Further Mathematics

What is A level Further Mathematics?

What Maths GCSE grade is required to study Further

Mathematics?

Why should my daughter/son study A level Further

Mathematics?

What support is available?

What are the career opportunities with A level Further

Mathematics?

Is A level Further Mathematics needed for entry to

university degree courses?

Important questions

What is Further Mathematics? Further Mathematics is an additional A level qualification taken

alongside A level Mathematics.

It is designed to stretch and challenge able mathematicians

introducing new techniques and concepts such as complex numbers

and matrices.

It is excellent preparation for degree courses in Mathematics and

other mathematical subjects.

What is covered in Further Mathematics?

What is covered in Further Mathematics?

What pure maths is covered in Further Mathematics?

Complex numbers are based on

the ‘imaginary’ number −1. They

lead to the study of lots of new

areas of mathematics, including

fractals like those shown in the

image above.

Matrices are arrays of numbers such

as 1 00 2

. They can be used to solve

sets of simultaneous equations and to

represent transformations such as the

shear shown in the diagram below.

Two examples of important Further

pure topics are complex numbers and

matrices.

What pure maths is covered in Further Mathematics?

What is Statistics?

Actuaries study statistical information to calculate the risk

of a driver of a certain age having a car accident or the risk

of flood. This information would be used by insurers in

establishing the cost of the annual premiums.

Reaching conclusions from data

and calculating the chance of an

event occurring

What Statistics is covered in Further

Mathematics?

What is Discrete/Decision Mathematics?

One area of discrete mathematics is graph theory, which

includes solving problems such as:

What would be the most

efficient route for delivering

post around this network of

streets?

This topic uses algorithms

vital in computer science.

(Image taken from

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/FSMA%20Chinese%20postman%20problems%20student.pdf)

What Decision is covered in Further

Mathematics?

What Maths GCSE grade is required to

study Further Mathematics?

Grade 7 or above

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

Studying Further Mathematics will:

provide a stimulating and challenging course;

develop key employability skills such as problem-solving,

logical reasoning, communication and resilience;

increase knowledge and understanding of mathematical

techniques and their applications;

support the study of other A level subjects;

provide excellent preparation for a wide

range of university courses;

lead to a versatile qualification that is

well-respected by employers and higher

education.

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

Students taking Further Mathematics overwhelmingly find it to

be an enjoyable, rewarding, stimulating and empowering

experience.

It is a challenging qualification, which both extends and deepens

your knowledge and understanding beyond the standard A level

Mathematics. Students who do it often say it is their favourite

subject.

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

For someone who enjoys mathematics, it provides a challenge

and a chance to explore new and/or more sophisticated

mathematical concepts.

As well as new learning new areas of pure mathematics you will

study further applications of mathematics in mechanics, statistics

and decision mathematics.

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

Students who take Further Mathematics find that the additional

time spent studying mathematics boosts their marks in single A

level Mathematics.

Any student capable of passing an AS/A level in Mathematics should

also be able to pass AS Further Mathematics. Studying Further

Mathematics consolidates and reinforces your standard A level

Mathematics work, helping you to achieve your best possible

grades.

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

It makes the transition from sixth form to university courses

which are mathematically rich that much easier as more of the

first year course content will be familiar.

If you are planning to take a degree such as Engineering, Sciences,

Computing, Finance/Economics, etc., or perhaps Mathematics itself,

you will benefit enormously from taking Further Mathematics. Further

Mathematics introduces new topics such as matrices and complex

numbers that are vital in many STEM degrees. Students who have

studied Further Mathematics find the transition to such degrees far

more straightforward.

Why study A level Further Mathematics?

It enables students to distinguish themselves as able

mathematicians in their applications for university and future

employment.

Further Mathematics qualifications are highly regarded and are

warmly welcomed by universities. Students who take Further

Mathematics are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their

studies, as well as learning mathematics that is very useful for any

mathematically rich degree. Some prestigious university courses

require you to have a Further Mathematics qualification and others

may adjust their grade requirements more favourably to students

with Further Mathematics.

What support is available? Access to an electronic textbook

https://www.activeteachonline.com/product

Access to http://www.mathsnetalevel.com/index.php and http://www.mymaths.co.uk/ for online help

Drop in/revision sessions once a week to enhance and aid understanding

A typical Year 12 student…

What are the career opportunities?

Is A level Further Mathematics needed for entry to

university degree courses?

University entry requirements

Look at the entry requirements on the individual

university’s website for the degree subjects that your

son/daughter might be interested in.

In some cases a qualification in Further Mathematics will

reduce the grades required for entry to a degree course

in a related subject.

Look at www.ucas.ac.uk for

additional information.

Exemplar Entry Requirements

Typical offers are:

AAA or A*AB

AAB or A*BB , including Further Mathematics A-level

In all cases, the first grade quoted is the Mathematics A-

level.

Leeds University (Mathematics degree), 2019 entry

Exemplar Entry Requirements

A*A*A (A* in Mathematics), plus STEP.

Many colleges also require Further Mathematics.

For 2019 entry A level Further Mathematics will be

required by all colleges.

Cambridge University (Mathematics degree)

My son/daughter loves mathematics –

how can they be stretched?

Take Further Mathematics

Participate in the Senior Maths

Challenges in the Autumn term

Study for additional qualifications

in mathematics such as AEA, STEP

or MAT, which are required for entrance to some leading

universities to study mathematics.

Other sources of information

Your maths teacher

FMSP website www.furthermaths.org.uk

Maths Careers website www.mathscareers.org.uk

Future Morph careers website www.futuremorph.org

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

www.ucas.com

Best course 4 me www.bestcourse4me.com

Tomorrow’s Engineers www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

The Institute of Physics (IOP) www.iop.org

Any questions?

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