Overview

This pathway is designed for UK and international mathematics teachers and other professionals working in mathematics education, from primary schools to Higher Education, or those working in community-based settings.

You will be supported in integrating the theory and practice of teaching and learning mathematics by:

  • being an active researcher of your own and others' practice, including reworking your own practice;
  • carrying out small-scale research projects, one of which can act as a pilot project for the major work of your dissertation;
  • engaging with research literature, especially the current journals and activity of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education;
  • engaging with new developments in teaching and learning mathematics;
  • updating your mathematics knowledge;
  • writing assignments that show the emergence of a theoretical frame, presenting a literature search and developing ideas from a seminar;
  • becoming confident with presentation, argumentation, research and ICT skills.

The programme has been recognised as excellent by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics.

Programme structure

Our education master's degrees give you the opportunity to select a programme of study tailored towards your interests and learning needs. The range of degrees we offer means you will be able to specialise and receive an award in a particular discipline area.

Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Education (Mathematics Education). Please note that this pathway consists of core units that all students on the pathway must take and a range of optional units that students can choose from, within availability or timetabling constraints.

Alternatively, you can design your own pathway by opting not to specialise and to take those units that fit with your availability. Units can be taken from across the different specialisms and from our bank of available optional units to build a tailored programme of study, resulting in an award of MSc Education.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in a STEM-related discipline or related field such as Economics, Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration.

For applicants who are currently completing a degree, we understand that their final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades they achieve during their studies.

We will consider applicants whose interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements. We may make these applicants an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so the applicant would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of their degree. Specific module requirements may still apply.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

  • evidence of significant (minimum of 1 year) relevant work experience such as mathematics teaching experience, including learning support assistant for mathematics, or any research roles related to mathematics.
  • a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£11,900 per year
UK: part-time (two years)
£5,950 per year
UK: part-time (three years)
£3,967 per year
Overseas: full-time
£27,200 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

We offer academic and personal development opportunities to equip you for the intellectual, social and personal challenges you will encounter during your career.

Our overarching goal is to enable our education graduates to display the following characteristics:

  • equipped to demonstrate impact, excellence and distinctiveness in your chosen field;
  • visionary, imaginative, innovative, reflective and creative;
  • with high ideals and values, including a strong sense of social justice;
  • highly employable throughout the world;
  • adaptable, with the potential to be a leader in work and in the community.