Are you definitely intending to do A level Maths? Would you like the chance to do a fourth A level? Have you got good study skills and a strong GCSE profile ? Then Further Maths is for you!
Subject Information
Further Mathematics is an opportunity to study for a second A level in Mathematics alongside the main subject. You cannot study Further Maths on its own because it builds on the concepts used in Maths and explores them in greater depth. Further Maths is particularly useful as a bridge to university degree courses in subjects with a high mathematical content such as Maths, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Economics and Chemistry but is highly regarded as an elite qualification by universities in all subjects.
Like Maths, Further Maths is split into Pure and Applied sections, with the Pure content exploring concepts such as complex (imaginary) numbers, differential equations and matrices, while the Applied section extends the work on Statistics and Mechanics from the main course. There is also the potential for students to study some Decision Mathematics centred around network theory.
Further Maths is taught in a similar way to Maths and has the same focus on problem solving and modelling in the real world, although there is a greater need for independent learning.
Course Details
The Further Maths course consists of three main subject areas and each is assessed externally through examination papers. The main topics covered are:
Pure Maths (approximately 50% of the course)
- Proof
- Complex Numbers
- Matrices
- Further Algebra
- Further Calculus
- Further Vectors
- Hyperbolic Functions
- Differential Equations
- Groups
- Number Theory
- Further Sequences
Two of the following Applied Maths topics (each approximately 25%)
Mechanics
- Momentum
- Work Energy and Power
- Springs
Statistics
- Discrete Probability Distributions
- Further Hypothesis Testing
- Probability Generating Functions
Decision
- Algorithms
- Critical Paths
- Linear
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
- Grade 8 in GCSE Mathematics.
- A strong GCSE profile that suggests you have good independent study skills.
Where could Further Mathematics take me?
Further Maths is essential for many university courses in Maths and is desirable as an entry requirement for some university courses in Economics, Computing, Physics and Engineering. If you are intending to go to university to study one of these courses then you will almost certainly meet Further Maths content as part of the course.
Students who gain both Mathematics and Further Mathematics are highly employable due to the skills and knowledge learned as well as the personal attributes that success in such an elite course demonstrates.
