TAM 2016-17 at MMU
Once applicants have been accepted onto the TAM with Masters course by MEI they must
complete a MMU application form. A weblink to this application form will sent via email. This
can be downloaded, completed in Word and emailed back. It does not have to be in hard copy,
but isn’t an online form.
1. What are the entry criteria for the ‘TAM with Masters’ course at your University?
Standard MMU admission requirements for taught postgraduate programmes apply:
applicants need to have an honours degree, or a postgraduate diploma or a professional
qualification recognised as being equivalent to a UK honours degree. Other qualifications or
experience may be acceptable if students are able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge
and skills to a UK honours degree standard. In addition, applicants must have current or
recent relevant practice experience (and/or be in a role relevant to) the aware area for which
they have applied. Applicants must have the opportunity to teach A-Level Mathematics and
to complete the TAM Course.
2. What is the address of the building where study days will take place? What is the best
way to get there?
The Study Days will take place at The Brooks academic building, part of the new £139M
Birley development at the Manchester Campus. It is within walking distance of the main
transport hubs of central Manchester, and is adjacent to many of the main bus routes. Full
location and transport details can be found here: http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/education/contactus/travel-and-parking/
The full address is: Brooks Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, 53 Bonsall Street,
Manchester, M15 6GX. Car parking is available provided it is booked in advance.
3. What are the dates and times of the study days?
All study days will take place from 1000-1600.
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Mon
11/7
Thu
22/9
Tue
29/11
Wed
30/11
Fri
17/3
Sat
18/3
Mon
26/6
Tue
27/6
4. I live too far from the University to visit at times other than the 8 study days. What
support will be available to me between study days?
You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be happy to deal with email queries and will
arrange individual or small group tutorials that can be electronic or face to face. Your tutor
will also provide support as you complete your assignments.
The Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle is used to support learning in a variety of ways. At
Programme Level Moodle is used as a Virtual ‘Programme Handbook’ providing students
with information and links to information as well as Award specific support. At unit level
Moodle is used in a more interactive way to engage students and to facilitate student
learning, for example with podcasts as a trigger for discussion in sessions, relevant media
and independent learning resources, and to host discussion forums. Technology is used to
support learning both within taught sessions and between sessions e.g. as part of (self)directed study tasks. All assessed written work is submitted and assessed via turnitin.
Electronic access to library resources is particularly important for postgraduate, part-time
students, some of whom live at some distance. The availability of e-books, electronic
journals, and databases is important for the programme and dedicated programme induction
includes a mandatory and tailored library session, with follow-ups as appropriate through the
programme. We provide additional guidance on the programme Moodle pages, including
step by step guidance on submitting assessed work on turnitin.
5. What assignments will I need to submit to the University to obtain Masters
credits? When are the assignment deadlines?
The PGCert Teaching Advanced Mathematics consists of 60 credits. You will need to
complete two assignments. One will be a literature review informed by your personal
interests in post-16 mathematics and its pedagogy (Mapping the Territory). This first
assignment will be due for submission on Monday 9 January. Based on your interests and
the TAM course you will then complete a small-scale enquiry into your own post-16 practice
(Specialist Supported Project). The deadline for this piece of work will be Monday 3 July.
6. I already have Masters’ credits from previous study (e.g. my PGCE at yours or another
University). Can I add the 60 TAM Masters’ credits to these?
The PGCert Teaching Advanced Mathematics award is made up of 60 taught credits. There
is the option to add eligible credits towards progression to a Masters’ award subject to the
rules relevant to that qualification.
For example, progression to the MSc STEM Education could be made up of the following
elements:




60 credits from the PGCert Teaching Advanced Mathematics
30 credits could be from prior certificated learning (e.g. your PCGE if completed within
the last five years) or experiential learning (APEL) or a further taught option unit
30 credits from the core taught unit ‘Research and Practice’
60 credits from the Dissertation unit.
7. Does successful completion of the ‘TAM with Masters’ course ensure I can progress
to a full Masters’ degree at your university?
Yes, subject to successful application. Tutors will be happy to discuss progression routes
with you.
8. TAM will be my first 60 Masters credits. How much would I need to pay to study for
additional modules at your University? And what modules are available to choose
from?
The Faculty of Education operates a core curriculum structure that is designed to enable
students to explore, articulate and develop their own practice narrative and
interests/priorities, in the context of the award. The four units that make up the taught
elements are:

Mapping the Territory: contexts, concepts and perspectives for developing
understanding, criticality; the selection and use of theoretical/conceptual lenses for own
practice context)
 Specialist (supported) Project: development of specialist/expert knowledge in
award/practice area and for developing use of knowledge/data/evidence
 Shaping the Future: complications, dilemmas and interventions for innovations,
reframing, reworking re-visioning/change for own award area/practice context
 Research and Practice: research questions, design and methodologies for generating
new practice knowledge
The Research and Practice unit is a core unit in all of MMU’s Faculty of Education Masters
Programmes. The choice of taught modules remaining will depend on whether either
Accreditation of Prior Learning / Advanced Standing is an appropriate route.
Accreditation of Prior Learning / Advanced Standing:
The accreditation of prior experiential learning in line with the MMU policy on the
Accreditation of Prior Learning is embedded in the programme enabling students to claim
credit for the often significant professional experience/expertise they bring and where they
can demonstrate learning at Masters level in the award area.
Students with PGCE in the previous five years are able to enter the programme with
advanced standing (likewise others with relevant postgraduate qualifications, with the
agreement of the Award Tutor and Programme Leader).
The Dissertation unit makes up the final 60 credits of a Masters programme.
There is an emphasis on academic advice in the programme to enable students to use the
structures of the programme in a tailored way to support professional and personal interests
and aspirations, including for career progression.
In 2016/2017 the fee for a 30 credit taught unit is £1005. Fees for the Accreditation of Prior
Experiential Learning are yet to be set for 2016/17; they were £250 in 2015/16. The fee for
the dissertation is tbc.
Applicants may be interested in finding out more about the recently announced Post
Graduate Loan Scheme. Details can be found here:
http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees/pg-loan-scheme/
9. Are these 60 TAM Masters credits a qualification in their own right?
Yes, successful completion of the 60 credits will confer a PGCert Teaching Advanced
Mathematics award.
10. What is the process and criteria for offering places if the TAM course at your
University is oversubscribed?
It is unlikely we will be oversubscribed.
11. If I have queries about the TAM course at your University, what are the contact details
of the person I should ask?
For information about the TAM course, please contact Fiona Haniak-Cockerham:
f.cockerham@mmu.ac.uk
For information about the MSc STEM, please contact Pauline Palmer:
p.m.palmer@mmu.ac.uk
The Administrative Team of the Education Exchange will also be happy to help:
Rachel Eppy
0161 247 2129
cpd.partnership@mmu.ac.uk
12. Link to relevant university webpage
This award is provided by the Department of Professional Development and Educational
Innovation of the Faculty of Education: http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/pdei/