additional costs | Course materials & costsClass materials (lecture notes and exercise sheets) for the majority of Mathematics & Statistics classes are available free to download. For some classes, students may need access to a textbook. Textbook costs are typically in the £20-60 price range. These prices are dependent on format (e-book, soft or hardback) and whether bought new or second hand. PlacementsTravel to placement schools: costs vary depending on distance to school. Students using their own transport may incur additional insurance costs. PVG scheme (Protection of Vulnerable Groups)Third-year Maths and Teaching students will need to pay for the full price of a PVG membership scheme (£59). International studentsInternational students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
Available scholarships | Take a look at our scholarships search for funding opportunities. |
Please note: All fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
How can I fund my studies?
Students from Scotland
Fees for students who meet the relevant residence requirements in Scotland, you may be able to apply to the Student Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government. Scottish students may also be eligible for a bursary and loan to help cover living costs while at University.
For more information on funding your studies have a look at our University Funding page.
Students from England, Wales & Northern Ireland
We have a generous package of bursaries on offer for students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales:
You don’t need to make a separate application for these. When your place is confirmed at Strathclyde, we’ll assess your eligibility. Have a look at our scholarship search for any more funding opportunities.
International Students
We have a number of scholarships available to international students. Take a look at our scholarship search to find out more.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest & most cosmopolitan city
Our campus is based right in the very heart of Glasgow. We're in the city centre, next to the Merchant City, both of which are great locations for sightseeing, shopping and socialising alongside your studies.
Life in GlasgowCareers
Graduates from this course will follow with the paid probationary year in teaching. This leads to employment opportunities within a variety of local authorities as a secondary school teacher.
How much will I earn?
The starting annual salary for a probationer teacher in Scotland is £21,867. After your probationary year, your salary will increase to £26,235 and increase an increment each year up to £34,887. A principal teacher can earn up to £49,086 while a headteacher can earn from £43,137 to £84,201.
If you teach in a remote school or on certain islands you may get an additional allowance: £1,928 for a distance island and £1,320 or £2,475 for a remote school.
Visit Teach Scotland website for more information.
Apply
International students should apply to our BSc Hons Mathematics with Teaching (International).
Start date:
Mathematics with Teaching (1 year entry)
Start date:
Mathematics with Teaching (2 year entry)
Contact us
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