D'Math University | Education & Specialist Mathematics
PhD Mathematics Education
A doctoral programme for those committed to generating original, internationally significant knowledge about how mathematics is taught and learned. Research spans cognitive science, social theory, curriculum studies, and cross-cultural comparative education — shaping policy and practice worldwide.
Programme Overview
Advancing the Field
The PhD in Mathematics Education is one of the most intellectually demanding research pathways in the education sciences. Doctoral candidates are expected to engage substantively with both the mathematical content domain and the social-scientific theories that explain how that content is communicated, internalised, and distributed across diverse populations. The work sits at the intersection of psychology, sociology, linguistics, and mathematics proper.
- Original contribution: Doctoral theses are expected to make internationally recognised advances in the field
- International fieldwork: Research in partner institutions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas
- Interdisciplinary: Access to cognitive science, linguistics, and sociological research communities
- Conference funding: All doctoral students receive funding for three international conference presentations
Research Environment
Our mathematics education research centre maintains active collaborations with national curriculum bodies, examination boards, and international comparative studies including PISA and TIMSS. Doctoral students are embedded in this research community from day one — attending seminars, contributing to ongoing projects, and developing scholarly networks that sustain careers for decades.
- 25+ supervisors: Experts across didactics, cognitive development, equity, curriculum policy, and technology
- Joint supervision: Option for co-supervision with partner universities in Singapore, Australia, or Finland
- Publication support: Writing retreats, peer review workshops, and journal submission support throughout
- Post-doctoral pipeline: Strong track record of graduates securing post-doctoral fellowships internationally
Research Areas
Didactics of Mathematics
The science of teaching mathematics — drawing on the French didactique tradition, ATD, and Theory of Didactic Situations to analyse teacher-student-knowledge relations.
Equity & Access in Mathematics Education
Investigating systemic inequalities in mathematics attainment — race, class, gender, and disability — and evaluating interventions designed to widen participation.
Mathematical Discourse & Language
How mathematical language shapes and constrains understanding. Discourse analysis, multilingual mathematics learning, and the semiotics of mathematical notation.
Technology-Enhanced Learning
Empirical research on the impact of dynamic geometry, CAS, AI, and online platforms on mathematical understanding, motivation, and assessment.
Pre-service Teacher Development
How mathematics teachers develop subject knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge during initial teacher education. Mentoring, belief systems, and identity formation.
STEM Integration Research
Cross-disciplinary learning at the intersection of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology. Curriculum design, transfer of learning, and teacher collaboration.
Cross-Cultural Mathematics Education
Comparative studies across educational systems — why Singapore, Finland, and Japan produce strong mathematical outcomes and what that means for curriculum reform.
Cognitive Development in Mathematics
Mathematical thinking from early childhood to university level. Number sense development, algebraic reasoning, spatial cognition, and proof comprehension research.
Teacher Beliefs & Identity
How teachers' beliefs about the nature of mathematics shape their classroom decisions. Identity narratives, professional development, and institutional cultures.
Curriculum Policy Research
Political and sociological analysis of mathematics curriculum reform. How policy is formulated, contested, and enacted in diverse national and international contexts.
Click any course to view its objective and learning outcomes.
PME 701 Research Methods in Education +
Objective
To prepare doctoral candidates for educational research.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply rigorous research design.
- Conduct ethically approved research.
- Apply mixed methods.
- Critique educational research.
- Write proposals for funding.
AND OR NOT XOR -> <->
PME 702 Quantitative Research Methods +
Objective
To master quantitative methods in education.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply HLM and SEM.
- Use IRT for assessment.
- Apply meta-analysis.
- Use quasi-experimental designs.
- Apply causal inference.
PME 703 Qualitative Research Methods +
Objective
To master qualitative methods in education.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply ethnography and case studies.
- Use grounded theory.
- Apply phenomenology.
- Use discourse analysis.
- Apply visual methods.
PME 704 Theoretical Frameworks +
Objective
To engage with theoretical frameworks in mathematics education.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply socio-cultural theory.
- Use cognitive science frameworks.
- Apply situated learning.
- Use semiotic mediation.
- Discuss critical pedagogies.
PME 705 Comparative Education Research +
Objective
To research mathematics education across cultures.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse PISA and TIMSS data.
- Apply cross-cultural methods.
- Discuss policy borrowing.
- Use ethnographic comparison.
- Apply institutional analysis.
AND OR NOT XOR -> <->
PME 706 Doctoral Seminar +
Objective
To engage with current research.
Learning Outcomes
- Present and critique papers.
- Engage with international research.
- Participate in peer review.
- Build a network.
- Develop presentation skills.
PME 707 Teaching Practicum +
Objective
To develop teaching skills.
Learning Outcomes
- Plan and deliver university courses.
- Design assessments.
- Apply pedagogical theory.
- Mentor pre-service teachers.
- Lead curriculum development.
AND OR NOT XOR -> <->
PME 708 PhD Thesis I +
Objective
To produce original research.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify an original question.
- Conduct literature review.
- Develop methodology.
- Produce preliminary results.
- Present at conferences.
PME 709 PhD Thesis II +
Objective
To advance doctoral research.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop original methodology.
- Generate findings.
- Publish peer-reviewed papers.
- Develop thesis structure.
- Defend methodology.
PME 710 PhD Thesis III +
Objective
To consolidate research.
Learning Outcomes
- Write 80,000-100,000 word thesis.
- Synthesise contributions.
- Defend viva voce.
- Publish multiple articles.
- Contribute to the field.
Career Outcomes
University Professor (Education)
The primary academic destination — holding a chair in mathematics education at a research-intensive university. Combining research, doctoral supervision, and teacher education. Salaries range from £55k to £90k+ at professorial level.
Curriculum Director (National)
Senior roles within national curriculum authorities — designing and overseeing the mathematics curriculum for an entire education system. Requires the scholarly credibility and policy literacy that only doctoral-level training provides.
Education Policy Advisor
Advising government ministries, international organisations (UNESCO, World Bank, OECD), and think tanks on mathematics education policy. Drawing on research to shape large-scale systemic change across nations.
Mathematics Education Researcher
Research institute positions — conducting funded programmes of research, publishing in journals such as Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (JRME) and Educational Studies in Mathematics (ESM).
International NGO Education Lead
Leading mathematics education programmes in development contexts — designing teacher training, curriculum materials, and assessment systems for under-resourced systems across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
Examinations Board Chief
Senior leadership within national or international examination bodies — overseeing the assessment of mathematics at scale. Requires deep knowledge of assessment theory, curriculum alignment, and psychometrics.
Top Universities for PhD Mathematics Education
Why D'Math University for Doctoral Research in Mathematics Education?
World-Class Supervision
Our 25+ supervisors include former presidents of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME) and editors of leading journals. Supervisory expertise spans every major research tradition.
International Research Culture
Annual placements with partner institutions in Singapore, Finland, the USA, and Australia expose doctoral students to diverse educational systems and build the global networks essential for academic career progression.
Policy Impact
Our research regularly informs national curriculum reform. Doctoral students contribute to live policy projects, gaining the rare experience of seeing their research shape educational practice at a systemic level.
Fully Funded Cohorts
Competitive full funding packages — stipend, fees, and research expenses — are available for outstanding candidates. We are committed to making doctoral study financially viable for the most talented researchers.
PhD applications accepted year-round. Funding deadlines in January each year. International applicants welcome.