Secondary Teaching Mathematics, Science, ICT with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - BSc 


What Makes This Course So Special?

These courses are unique in Wales; the degree combinations are in subjects designated by the Welsh Government as priority subjects and, in offering training in two subjects, employment prospects are excellent. You can gain a degree and achieve Qualified Teacher Status in just two years and gain a qualification that is recognised worldwide.
This innovative programme attracts people from a variety of backgrounds and professions who are looking for the career satisfaction of using their skills to engage and develop young people.

The University works closely with Secondary schools to provide an exciting course which is high on challenge but equally high on support. If it's secondary school teaching you want, try us first!

Course Intro

Have you always wanted to teach but don’t have a degree? Are you enthusiastic about mathematics, science or ICT and want to share your enthusiasm with others? With a shortage of secondary school teachers in Mathematics and Science, people from all backgrounds are being actively encouraged to enter teaching.

Be fully qualified to teach in two years.
You can choose from the following pathways:
• Mathematics with ICT
• Mathematics with Science
• Science with Mathematics
• Science with ICT

The degree is unique in Wales and is extremely popular with those seeking a career change or new opportunity, those wishing to build upon existing higher education credits and those with overseas qualifications.

Schools need enthusiastic teachers who have a subject specialism but who can also teach in other disciplines. We have an established reputation for the quality of our secondary teacher training and this has been recognised in the last Estyn inspection where the top rating was awarded for support and guidance.

What you study

This course is an integrated university and secondary school-based programme with a focus on development of subject knowledge and the practical skills required to become an effective and innovative teacher.

The programme offers you:
•  A relevant vocational degree that is embedded in classroom practice
• Small student teacher groups, regular tutorials and a high level of pastoral care
• Strong collaborative partnerships between the University and local secondary schools
• Delivery by a programme team who have  a breadth of experience of working with student teachers in a range of contexts and settings
• Access to excellent facilities

At university you will undertake (i) degree level study in your specialist subjects and (ii) teaching studies to introduce you to a range of current educational issues.

The school-based element involves block practices where you work with school mentors and university tutors to develop your teaching skills. If you are fluent in Welsh you may undertake school experience in a Welsh-medium school.

In Wales, you do not have to take the National Skills tests to be recommended for the award of QTS.

A programme specification is available for BSc Secondary Maths with ICT with QTS

A programme specification is available for BSc Secondary Maths with Science with QTS

A programme specification is available for BSc Secondary Science with Maths with QTS

Where Next?

The shortage of teachers of mathematics, science and ICT in secondary schools ensures that graduates from this course can expect rapid career progression. On qualification, you may apply for teaching posts, both within and outside Wales.

Interview Required

Yes. Tutors will be looking for a commitment to teaching and the personal and academic qualities needed for secondary teaching.

Assessment

Assessment includes written coursework tasks, seminar presentations, projects and examinations. Practical teaching will be assessed each year in relation to the Professional Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Student Soundbite

“All I have ever wanted to do is teach but I didn’t know the best route into teaching. Then I came to Newport and found out about this two year teaching degree. It’s worked out perfectly as I was able to use my previous higher education credits and didn’t have to go back to start a degree all over again.”


Experiences Gained
Student Successes
Teaching Team

Our professional studies programme is delivered in collaboration with outside speakers who are at the cutting edge of their field.  In recent years student teachers have benefited from a two day Pupils Health and Well-being Conference in partnership with  Children in Wales, Drugaid, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Funky Dragon – The children and Young People’s Assembly for Wales,  FUSION, Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service, Newport, Gwent Health Care NHS Trust, Newport City Council, NSPCC  and WISE Kids.  

Field trips are organised to support the work trainees do on the course as well as covering Key Stage 3 and 4 topics and Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship ESDGC concepts trainees will be teaching on their block school practical teaching experience and ultimately as qualified teachers.   Recent trips for science trainees include a visit to the Talybont-on-Usk hydro-electric power community project, the income from which is used to fund sustainability projects including an electric car ; calculating the amount of energy that could be generated from a fast flowing stream in the Brecon Beacons and a visit with mathematics trainees to Llandegfedd reservoir with a task to reconnoitre the area and makes plans for a school trip suitable for either a mathematics or science class. 

Mathematics student teachers have the opportunity to support STEM  (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities through collaboration with the Smallpeice Trust





Careful consideration is given to the distinctive nature of education in Wales and Y Cwricwlwm Cymreig and, if you are Welsh-speaking, you have the opportunity to undertake your school placement in a Welsh medium school.

By undertaking your training in Wales you will not be required to take the National Skills Test to be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.   Your qualification will enable you to apply for your first teaching post in Wales or England and after completing your induction year, worldwide.  



 



Chris Silvester:
  "Redundancy forced me to evaluate my career options and having done some teaching in a school I knew that I loved teaching and mathematics was definitely the subject I wanted to teach. I knew I needed to top up my subject knowledge because my degree in Sport Recreational Management did not contain enough mathematics for entry on to a Secondary Mathematics PGCE course.  The two year course here at Newport has been perfect; my subject knowledge has been boosted and I have gained qualified teacher status (QTS) at the same time without the need for further postgraduate study."  
Chris is now a successful mathematics teacher at St Joseph's RC School Newport.   


Furthi Mavimbela:   "I'm from Swaziland, I taught at a secondary school in Swaziland for three and a half years before coming to the UK.  To teach in the UK I needed to get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and after reading the contents of various similar courses I found Newport was offering a better course, enabling me to train in two subjects – mathematics and science – when others only offered me one. 
Having already completed a BSc in Agricultural Education overseas I was pleased that the qualification was taken into account to meet the entry requirements for the two year shortened degree with QTS.   I'm teaching now, having been appointed  several months before I had actually finished my course; I took up the post immediately I finished my training."

Dr Kerie Green
Dr Ronald Johnston
David Longman
Dr Ceri Pugh
Dr Carol Wood
David Tennant
Elizabeth Neal (Placement Officer)



Key Facts
Year of Entry

September 2013

Course Code
XG1C - Secondary Mathematics with Science with QTS
XG11 - Secondary Mathematics with ICT with QTS
XF1A - Secondary Science with Mathematics with QTS
XF10 - Secondary Science with ICT with QTS

Duration
2 years. Normally, students either attend the University or are on school placement 5 days a week.

Entry Requirements

•  Successful completion of 1 year of higher
 education (120 HE credits at level 4) in a related
 subject(s)*
•  GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent)** in
 mathematics and English language
•  Interview
•  1 week’s observation in a primary school and 1
 week in a secondary school - this may be
 completed before or after the interview
•  CRB check and Health Declaration

*Successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education Introduction to Secondary Teaching course with 120 HE credits  meets these entry requirements.
**Suitable candidates who do not have these GCSEs may take the University’s written tests in either or both subjects..

Campus
Caerleon

Full-time
Yes

Part-time
No

Home/EU Fees
Fee Information

Find out more
All Enquiries 
University Information Centre
University of Wales, Newport
Caerleon Campus
Lodge Road
Caerleon
Newport
South Wales
NP18 3QT

Tel: (01633) 432432
Fax: (01633) 432046

Email:uic@newport.ac.uk 

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