Further Maths

Level 3 Pathway - In order to enrol onto our Level 3 courses, students must have achieved a minimum of 5 grade 4s at GCSE Level across 4 different subject areas; this should ideally include a Grade 4 for English Language and Mathematics.

It is important that students also pay attention to any individual subject entry requirements.

It may be that a small number of students are recommended to sit AS qualifications at the end of Year 12 in order to inform decisions about progression into Year 13, however these AS examinations are standalone and do not contribute to the overall A Level qualification.

Why?

Please note, to study A level Further Mathematics you must also study A level Mathematics.

If you hope to go on to read a degree that is rich in mathematics such as architecture, computer science, chemistry, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, physics or statistics, Further Mathematics A level will give your application an edge. Further Mathematics is a facilitating subject and many prestigious institutions make lower offers to those who study it. Ministers consider this subject to be vitally important for our future economy and have launched programmes to support and encourage uptake, particularly amongst girls. If you have thrived on the grade 7, 8 and 9 topics at GCSE then you will enjoy developing your skills further.

Course Structure

Further Mathematics is examined terminally at the end of two years by four equally-weighted 90 minute papers. The two Pure Core papers are compulsory and will be supplemented by at least two Optional Papers from:

• Mechanics
• Statistics
• Discrete Mathematics
• Additional Pure mathematics

In the Pure Core modules cover proof, algebra, functions, calculus, vectors, differential equations, complex numbers, matrices, polar coordinates and hyperbolic functions.

The Mechanics module covers dimensional analysis, work, energy, power, impulse, momentum, centres of mass, circular motion and variable force.

In the Statistics module covers combinatorics, probability distributions for discrete and continuous random variables, various statistical tests, correlation and regression.

The Discrete Mathematics module covers counting, graphs and networks, algorithms, critical path analysis, linear programming and game therory.

The Additional Pure Mathematics module covers recurrance relations, number theory, group theory, the vector product, surfaces and partial differentiation.

Extended Learning

Assessments based on traditional exam questions will be set at the end of each topic and marked using exam criteria. In addition, you will be expected to practise techniques to embed your knowledge and develop your understanding between lessons by completing exercises from the course textbooks.

Grade 7 GCSE Mathematics