Maths & Further Maths
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE MATHEMATICS?
Mathematics at A Level is a course worth studying for its own sake and is both challenging and interesting. It builds on work covered at Higher Level GCSE, but also involves new ideas. It serves as a very useful support for many other subjects as well as being a much sought-after qualification in its own right.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE INVOLVE?
Students follow the Edexcel GCE Mathematics A Level specifications. Students will study Pure and Applied content (Mechanics and Statistics) over the course of the two years – two-thirds of the content will be Pure and one-third will be Applied.
HOW WILL I LEARN?
In Year 12, students have ten lessons per fortnight plus two homeworks. During this time students complete the AS Level Mathematics content. In Year 13, students have nine lessons per fortnight plus two homeworks. In this year students complete the A2 content that completes the A Level.
WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?
Maths allows you to hone your ability to solve mathematical problems as well as abstract and scientific ones too. These problem-solving skills can then be applied to many different areas of your life. You’ll also learn how to analyse patterns, structures and problems, which will in turn, help you to develop a critical eye. This will come in handy in both further study and future careers. Maths at A Level will leave you with research skills that will allow you to find solutions to problems, investigate theories, and therefore give you the ability to find new information more effectively. Finally, your logical abilities will be developed so that you will have tools needed to tackle a number of diverse areas, from managing your finances to planning projects.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
3 × 2 hour examinations:
1 Pure AS content at A Level standard
1 Pure additional A Level content
1 Statistics and Mechanics
WHAT CAN A QUALIFICATION IN MATHS LEAD TO?
Mathematical ability is very highly regarded by both universities and employers. An A Level in Mathematics is essential for many degree courses (including Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Finance and of course Mathematics itself) and is highly desirable in a wide range of other subjects such as Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Architecture, Accountancy, Medicine, in which there is a certain amount of mathematical content (even a Geography degree will involve the use of statistics).
The problem solving skills you will acquire during the course, coupled with the ability to approach problems systematically and analytically mean that there are very few degree subjects for which Mathematics A Level would not be useful. There is currently a national shortage of Mathematicians, so employment prospects could not be better!
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics .
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE MATHEMATICS AND FURTHER MATHEMATICS?
Choosing Mathematics and Further Mathematics necessarily takes up two options. Students who study Mathematics and Further Mathematics will have the option to study four subjects to A Level, if they wish to do so. Students who are thinking of reading Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or a related subject degree are strongly advised to take Further Mathematics at A Level as are candidates considering entry to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge to study a scientific/engineering discipline.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE INVOLVE?
Students follow the Edexcel GCE Mathematics and Further Mathematics A Level specifications. Students will study A Level Mathematics in Year 12 and A Level Further Mathematics in Year 13. The compulsory topics for Further Mathematics are: Proof, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Further Algebra and Functions, Further Calculus, Further Vectors, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions and Differential Equations.
HOW WILL I LEARN?
Year 12 Mathematics students complete both the AS Level Mathematics content and the non-AS Level content that completes the A Level. Two thirds of the content will be Pure and one third will be Applied.
Year 13 Further Mathematics students complete the compulsory Further Pure Topics and 2 optional units, from: Further Pure 3, Further Pure 4, Mechanics 1, Mechanics 2, Statistics 1, Statistics 2, Decision 1 and Decision 2
WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?
Maths allows you to hone your ability to solve mathematical problems as well as abstract and scientific ones too. These problem-solving skills can then be applied to many different areas of your life. You’ll also learn how to analyse patterns, structures and problems, which will in turn, help you to develop a critical eye. This will come in handy in both further study and future careers. Maths at A Level will leave you with research skills that will allow you to find solutions to problems, investigate theories, and therefore give you the ability to find new information more effectively. Finally, your logical abilities will be developed so that you will have tools needed to tackle a number of diverse areas, from managing your finances to planning projects.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Mathematics
3 × 2 hour examinations:
1 Pure AS content at A Level standard
1 Pure additional A Level content
1 Statistics and Mechanics
Further Mathematics
4 × 1 hour 30 minute examinations:
2 Compulsory Pure
2 Optional Units
WHAT CAN A QUALIFICATION IN MATHS/ FURTHER MATHS LEAD TO?
Mathematics students learn to think logically and to apply the principles they have learnt to the solution of a variety of different problems. This training is of great value as preparation for a wide range of degree courses and careers. A Level Mathematics is a requirement for most degrees in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Engineering and Medicine. Mathematics is most helpful, and may be required, for Economics and Business courses. A knowledge of statistics at A Level is applicable to almost any course in the social sciences.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics.