Mathematics is an inherent part of everyday life, whether used knowingly or indirectly. Mathematicians look at things and use the language of maths to understand and justify what they see, resolving problems and improving by the use of mathematical modelling. The A Level Mathematics course is both demanding and stimulating.
A Level Further Mathematics will give you a greater insight into the beauty of mathematics and how the structures of the different topics fit together. It also shows how it can be applied, even from quite abstract beginnings.
We follow the Edexcel specifications for Maths and for Further Maths.
“I chose Maths because it is practical and not essay-based, which I personally prefer. The lessons are well structured and the teachers are always there if you need help. I have enjoyed the way that the subject is taught as the difficulty of it gradually builds up. Therefore, you do not feel immediately overwhelmed when you start learning. If I were to do something differently in Year 12, I would be more organised and more consistent with revising past topics – it makes learning content later on in the year easier.”
Carly
Mr Lound
Head of Mathematics
Mathematics complements all sciences, Geography, Psychology, Economics and Business Studies well and is a good contrasting subject to modern languages. The analysis and problem-solving skills employed transfer to many other areas and enhance the study of these subjects. An A Level in Maths opens up many doorways as it is seen as a high value subject with skills that are transferable to many different careers and degree courses. Students have gone on to study mechanical engineering, economics, maths, computing and natural sciences. Others have then gone on to careers in actuarial consultancy, aeronautical, mechanical, electronic, electrical and marine engineering, stock broking, medicine, teaching, statistics, banking, geology, volcanology, law and piloting (commercial jet and helicopter).
Year 1
In the first year you will build on core GCSE knowledge and extend into new areas:
- Quadratics, functions, transformations and graphs
- Calculus – differentiation and integration
- Coordinate geometry
- Data distributions, including study of a prescribed large data set
- Statistical analysis, probability and regression
- Binomial distributions and hypothesis testing
- Kinematics
- Forces and Newton’s laws
Year 2
In the second year you will use the foundation topics above to study:
- Further calculus
- Trigonometric functions and equations
- Numerical methods of analysis
- Differential equations and vectors
- Normal probability distribution
- Correlation coefficient and hypothesis testing
- Projectile motion
- The effects of friction
- Moments
Assessment
There are three exam papers of 2 hours each.
Papers 1 and 2 assess Pure Mathematics.
Paper 3 assesses Mechanics and Statistics.
Entry Requirements
Minimum 66555 including Level 6 in Mathematics GCSE.
The A Level Further Mathematics course is not just for those who enjoy Mathematics or who want to go on and study it at university, it is also highly recommended for anyone who might want to take a degree at a top university in Physics, the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computing, Economics and more.
Students choosing A Level Further Mathematics must also choose A Level Mathematics. The Further Mathematics course runs in parallel to the A Level Mathematics course and is an additional A Level qualification.
Additional topics
- Roots of equations
- Complex numbers
- Matrices
- Summation of series
- Further algebra and functions
- Further calculus
- Further vectors
- Hyperbolic functions
- Differential equations
- Rational functions and conic sections
Additional topics
- Mathematics modelling in mechanics
- Momentum and impulse
- Work, energy and power
- Elastic strings and springs
- Collision
- Decision graph theory
- Algorithms
- Linear programming
- Critical path analysis
Assessment
You will sit four exam papers of 1 hour 30 minutes.
Papers 1 and 2 assess Core Pure Mathematics.
Paper 3: one option chosen from Further Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision Mathematics.
Paper 4: one option chosen from Further Pure Mathematics, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision Mathematics.
Entry Requirements
Minimum 76555 including minimum Level 7 in Mathematics GCSE.
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