Mathematics with Education

Mathematics with education is a degree for students who want to develop deep mathematical competency alongside an understanding of how mathematics is taught, learned and communicated. Mathematics itself is the study of structure, number, space and change through precise reasoning and formal proof. Education, as an academic discipline, examines the processes by which knowledge and skills are developed, the institutions and policies through which learning is organised, and the pedagogical approaches that shape how effectively people learn.

Bringing the two together is particularly relevant for those considering a career in teaching, but also valuable for those who want to understand the foundations and practice of mathematical learning more broadly.

At the University of the West of Scotland you will study mathematics with education over four years of full-time study, developing mathematical ability across a range of areas including calculus, algebra, statistics and discrete mathematics alongside engagement with educational theory, pedagogy and the practice of mathematical teaching. The typical tariff of 200 reflects the mathematical rigour expected from those entering this programme and the strong academic foundations needed to succeed across both disciplines. The four-year structure allows you to develop genuine depth in mathematics while building the pedagogical knowledge and reflective practice that professional education requires.

Graduates of mathematics with education are well placed for careers in teaching at secondary school level, where mathematics teachers are consistently in demand and attract significant recruitment incentives. Many graduates go on to initial teacher education programmes to achieve qualified teacher status, using the subject knowledge and pedagogical foundations built during the degree as the basis for classroom practice. Others move into educational development, curriculum design, educational research, training and learning and development roles in organisations.

The quantitative skills developed through the mathematics component also open doors to data analysis, actuarial science, statistics and a range of analytically demanding roles where mathematical literacy is the core requirement.