Program Overview

The program in question is a PhD in Mathematics Education, focusing on designing classroom tasks to improve students' learning of mathematics.

Qualification(s) Available

• PhD

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree and relevant experience in education and a strong interest in schools and mathematics.

Fees for Entry

• UK fee: £5,006 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £22,360 Full-time degree per annum

Duration

• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: 6 years

Start Date

• April 2026

Application Deadline

• 31 January 2026

Project Reference

• ME/CF-SF1/2025

Location

• Loughborough

Subject Area(s)

• Mathematics Education

Project Details

A project in this area will aim to improve our knowledge about effective school mathematics task design. Many learners experience neither success nor enjoyment from their study of mathematics, and yet success in school mathematics functions as a gatekeeper to young people’s future opportunities, including employment, economic and social stability and health and wellbeing. The tasks that learners are given to do in mathematics lessons are a major factor influencing what they can learn, and improving the design of classroom mathematics tasks has the potential to give learners a more rewarding and positive experience. This project would draw on insights from mathematics education and cognitive science to develop knowledge about how to improve the design of classroom tasks for secondary school mathematics.

Supervisors

• Primary supervisor: Colin Foster

English Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.

How to Apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select Mathematics Education Centre. Please quote the advertised reference number: ME/CF-SF/2025 in your application.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Entry Requirements for International Students

The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:

• For students from China, the requirements vary based on the Shanghai ranking of their university.
• For students from other countries, the requirements are as follows:
  • Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
  • Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare, 9.5
  • Algeria: Licence, 16
  • Argentina: Licenciatura, 8.5
  • Armenia: Bakalavri Kochum, 90% or 3.9
  • Australia: Honours degree, First Class, 80%
  • Austria: Degree, A (or 1.5)
  • Azerbaijan: Bakalavr Diplomu, 4.5 or 90%
  • Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 1st (70%)
  • Barbados: University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Belarus: Specialist Diploma, 9
  • Belgium: Bachelor degree, 80% or 17
  • Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Benin: Maitrise, 18
  • Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Bolivia: Licenciado, 8.5 or 85%
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja, 10
  • Botswana: Master's degree, A or 80%
  • Brazil: Brazil, 8.5
  • Brunei: Brunei, First
  • Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie, 6
  • Burundi: Masters or Diplôme d'Études Approfondies, 18
  • Cambodia: Masters, 80% or B+ or 3.5
  • Cameroon: Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures, 1st or 3.6
  • Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7/85%
  • Chile: Grado de Licenciado, 6
  • China: Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme.
  • Colombia: Licenciado, 4.5
  • Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
  • Croatia: Baccalaureus, 4.5
  • Cuba: Titulo de Licenciado, 5
  • Cyprus: Cyprus, 8.5
  • Czech Republic: Bakalár, 1
  • Denmark: Candidatus, 12
  • Dominican Republic: Licenciado, 3.8
  • Ecuador: Título de Licenciado, 8.5 or 85%
  • Egypt: Egypt, 3.5
  • El Salvador: Licenciado, 8.5 or 85%
  • Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad, 5 or 91% or A
  • Ethiopia: Masters, A or GPA 4.0
  • Finland: Kandidaattii, 3 (out of 3) or 4.5 (out of 5)
  • France: Licence, 14
  • Georgia: 4 year degree, 5 (95%)
  • Germany: German Bachelor, 1.5
  • Ghana: Ghana, First
  • Greece: Universities, 8.5
  • Grenada: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Guatemala: Licenciado, 90% (public university) or 95% (private university)
  • Guyana: Master's, GPA 4
  • Honduras: Título de Licenciado, GPA 5 or 90%
  • Hong Kong: 1st or 3.5/4
  • Hungary: Alapfokozt, 4.5
  • Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree, 8.5
  • India: Institutions listed on the National Institutional Ranking Framework, 65% (First)
  • Indonesia: Sarjana I, 3.3
  • Iran: Iran, 17
  • Iraq: Iraq, 80%
  • Ireland: Republic of Ireland, First (70%)
  • Israel: 3 yr Bachelor Degree, 90%
  • Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109/110
  • Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 16
  • Jamaica: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ, 1st (GPA 3.6)
  • Japan: Gakushi, 85% or A or 3.5
  • Jordan: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Kazakhstan: GPA 5.0/percentage scale, 4.5 or 90%
  • Kenya: Kenya, First or 70% or A
  • Kosovo: Kosovo, 10
  • Kuwait: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.6
  • Latvia: Latvia, 9
  • Lebanon: American, 90% (3.5)
  • Liberia: Master's, 4.0 or 90%
  • Libya: BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine, 85 (3.6)
  • Lithuania: Lithuania, 9
  • Luxembourg: Luxembourg, 18 (excellent)
  • Macau: Macau, 1st or GPA 3.7
  • Macedonia: Magistar Дипломиран, 10
  • Malawi: Master's, MSc 75%
  • Malaysia: Classification, First Class
  • Malta: Malta, 1st or 80%
  • Mauritius: Mauritius, 1st or 70%
  • Mexico: Licenciado, 8.5
  • Moldova: Diploma de Licenţă, 9
  • Mongolia: Диплом Специалиста, 90% or 3.5
  • Montenegro: Diplomirani, 10 (or 5.0)
  • Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, 16
  • Mozambique: Mestrado, 16
  • Myanmar (Burma): 2 year Master's degree, 5 or 85%
  • Namibia: 4-year Bachelor Honours, 80% or A
  • Nepal: 4 -year professional degree or Masters, 80% or 3.7 GPA
  • Netherlands: Netherlands, 8
  • New Zealand: 4 Year Honours degree, First (7.0)
  • Nicaragua: Licenciado, 90%
  • Nigeria: 7 point Scale, 6
  • Norway: Norway, A or 1.8
  • Oman: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Pakistan: 4 Year degree, A- or GPA 3.7
  • Palestine: Bachelor (4-years), (85%) 3.5
  • Panama: Licenciado, 91 (A)
  • Papua New Guinea: Bachelor (Honours) Degree, 1st
  • Paraguay: Título de Licenciado, 4.5 (85%)
  • Peru: Título de Licenciado, 14
  • Philippines: Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence, Summa Cum Laude 4.0
  • Poland: Bachelor Degree, 5
  • Portugal: Diplom de Estudos Superiores Especializados, 18
  • Qatar: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Romania: Diplom de Licenta, 9
  • Russia: Bakalavr, 4.5
  • Rwanda: 4 year bachelor (Hons) degree, 1st, 16/20 (80%)
  • Saudi Arabia: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Senegal: Maitrise, 16/20 or Tres Bien
  • Serbia: Diplomirani, 9
  • Sierra Leone: Honours degree or masters, 1st (70%)
  • Singapore: Bachelor (Hons), First
  • Slovakia: Bakalár, 1.5 or B
  • Slovenia: University Diplom, 9
  • South Africa: Bachelor (Honours) or B Tech, 1st or 75%
  • South Korea: GPA out of 4.5, 3.8 or B+
  • Spain: Licenciado, 8.5
  • Sri Lanka: 4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree, 90%, GPA 3.70
  • Sudan: 4 year degree, 1st, 70%, B+
  • Sweden: Kandidatexamen, Overall grade of VG
  • Switzerland: Bachelor Degree, 10 or 5.5 or 1
  • Syria: State universities 4 years of study, 80%
  • Taiwan: Category 1 (4 year degree), 80%
  • Tajikistan: Диплом специалиста, 5
  • Tanzania: Tanzania, 1st
  • Thailand: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Trinidad and Tobago: For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT, 1st or GPA 3.6
  • Tunisia: Licence, 16 (tres bien)
  • Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi, 3.5
  • Turkmenistan: 4 Yr Bakalavr, 5
  • Uganda: Uganda, 1st or 4.4
  • Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra, 4.5
  • United Arab Emirates: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
  • Uruguay: Licenciado, 9
  • Uzbekistan: Majistr Diplomi, 90% or GPA 4.5
  • Venezuela: Licenciado, 18/20 or 8/9
  • Vietnam: 10-point scale, 8.0
  • Zambia: Master's, A or 4.0 or 80%
  • Zimbabwe: 3/4 year degree, 1st or 75%

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.