Level 3 Qualifications - Core Maths

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Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) is a relatively new qualification designed for students who do not want to take the subject at A-Level but do use maths in other subjects and wish to study maths further. It is a one year course only. It helps to develop students’ mathematical skills and thinking and supports courses such as A-Level Psychology, Sciences and Geography as well as technical and vocational qualifications. It provides students with the mathematical skills to tackle problems in a variety of different real and realistic contexts.

The course is made up of 2 units:

Paper 1 (Financial Maths & Statistics): Personal Finance – budgeting, tax, controlling debt, interest rates and mortgages, exchange rates; Analysis of Data – data and sampling, measures of spread, box and whisker plots, cumulative frequency graphs, histograms; Modelling and Estimation.

Paper 2a (Statistical Techniques): The Normal Distribution – applying the normal distribution to calculate probabilities; Confidence Intervals – what the mean of a sample tells you about the mean of a population; Correlation and Regression – measuring the strength of relationships between variables

Or Paper 2b (Critical Path and Risk Analysis): Critical Path Analysis – using activity networks in order to plan how projects can be completed as quickly and as efficiently as possible; Expectation – Using Venn diagrams and tree diagrams to calculate probabilities; Cost-Benefit Analysis –calculating the benefit you expect to receive from carrying out a project and comparing it with the expected cost.

Assessment

Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies consists of 2 units which are 100% exam based with both papers being taken in the summer term.

Grade 5 in GCSE Maths.

On completion you gain a Level 3 certificate in Mathematical Studies which earns equivalent UCAS points to half of an A-Level (slightly more than an AS level). Core Maths would complement other subjects as part of an application to university as more and more degrees include mathematical content. This course is encouraged and highly valued by universities for all degrees; there are examples of students receiving favourable offers from Universities because they are studying Core Maths.

Core Maths has been designed to maintain and develop real-life mathematical skills. What you study is not purely theoretical or abstract; it can be applied on a day-to-day basis, whether in work, study or life. The financial mathematics element can help with other A level subjects, in particular with science, geography, business studies, economics and psychology.

Mathematical skills are becoming increasingly important in the workplace and higher education – studying Core Maths will help you keep up with these essential skills.