Short Course: Embedding Numeracy in Further Education Learning
About
This course helps Further Education (FE) lecturers understand how to make maths more accessible and relevant to students by weaving numeracy into everyday vocational subjects. You’ll explore what makes maths difficult for some learners, how to create supportive learning environments, and how numeracy connects to real-world industry application.
This course is ideal for FE lecturers who:
- Teach vocational subjects and want to integrate numeracy meaningfully
- Are passionate about inclusive education and learner success
- Want to tackle maths anxiety and support student confidence
- Enjoy creative approaches to teaching and presenting ideas
What will you gain?
- Confidence in supporting learners with maths anxiety
- Practical strategies to embed numeracy into your subject area
- A deeper understanding of how numeracy impacts vocational learning
- A professional portfolio and presentation skills
- 30 Credits toward a postgraduate certificate in Professional Development (60 credits)
Term dates
Start date: 26 September 2025.
Attendance
This will be blended delivery with a mix of online and in college and on campus sessions which will be dictated by locations of student cohorts.
Location
This course is delivered Belfast campus.
Assessment
100% coursework. The module has two equally weighted assignments.
Assessment 1 is worth 50% and Assessment 2 is worth 50% of the overall assessment.
Career Options
This course will boost your CV with completion of both modules resulting in the award of Postgraduate certificate in professional development
On completion of both level 7 modules you will be recognised to teach Essential Skills Numeracy.
Academic Profile
This module is taught by Dr Shauna McGill.
Shauna McGill currently holds a PhD in Education with Ulster University but also holds a Masters of Teaching from Queens University and a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from University of Glasgow. As Course Director for the PGCE Primary Course on the Coleraine Campus, Shauna has been employed as a Lecturer of Education for the past 17 years, additionally working as a primary teacher for 5 years before this role. Research interests include Teacher Education, Primary Mathematics and Mobile Technology. Shauna is an Executive Committee member of the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics (BSRLM), Committee Secretary for the Association for the Study of Primary Education (ASPE) and Conference Committee member for the Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCOTENS). Shauna has presented her research and collaborative research as a keynote speaker and as a participant at various national and international Teacher Education conferences. Shauna has been previously appointed as Externals Examiners in Brunel and UCL Universities. She is the 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Educational Excellence Award and in 2019 received the John Coolahan Award for her Cross border collaborative research in Teacher Education.
Further Information
Modules
This short course provides an introduction to how numeracy is impactful in a wide range of FE learning environments and within vocational subjects.
Eligibility
You must be a qualified teacher in primary, secondary or FE.
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come , first served basis.. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications can not be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time (including modules to a total of 45 credits per semester - if studying part-time).
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Transversal skills from the drop down box. Then select Embedding Numeracy in Further Education Learning from the next drop down box.
