Mathematics and Further Mathematics are versatile qualifications, well-respected by employers and are both “facilitating” subjects for entry to higher education. Careers for those with good mathematics skills and qualifications are not only well paid, but they are also often interesting and rewarding.

A level Mathematics is an interesting and challenging course which extends the methods you learned at GCSE and includes applications of mathematics to statistics and mechanics.

Skills required

A Grade 7 or above at GCSE level is required to study A level Maths and sound algebraic skills are essential. Transition work is supplied in the summer before commencing studies in order to consolidate and strengthen each candidate’s algebraic skills.

Course Description

The new A level in maths was launched in September 2017. The most significant change in the reform of A level Maths is a move from a modular course to a linear course, meaning examinations are all at the end of the course. The course consists of two-thirds pure content and one-third applied content that is divided equally between statistics and mechanics.

Topics studied in A level Maths

In pure maths we explore algebra, exponential and logarithm functions, vectors, advanced trigonometry, calculus and numerical methods. In applied maths we explore kinematics, Newton’s Laws, motion in 2D, probability, the normal distribution and hypothesis testing.

Assessment

The Edexcel A level mathematics qualification consists of three externally examined papers. Papers one and two assess the pure maths content and paper three assesses statistics and mechanics. All papers are two hours long and are 100 marks each.