CRIMINOLOGY
APPLIED DIPLOMA
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A Level
Further Mathematics
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Awarding
Body
Hours
Per Week
UCAS
Points
Pass
Rates
Campus
Level
Edexcel
4.5
A* = 56
100%
Filton
3
100% A* - C
If you are looking to study A-Levels please apply for up to three subjects. Simply add each course to your basket or visit our Apply section.
Do you have a real passion for Mathematics? Are you thinking about a career or a degree in Mathematics, engineering, the physical sciences, or computing? Do you want to use your ability in Maths to obtain a fourth subject to help distinguish yourself to employers and universities? If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ then Further Mathematics is the subject for you!
A Level Further Mathematics is taken as a fourth subject, alongside A Level Mathematics. You will choose two other subjects to complete your study programme. Further Mathematics develops and hones the skills learnt in A level Mathematics.
Further Mathematics is studied from the Edexcel board. You will sit the AS exams at the end of the first year and then progress to the A Level in the second year which has four exam papers.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 and above, including English Language and a grade 8 in GCSE Maths.
Learners taking Further Mathematics must also study A Level Mathematics. Further Mathematics can only be studied as a fourth subject.
You will learn a combination of Core Pure Maths, Further Statistics and Further Mechanics in both years further developing your skills and knowledge in key areas of maths.
Year 1
1. ‘Core Pure Maths’: You will construct proofs using mathematical induction, deal with complex numbers and develop the use of Argand diagrams. You will use matrices to represent transformations and further develop your use and understanding of algebra, calculus, and vectors.
2. ‘Further Statistics’: You will develop further skills in discrete probability distributions and explore Poisson and binomial distributions. You will extend ideas of hypothesis testing and use of Chi Squared Test.
3. ‘Further Mechanics’: You will explore principles such as momentum and impulse, develop an understanding of kinetic and potential energy and the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. You will additionally investigate elastic collisions in one dimension through direct impact of elastic spheres.
Year 2
1. ‘Core Pure Maths’: You will further develop your skills with algebra including the Maclaurin series and evaluating improper integrals whilst extending your skills in calculus by differentiating inverse trigonometric functions and developing further skills for integration.
2. ‘Further Statistics’: You will build on your knowledge from the previous year and explore geometric and negative binomial distributions, hypothesis testing and the central limit theorem. You will also explore the use of probability generating functions of the negative binominal, geometric, binomial and Poisson distributions.
3. ‘Further Mechanics’: This unit will also build on your knowledge of mechanics from the previous year with a further focus on momentum as a vector, elastic strings and springs. You will also explore elastic collisions in two dimensions and how kinetic energy is lost through impact.
Further Mathematics is an ideal subject to take if you are looking for a career in maths, the sciences or engineering. A useful subject combination to take includes Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and another subject as similar themes are studied in both subjects. Learners who take Further Maths often have the entry criteria for university study lowered. Some of the most interesting and well-paid careers revolve around Maths. Careers in finance, medicine, business, and engineering are all open to you with a background in Maths, as are careers in technology – Maths being at the very core of all new technological developments. This makes Maths a natural fit for you to take alongside subjects such as the Sciences or Business and Economics.
If you study Further Mathematics, you can benefit from our maths mentor programme where older learners and dedicated maths mentors help to support and guide newer learners in the Sixth Form. When you reach the second year you can also become a mentor yourself helping to further build a UCAS application. The maths department also run a drop-in maths clinic twice a week for you to obtain bespoke support and guidance with your mathematical problems. You will also get the opportunity to enter for the Senior UK Maths Challenge and some of our learner's progress to the British Mathematical Olympiad. We support those who wish to study Maths or a Maths related subject at Oxford, Cambridge or at Russell Group universities, and you can get bespoke support with your application through our Honours Programme. You could take part in one of the problem-solving courses at Bath/Bristol University or engage with university academics and employers in our STEM@Lunch and SGS Sixth Talks series.
"SGS Sixth was an amazing experience for me. My teachers were always on hand to help with any of my problems and ensure I achieved my maximum potential."
