Why study A-level Maths and Further Maths?

Universities value Maths and it is a pre-requisite subject for a huge number of degrees. People who have studied Maths/ Further Maths have an excellent choice of careers, many of which involve very well-paid professions.

Maths and Further Maths are two of the Russell Group universities' 'facilitating' subjects — so-called because choosing them at A-level allows a wide range of options for degree study. Sciences such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics use many mathematical techniques, and subjects such as Geography, Psychology and Sociology are also likely to have components which will be far more easily mastered by those with prior study of Mathematics.

Further Maths is also highly desirable, if not required, by many top universities for Mathematics, Science and Engineering courses, as well as Computing and Economics. It may be studied alongside, or after, A level Mathematics.

What will you study within Maths/ Further Maths A-level?

Specific content covered within A-level Maths and Further Maths may vary from school to school, and depending on the exam board followed. Within the Edexcel spcification, topics fall into two categories for A-level Maths: Pure Maths and Applied Maths. Specific areas of study may include aspects such as algebra, differentation, vectors, trigonometry, statistical sampling and testing, mechanics, kinematics and probability.

Within the Edexcel spcification, Further Maths A-level covers Pure Maths and Statistics, with specific topics including coordinate systems, further trigonometry, inequalities, further vectors, further calculus, Poisson and binomial distributions,geometric and negative binomial distributions and The Central Limit Theorem.

What skills will you get from studying Maths?

Mathematical and statistical problem solving, data analysis and interpretation skills are all developed through the study of A-level Maths and are considered valuable in a broad range of subject areas.

What careers can studying Maths lead to?

Some of the most interesting and well-paid careers revolve around Maths. Careers in finance, medicine, engineering, and business are all open to people with a background in Mathematics, as are careers in technology — Maths being at the very core of all new technological developments.

Top 20 universities for Maths
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Below are real-life examples of what university degrees studying A-level Maths and Further Maths, in combination with other subjects, can lead to.

For more details on the Maths and Further Maths A-levels and syllabuses, take a look at our A Level subject pages.