Official length of programme

Two-year programme, 120 ECTS credits.

Access requirements

Applicants must have completed an Undergraduate university programme (first cycle) with at least 180 ECTS credits, providing them with relevant competencies in mathematics information and communication technologies (ICT), psychology and pedagogy.

Name of qualification

Master of Education in Mathematics

Programme requirements

The Graduate University Programme in Mathematics Education is the final part of the preservice university education of mathematicians specialised in the teaching of mathematics in lower and upper secondary education (upper classes of primary school and secondary school, i.e. ISCED levels 2 and 3, according to the ISCED 1997 classification). It provides the second cycle of university education for prospective teachers of mathematics (učitelj and profesor, according to current Croatian terminology) within the 3+2 Bologna system. The first cycle of this education is provided by the three-year Undergraduate University Programme in Mathematics or any related undergraduate or graduate university programme in which students attain competencies in mathematics, computer science, information and communications technologies, psychology, and pedagogy, required for enrolment and participation in this programme.

The Graduate University Programme in Mathematics Education offers university education in mathematics and information and communications technologies. Mathematical competence encompasses a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the results of the main areas of mathematics, such as algebra, analysis, geometry, differential equations, discrete mathematics, probability theory, statistics, as well as numerical mathematics. It also includes the ability to understand and conceive mathematical proofs, and thus, logical argumentation in general situations, the capacity for mathematical modelling of situations, and the capacity for creative problem solving by means of mathematical tools and ICT. Students are offered education in computer science, which leads to certain computer science competences such as ability to design and analyse algoritms and databases, as well as familiarity with computer architecture and computer networks.
This programme offers the vocational, didactic, and pedagogical-psychological competencies necessary for the successful realisation of all educational programmes in mathematics at the primary- and secondary-school level. In addition, the programme trains students to teach all types of mathematics classes - regular, advanced, elective, and remedial, as well as work with children with special needs - ranging from work with children who have developmental difficulties to work with those who are gifted in mathematics. It is important to stress that this programme specifically educates its students to work with groups of pupils with exceptional achievements in mathematics in order to prepare them for mathematics competitions at all levels (from local to state), and to advise pupils when they are writing term papers and secondary-school graduation papers and realising interdisciplinary student projects and workshops.
The programme didactically educates students in the realisation of various forms of mathematics instruction - including traditional frontal instruction, programmed instruction, heuristic and mentored instruction, and contemporary forms of problem and project-based mathematics instruction - as well as in the application of ICT and other media in mathematics instruction. In addition, students gain competence in working within the educational system and the school as an organisation, and in all the tasks included among the obligations of teachers (being a class teacher, keeping pedagogical records, working in cooperation with parents and professional services, etc.). Finally, the programme trains students for further self-education (life-long learning) in mathematics, computer science, ICT, education, and other sciences.

Professional status

Holders of the degree of Master of Education in Mathematics are qualified for employment as teachers of mathematics in primary school and in all types of secondary school. Besides employment in education, they are also qualified for various types of intellectual employment in business, state administration, and the public sector that call for analytical thinking; fundamental and advanced knowledge in mathematics and ICT; a capacity for mathematical modelling and solving different problems; a knowledge of statistics; the ability to organise, analyse, and represent all types of data (character, numerical, audio, visual, multimedia,
etc.); and the application of ICT.

Access to further study

After completing this graduate university programme, students are qualified for postgraduate (doctoral or specialist) programmes at the Department of Mathematics, in accordance with the enrolment conditions for the academic year in which they apply. The received knowledge and acquired skills also qualify students for continued study in related postgraduate (doctoral or specialist) programmes at other higher education institutions. The conditions of enrolment in postgraduate programmes at other higher education institutions are determined by those institutions.