Q: Why study Maths?
The Career opportunities that open up to you if you have an A Level in Maths or Further Maths are great, there are a huge shortage of people with STEM skills. There are many jobs new and old which would open up including Games Design, Programming, Aircraft Modelling, Acoustic Engineering, Astronomy, Forensics and DNA sequencing.
Q: What calculator will I need to buy?
We use the Casio FX CG50 but wait until you arrive at college as we can sell them to you significantly cheaper than you would find them elsewhere (around £60). If you are entitled to a bursary then that will cover the cost of the calculator. If you have any issues paying in full at the start of term, please speak to your maths teacher about it and we will do all we can to help.
Q: What is the difference between Maths and Further Maths?
The Further Maths Qualification has to be studied in addition to A level maths. There are some topics in Further Maths that extend ideas met in maths, but there are some completely new topics like imaginary numbers and matrices.
Q: Do I need to enrol on the AS or A level Further Maths?
If you choose Further Maths you will do the AS exam at the end of year 12. You can then make the decision whether to continue with the course to A Level in year 13. This is why a lot of the further maths students take 4 subjects and some continue with only 3 in year 13.
Q: Will I be with the same group of people for maths and further maths?
No – you will be in a Maths Group and in a different Further Maths group – although there may be some of the same people in both of your classes obviously. It means you get more chance to make Maths friends! 😊
Q: Are any of the exams non calculator like at GCSE?
No – all your A level Maths Papers are calculator papers.
Q: How many lessons a week do I have in Maths?
As with all of your subjects, you get 3 lessons per week – which means that if you are studying Further Maths then you have 6 lessons of maths a week.
Q: What is Maths Studies?
Maths studies – or Core Maths as it is also known – is a L3 qualification which is the equivalent of an AS level. It can be studied alongside 3 other A levels/BTECs – and the entry requirement is grade 4 at GCSE maths. It is a great option for anyone who wants to continue with some maths but doesn’t want to do the traditional Maths A level. Maths Studies covers real life maths – loans, tax, statistical modelling…
Q: What grades do I need?
You need a grade 7 or higher in GCSE Maths to study A Level Maths. You need a grade 8 or 9 to study A Level or AS Level Further Maths.
Q: What exam board do you use?
We use the AQA exam board.
Q: What do people go on to after studying A Level Maths or Further Maths?
85% of students who studied Maths and FM went on to university courses studying Maths, Theoretical Physics, Natural Sciences, Finance, Accountancy among many other subjects. The others went on to apprenticeships or employment.
Q: What are the benefits to studying Further Maths as well as Maths?
Students studying Further Maths find it an enjoyable, rewarding and stimulating experience that extends and deepens their understanding beyond A Level Mathematics. Students who take Further Maths find that extra time studying mathematics boost their grades in A Level Maths.
Further Maths qualifications are highly regarded by universities. If you are considering applying to study a degree in a STEM subject you should consider taking Further Mathematics to at least AS level alongside A level Mathematics. 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. Further Maths also makes the transition from sixth form to university courses which are mathematically rich much easier as more of the first year course content will be familiar.
Q: What enrichment activities are there in the Maths department?
The fun enrichment opportunities that we offer involve a senior maths challenge (including a group challenge), a residential trip to London (to Bletchley Park to learn about coding in the war and Thorpe Park to see the Maths behind roller-coasters) and a day trip to MathsFest which is run by ‘Maths Inspiration’.
We hope that the Course video, FAQs and Subject Live chat have answered all your questions about the course. If you do have any other generic questions, please contact the course leader [email protected] or [email protected].
Please note that queries about your individual progression onto the course should be directed to [email protected]
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