Based at the Workington Academy site.
Examination Board
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics (9FM0)
Entry Criteria
GCSE Mathematics Grade 8
You must also be studying A Level Mathematics
Assessment
AS Assessment:
The course is assessed by two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes long and worth half of the total AS Level. The exams have a gradient of difficulty throughout the paper and consist of a mix of long and short questions. All questions are compulsory.
Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics
Paper 2E: Further Statistics 1 and Further Mechanics 1
A Level Assessment:
The course is assessed by four papers, each 1 hour 30 minutes long and worth 25% of the total A-Level. The exams have a gradient of difficulty throughout the paper and consists of a mix of long and short questions. All questions are compulsory.
Paper 1: Core Pure Mathematics
Paper 2: Core Pure Mathematics 2
Paper 3: Option 1 (Likely to be Further Statistics 1)
Paper 4: Option 2 (Likely to be Further Mechanics 1)
Why you should study Further Mathematics
Further Maths is a challenging qualification, which both extends and deepens your knowledge and understanding beyond the standard A level Maths. Students who do it often say it is their favourite subject. If you are planning to take a degree such as Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Finance/Economics, etc., or perhaps Mathematics itself, you will benefit enormously from taking Further Maths, at least to AS level. The course introduces new topics such as matrices and complex numbers that are vital in many STEM degrees. Students who have studied Further Maths find the transition to such degrees far more straightforward. Further Maths qualifications are highly regarded and are warmly welcomed by universities. Students who take Further Maths are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies, as well as learning mathematical topics that are very useful for any mathematically rich degree.
If you wish to study Further Maths at AS or A2 you will need to have studied Higher GCSE and achieved a grade 8 or grade 9. An initial assessment will take place (school wide policy) approximately 3 weeks into the course. This helps assess course suitability and more importantly helps us provide appropriate and early intervention and support.
Further Maths will typically be studied alongside three other A-Levels, one of which must be Maths.
Course Content
Half of the course is Pure mathematics, covering: Proof; Complex numbers; Matrices; Further algebra and functions; Further calculus; Further vectors; Polar coordinates; Hyperbolic functions; and Differential equations.
The other half of the course is made up of two optional units, with most students preferring to study statistics and mechanics.
The Statistics content includes: Discrete random variables; Poisson distributions; Geometric and negative binomial distributions; Hypothesis testing; Central limit theorem; Chi-squared tests; Probability genergating functions; and Quality of tests.
The Mechanics content includes: Momentum and impulse; Work, energy and power; Elastic strings and springs; Elastic collisions in one dimension; and Elastic collisions in two dimensions.
All units are fully supported by textbooks written specifically for this course, in addition to online resources designed to assist and supplement independent study and home learning. This includes thorough notes, exemplars, interactive demonstrations and model solutions for every topic within each unit, along with exercises at different levels and topic assessments to reinforce, consolidate and help master each technique.
Skills Developed, Progression and Possible Future Careers
The AS and A2 courses in Further Mathematics are both broader and deeper than A Level Mathematics. As well as building on the algebra and calculus introduced in A-Level Maths, the Further Maths pure core content introduces complex numbers and matrices; fundamental mathematical ideas with wide applications in mathematics, engineering, physical sciences and computing. Some prestigious university courses require you to have a Further Maths qualification and others may adjust their grade requirements more favourably to students with Further Mathematics. As with the Maths A level, there is a plethora of careers available to those who have studied Further Maths.
The non-core content includes different options that can enable learners to specialise in areas of mathematics that are particularly relevant to their interests and future aspirations, and gives learners the opportunity to extend their knowledge in applied mathematics and logical reasoning.