Overview
A-level Further Mathematics is designed to broaden and deepen the mathematical knowledge and skills developed when studying A-level Mathematics. It may be studied alongside or after taking A level Mathematics. Studying both A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics provides a foundation for further studies in any Science or Maths-based course, ranging from Computer Science, Medical Sciences, and Psychology to Statistics, Management and Actuarial Science.
Key Facts
- 5 September 2022
- 3 January 2023
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- London
- Oxford
- Academic: Completed 10 years of schooling (GCSE or equivalent)
- English: IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
- 2 Academic Years (3 terms)
- We also offer a One-Year A-level in Further Maths and an entry from Year 12.
- Average 7 hours per week for each A-level subject (plus homework and private study)
Learning outcomes
- Gain UK national university entrance qualification
- Raise English to university level
- Develop study skills required at degree level
- Develop specialist subject expertise
Course content and structure
The following syllabus outline is based on AQA exam board content. Please note that exam boards may vary from college to college.
Year 1
- Coordinate systems (part 1)
- Inequalities (part 1)
- Further Trigonometry
- Further vectors (part 1)
- Poisson and binomial distributions (part 1)
- Discrete probability distributions
- Poisson and binomial distributions (part 2)
- Chi squared tests (part 1)
Year 2
- Further vectors (part 2)
- Coordinate systems (part 2)
- Inequalities (part 2)
- Further numerical methods
- Further calculus
- Further differential equations
- Geometric and negative binomial distributions
- Hypothesis testing
- The Central Limit Theorem
- Chi squared tests (part 2)
- Probability generating functions
- Quality of tests
Typical A-level subject combinations with Further Maths
- Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Chemistry
- Further Maths, Maths, Chemistry and Biology
- Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Chemistry
- Further Maths, Maths, Economics, Geography
- Further Maths, Maths, Physics and Economics
Sample enrichment activities
- Bletchley Park visit
- The Big Bang fair, NEC Birmingham
- UK Maths Challenge
- Astronomy Club
- Business Enterprise
- Science Club
Sample academic calendar (2021-2022)
Year 1
- 6th: term starts
- Student induction
- 18 – 22nd: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 10th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 10th – 11th: half term
- Progress tests
- University fairs
- End of term exams
- 18th: term ends
Year 2
- 19th – 25th: half term
- 15th October: UCAS deadline (Medicine)
- Progress tests
- University fairs and talks
- 11th: term ends
- End of term exams
- 4th: term starts
- 15th January: UCAS deadline (other subjects)
- 12 – 13th: half term
- Progress tests
- 19th: term ends
- Mock exams
- 5th: term starts
- Progress tests
Recommended reading
Below is a list of books which may help you prepare for your studies prior to arrival. Please note that additional books, and online resources such as websites and journals will be shared once you begin your course.
- Proofiness: How You’re Being Fooled by the Numbers by Chares Seife
- The Mathematical Experience by Philip J. Davis
- The Drunkard’s Walk by Leonard Mlodinov
- Oxford Student’s Mathematics by Oxford Dictionaries
- Oxford Content and Language Support: Mathematics by Caroline Meyrick and Judy Roberts
Degree progression
Further Maths has wide applications in industry, business, finance, science, technology and many others.
There are a number of degree courses where A-level Further Maths is favoured — including Chemistry, Maths, Medicine and some Engineering programmes.
Sample alumni progression
- Maths/Further Maths/Physics
- University of Edinburgh (Maths)
- Maths/Further Maths/Physics
- University of Manchester (Artificial Intelligence)
- Maths/Further Maths/Chemistry
- University of Manchester (Maths)
- Maths/Further Maths/Physics/Chemistry
- Imperial College London (Mechanical Engineering)
- Further Maths/Maths/Biology/Physics
- University of Oxford (Engineering)
