Further Mathematics

Exam Board

Additional Entry Requirements

Grade 8 in GCSE mathematics and grade 5 in English language.

NB.Further Maths can only be taken as part of a 4 A level programme.

NB.August Enrolment: Students who achieve GCSE Maths, grade 9 in August, will be permitted to study Further Maths as part of a 3 A level programme.

Course Content

Why further mathematics?

This is a challenging qualification which both extends and deepens your knowledge and understanding beyond standard A level mathematics. It identifies you as having excellent mathematical, problem solving and analytical skills.

You will develop the ability to work in a team, communicate effectively and show initiative. If you are planning to take a degree such as engineering, sciences, computing, finance/economics or especially maths itself, you will benefit enormously from taking this course, as it introduces new topics such as matrices and complex numbers that are vital in many STEM degrees. Indeed, some prestigious university courses require further maths.

We provide opportunities to hear from engaging speakers with mathematical backgrounds, both on site and at external lectures, in addition to trips to mathematical shows and events. We have an experienced team of enthusiastic teachers, who provide excellent support and inspiration to students.

Course content

You’ll develop and extend your understanding, apply skills learnt in a range of situations, and encounter new concepts, including topics such as matrices, complex numbers, differential equations and hyperbolic functions. In addition to the pure mathematics half of the course, there are options involving more mechanics (where you will study areas including circular motion, variable forces, energy and kinematics) or more statistics (where you will meet and interact with more advanced probability scenarios, statistical distributions and hypothesis testing), or decision mathematics (algorithms, linear programming and graph theory) or further pure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click on the headings below.

Why should I study further maths?

Further maths is a second A level in maths and is advised and even necessary for certain degrees at certain universities. If you want to do a maths degree you should do Further Maths. But also if you wanted to study science, economics, engineering or computing at Cambridge, for example, you should do further maths.

How many hours a week do we do maths?

You have 5 hours in lesson, but you are expected to do 5 hours a week outside of lesson. You are given lots of practice and you have to do independent work worth at least 5 hours a week at least to keep on track. If you are studying further maths, that is a second A level so the time doubles.

Which exam board do you use?

We teach Edexcel for both maths and further maths. Further maths students generally study further statistics and mechanics, but some do decision maths (algorithms and networks).

Is there any extra help outside of lessons?

Yes, we run maths tutorials for drop-in extra help; we also have a mentoring programme for those who need more regular 1-1 support

Do I need to buy a new calculator?

Yes, your GCSE scientific calculator will not be adequate as it lacks certain functions that the exam requires. We recommend you get the Casio 991EX Classwiz as this will be what most students have. We have a calculator emulator that we can display on our screens to guide you through how to use it (and it will look like the Casio 991EX Classwiz).

Do I need a graphical calculator?

Graphical calculators can be expensive. Some students do like to have them, but the course does not require them, even further maths. There are no questions you can do on the graphical calculator that you can’t do on the normal calculator and only very occasionally is it more useful (some graph sketching). If you do want to get one, maybe look at the Casio fx-CG50.

What support is available for students who wish to take maths (or a related subject) at university?

In lower sixth there are weekly sessions for students who are interested in maths beyond sixth form where we teach how to approach entrance exam style questions, particularly focusing on the Oxbridge STEP/MAT examinations. We continue this support into upper sixth, as well as offering rigorous interview practice for our students.

How will we be assessed in our first year if there is no AS level?

There will be a diagnostic test usually in the fourth week of your first term. This assesses everything taught up to that point. There is an end of year assessment which strongly influences your UCAS prediction. There are also two other big assessments throughout year 1.

What kind of careers can you do with maths?

Maths is useful for a range of careers including in science, engineering, computing, finance and economics. But mathematicians are often sought after in other careers too because they are good at problem-solving and are systematic and logical. Lots of government ministers, headteachers, and all sorts of people have maths degrees.

Should I do maths if I want to go to medical school?

You do not need maths: biology and chemistry are the essential choices. You can choose maths as your third but only if you are good at it and enjoy it.

“Even though there are complex concepts, it’s the simplicity of maths that I find attractive. It’s logical and objective, there are no grey areas. When everything else around you is all over the place, maths is almost… comforting.

I’m planning to go into engineering and I think further maths will make my first year at university easier, having already familiarised myself with some of the concepts.

It’s really easy to make friends here. I did maths academy for Woodhouse Plus and if you join any clubs and societies you’ll always find people like you.”

AAHNA

The Archer Academy