Edexcel
The A Level Further Maths course is highly demanding but very rewarding. You are likely to have 2, 3 or sometimes 4 Maths lessons every day and if you are excited by this then Further Maths could be for you. Further Maths is the only A Level qualification whose pre-requisite is that you study another A Level, that being Maths. The course is designed to stretch and challenge mathematics students and prepare them for university courses in mathematics and related quantitative and scientific subjects. If you are considering a Mathematics or Engineering based degree you may find that some universities will require that you have studied A Level Further Maths.
What is the structure of the course?
Core Pure Mathematics 1 & 2
These modules are algebra based, covering more abstract concepts that do not always have direct real life application. Topics include Complex Numbers, Matrices, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions, Differential Equations and Further Calculus.
Further Statistics
In the Statistics modules, you learn techniques that will enable you to use data to predict events or describe human behaviour. This module also teaches you how to test the reliability of a set of data.
Further Mechanics
This module builds on Mechanics covered in mathematics where you apply algebraic techniques to model real life physical situations.
The course is fully examined, with all exams 1 hour 30 minutes in duration and taking place at the end of the Upper Sixth:
25%: Core Pure 1
25%: Core Pure 2
25%: Option 1 (Further Statistics 1)
25%: Option 2 (Further Mechanics 1)
What are the entry requirements?
A level Further Mathematics is only suitable for high-achieving mathematicians who gain a grade 8 or 9 at GCSE and who have a genuine interest in maths. The course can only be studied by students who are also studying the separate A Level mathematics course.