Professional Education (Primary) with specialism in Numeracy

Professional education for primary teaching with a specialism in numeracy is a degree that prepares you for the classroom at the primary level while developing particular depth in mathematics education. Primary school is where children form their foundational relationships with number, and the quality of mathematics teaching at this stage has consequences that extend throughout a child's educational career and beyond. A teacher who understands both how mathematics works and how children learn to make sense of it is exceptionally well placed to make a lasting positive difference.

At the University of Stirling, this four-year, full-time degree qualifies you to teach in Scottish primary schools while also developing your expertise in numeracy as a specialism. You will spend extensive time in the classroom throughout the programme, gaining practical teaching experience from the outset in schools that partner with the university. The academic component develops your understanding of child development, pedagogy, assessment, curriculum, and the research base that supports effective teaching practice, alongside the mathematical knowledge and teaching methods that inform excellent numeracy education.

A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to study educational approaches in a different national context. The typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the competitive nature of entry to a professional teaching qualification programme.

Graduates of this programme enter the profession as qualified primary teachers in Scotland. The combination of a primary teaching qualification and a numeracy specialism is particularly valuable at a time when mathematical literacy is a national priority and when schools are keen to develop staff with genuine expertise in mathematics education. Career progression within primary teaching can lead to subject specialist, depute head, and headship roles.

Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in education or curriculum leadership to develop their practice and career further.