A Level Further Mathematics
Do you want to develop a deep understanding of big ideas and know ‘why’ and not just ‘how’? Do you want a stimulating and challenging course that will develop key skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, communication and resilience?
TOP COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- Stretch & challenge
- Understand techniques
- Versatile qualification
- Excellent tutor support
Take it higher
A course that is satisfying, interesting, well respected, useful, fun and full of surprises; Further Mathematics is an essential requirement for many degree level Mathematics courses.
Highly valued by employers
A qualification in Further Mathematics is highly valued by many universities and employers. Further Mathematics is also an excellent subject to complement your other studies.
Varied curriculum
You will be introduced to new areas of pure mathematics such as algebraic proof, complex numbers, matrices, further algebra, further calculus and further vectors.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
Further Mathematics provides an excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses as well as being a versatile qualification that is well respected by employers. Further Mathematics is an essential requirement for many degree level Mathematics courses. By studying Further Mathematics you will increase your knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques and their applications as well as enhancing your study of other subjects, in particular Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Business Studies and PE. Further Mathematics is designed to stretch and challenge able young mathematicians by introducing you to new techniques and concepts, such as complex numbers and matrices, as well as studying material from A Level Mathematics in greater depth.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Further Mathematics is a two-year A Level qualification that takes up two timetable grids and will give you two A Levels – Mathematics and Further Mathematics. These must be taken alongside another two A Level subjects and will mean that you spend about half your time at college studying on your Mathematics courses.
You will be taught by highly qualified specialist subject tutors in classes consisting exclusively of Further Mathematics students.
You will study the same material as students taking A Level Mathematics plus additional material for A Level Further Mathematics. You will need a calculator that can handle the statistical distributions (your tutor will advise you about suitable calculators). You will be encouraged to use a graphical calculator for Further mathematics, although this is not essential. For the start of the course the calculator that you used for GCSE Mathematics is suitable.
WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME?
A qualification in Further Mathematics is highly valued by many universities and employers. It is also an excellent subject to complement your other studies. There are obvious links with computing, sciences, and finance-based courses but Further Mathematics can also be useful for sharpening up your thinking skills and logical reasoning.
The minimum requirement is five GCSEs at good grades in appropriate subjects, including English, and at least Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics with a GCSE points average of at least 6.5.
Your success in this subject is dependent upon excellent attendance, punctuality and effort. There is a strong correlation between attendance/punctuality/effort and success.
- You will have weekly homework assignments from each of your two lecturers. These assignments will be quite substantial and you should expect to spend a couple of hours on each assignment. In the assignments you will usually be asked to do some preparation work for the next topic, some revision questions (which you will mark and correct yourself) on recent topics and some new questions on the current topic.
- You will have regular tests carried out in class, generally one each half term but more frequently at the start of the course.
- You will be encouraged to enhance your study experience by following up the work done in class with further reading, using websites or trying extra questions from the online text books.
- You will have access to exam papers, mark schemes and online worked solutions through the college Moodle site.
- You will review your own performance in one-to-one discussions with your tutor.
- You will be given mock examinations for Mathematics and Further Mathematics.
- You will be examined by traditional written examinations, taken in May or June.
