AS and A Level Further Mathematics

Further Math­em­at­ics can only be stud­ied as an addi­tional AS or A level to the stand­ard A level Math­em­at­ics. The course would be suit­able for students who have achieved a grade A* at GCSE level. The aim is to broaden and deepen their math­em­at­ical know­ledge and fluency. This qual­i­fic­a­tion is partic­u­larly useful to all who intend to study degrees with a strong math­em­at­ical content, such as Engin­eer­ing, Sciences, Comput­ing and Math­em­at­ics itself.

The course contains both Pure and Applied Math­em­at­ics (Mech­an­ics, Stat­ist­ics and Decision Math­em­at­ics). The Pure Math­em­at­ics modules include matrices, complex numbers, groups and more advanced calcu­lus and algebra. Projectile motion, work, energy and power and colli­sions are covered in the Mech­an­ics module, and sampling and hypo­thesis tests on vari­ous distri­bu­tions in the Stat­ist­ics module. The Decision Math­em­at­ics modules involve model­ling real-life situ­ations using algorithms, networks, linear program­ming and crit­ical path analysis.

Further Math­em­at­ics can be taken at AS level or A level. This is achieved by using a modu­lar system.

For AS level three units are required - one compuls­ory Pure unit and two other applied units which may not include the Pure units from A level mathematics.

For A level six units are required – two compuls­ory Pure units, the other four which will normally be two Mech­an­ics, one Stat­ist­ics and one Decision Math­em­at­ics units.

Order of Aggreg­a­tion
In the major­ity of cases, certi­fic­a­tion for A level Math­em­at­ics will be made at the same time as the request for A level Further Math­em­at­ics certi­fic­a­tion. In this aggreg­a­tion process, the best A level Math­em­at­ics grade will be determ­ined first and the remain­ing units will be used to grade the Further Math­em­at­ics A level.

Specific­a­tion: OCR Math­em­at­ics (Further) AS 3892 A 7892
Click here to down­load the current specific­a­tion for this A level course.

Student comments
“Further Maths is a subject for people who are inter­ested in Maths. It is more diffi­cult than the Maths A level and requires a lot of self study. The subject is chal­len­ging and great fun.” Maggie

“Further Maths is very differ­ent from Maths.  You really can fulfil your poten­tial and chal­lenge your­self.” Xuetong

“Further Maths is essen­tially a chal­len­ging exten­sion to Maths and takes you out of your comfort zone.  It’s a great chal­lenge, but very reward­ing at the same time.” Callum