Loughborough University

How can spatial skills improve mathematics learning?

Loughborough UniversityLoughborough, United Kingdom

Course overview

Difficulties in learning mathematics emerge early in education and are robust over time. The number of students not reaching basic levels of mathematics achievement remains a major societal challenge, at a time when societies are increasingly demanding mathematics skills due to scientific and industrial progress. So how can research effectively contribute to this?

Spatial skills have been identified as a promising contributor to mathematics learning. Training spatial skills can lead to improvements in mathematics outcomes. However, how and why this happens is not understood.

Research focuses on training outcomes rather than on the process, which limits our broader understanding of underlying mechanisms. This knowledge is essential for future research into efficient interventions to improve mathematics and to make spatial training programs more effective for all students. The aim of this project is to design a large-scale comprehensive behavioural training study in children in preschool and early primary school.

By tracking progress during the training, the goal would be to unpack the causal associations between spatial skills and mathematics further. This includes finding out whether a variety of spatial training paradigms result in the same progress, whether progress works equally for all students, whether there are specific sensitive periods for training, and whether improved outcomes after training last in time. This project provides the opportunity to make an impact by forming bridges between research and education.

During the PhD, you will be part of the Centre for Mathematical Cognition, one of the world's leading research centres in mathematics education. Moreover, you will be part of an international collaboration with the potential to organise research visits abroad if you wish to do so. I would encourage exploring funding options such as through an application to the Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership.

94% of Loughborough’s research impact is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. REF 2021

Key highlights

  • Design a large-scale behavioural spatial training study with young children
  • Investigate causal links between spatial skills and mathematics learning
  • Based in a leading research centre for mathematics education
  • International collaboration with optional research visits abroad
  • Research aims to bridge findings and classroom education practice
  • Research impact rated 94% world-leading or internationally excellent, REF 2021

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:1 — or above

Scholarships

  • Alumni Bursary

    10% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 10% of fees

  • Alumni Discount

    UK students: £1,500 tuition fee discount for one academic year. International students: £3,000 tuition fee discount for one academic year.

  • Care Leaver's Scholarship

  • Excellence Scholarships

    UK students: £3,000 off tuition fees; International students: £6,000 off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary

    Our International Sports Student Postgraduate Bursary offers a £12,000 tuition fee discount (set against the tuition fees of your chosen postgraduate taught programme ONLY).

    Up to £12,000

  • London 10th Anniversary Award

    £5,000 off tuition fees.

    Up to £5,000

  • Loughborough Business School Scholarship

    £1,500 (UK students) and £3,000 (international students) off tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

  • MBA Progress with Purpose Scholarship

    50% of tuition fees which will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.

    Up to 50% of fees

  • Qatari Ghanim Al-Muftah Excellence Scholarship

Careers this course leads to

  • Academic researcher in mathematical cognition
  • University lecturer in education or psychology
  • Educational researcher
  • Developmental psychology researcher
  • Education policy adviser
  • Educational intervention designer

Cost of study

UK/Home: £5,238 | International: £23,100

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Loughborough University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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