Overview
Studying Maths beyond GCSE has a host of advantages for your future. Whether you are choosing Maths because you need it for a future university course, to complement your other subject choices or purely for the love and enjoyment of the subject, Maths at this level is a highly versatile qualification and a fantastic A Level to learn at Holy Cross.
A degree in Mathematics or a Mathematics related subject opens up a world of career choices in accounts, finance, investments, data science & analytics, engineering, robotics, natural sciences, computer science and plenty more. Maths leads to many high paying degrees and specialisms in the UK. According to data collected from The Complete University Guide, out of the top 10 degrees that lead to the highest start salary, the vast majority of these would require an A Level in Maths.
An A Level in Maths is valuable as a supporting subject to many courses at advanced level and degree level, especially in the sciences, geography, psychology, sociology, computing and medical courses.
The A Level course will develop your ability to solve a range of problems, and to spot mathematical patterns as well as introducing you to techniques for proving mathematical statements. In both years, you’ll study pure maths, statistics, and mechanics, with the second year, building very closely on skills and knowledge from the first year.
Pure Maths makes up two thirds of the course. Studying this will extend your knowledge and understanding of number theory, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra, and will introduce you to new and exciting concepts such as calculus, logarithms, and proof. As your Maths ability advances, you will begin to see how we use Pure Maths to model real world problems, such as bridge structures and the rate of increase of populations.
Mechanics deals with motion and the action of forces on objects. You will study problems involving such things as the motion of projectiles travelling through the air, pulley systems and two-dimensional structures. These basic principles can be used in a variety of fields including aircraft engineering, roller coaster design or satellite tracking.
Statistics facilitates the study of large amounts of information, enabling us to compare, analyse and predict trends in data. Specialists use statistics to advise on the effects of problems such as climate change and medical research and development to determine when and to what extent action needs to be taken, as an example, the recent pandemic. You will learn how some of this is done by studying both statistical and probability distributions. Examples of careers that involve a high level of statistics are Actuary, Data Analyst, Market Researcher, and Investment Analyst.
The Maths Department is extremely enthusiastic about Mathematics and offers a range of enrichment activities including:
Achieving A Level Maths will further open up your university study options and employment opportunities in areas such as science, engineering and manufacturing. Employers value the analytical and logical thinking of maths students. Your numeracy skills and your ability to interpret data are highly sought after.
A Level Maths is assessed through three two hour exams towards the end of year two. Two covering the Pure content and the third a mixture of Statistics and Mechanics.
Level: A Level
Examining Board: Pearson
Entry Requirements:
General College entry requirements.
Essential GCSE Maths grade 6 (7 recommended) and an average GCSE score of 5.50 or higher.
To discuss your qualifications with us, please get in touch.
If you really enjoy or have a passion for Mathematics and are thinking of doing a Mathematics degree or a degree with a very high mathematical content such as Physics, Engineering or Computing, then Further Mathematics could be for you. It will give you the opportunity to enhance the skills you developed during your Mathematics A Level study and to learn about new and exciting concepts not covered in the A Level syllabus, such as Complex Numbers, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolics and Differential Equations.
The course is split into four components. Two are compulsory Pure components which make up 50% of the content. There are then 2 further optional components that will consist of two of the following:
These optional components are discussed at the end of the first year.
If you’re planning on going on to university to study for a degree in subjects such as Maths, Computing, Engineering, Finance, Economics, engineering, or the Sciences then there are strong benefits to taking Further Maths. Maths areas that are part of these university subjects’ first years are covered in this course. You’ll be laying the groundwork for that first year and you should find the transition from sixth form to university far more comfortable.
The most prestigious universities require Further Maths for some courses, and some universities say that Further Mathematics is desirable, so if you know where you want to go, check what A Levels they want from you for the subject you want to study there.
For A Level Further Maths you will be assessed through four, ninety minute exams towards the end of year two.
Level: A Level
Further Maths is a challenging qualification but is also highly rewarding and you’ll reap benefits when you come to apply for university, especially if you’re interested in studying Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths related subjects (aka STEM). Areas we cover in Further Maths are studied in more depth at university and so higher education institutions welcome Further Maths. Employers equally value this qualification as an indicator of high academic ability.
Examining Board: Pearson
Entry Requirements:
General College entry requirements.
GCSE Maths grade 7 (8 recommended).
Great subjects to partner Further Maths A Level:
Physics, Computing, Economics, Chemistry
To discuss whether Further Maths is right for you, please get in touch.