GCE A Level in Mathematics

This course is for students who want to continue studying mathematics after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the topics but the A level will give you the chance to study these and some new ones in much greater depth. You'll need a good grasp of the topics you covered at GCSE and confidence to take your skills to another level. Maths is a facilitating subject which means it will prepare you for a wide range of degree subjects. It can be a recommended or in fact a necessary requirement for many mathematical, technical and scientific subjects at university. It's a good combination with most other subjects you can study at A level and will give you a useful set of transferable skills including logical reasoning, problem solving and analytical thinking skills that can lead to many different careers.

Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics

Two thirds of the course will focus on pure mathematics covering techniques in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus that form the fundamental building blocks of the subject. The remainder of the course covers the application of mathematics and there are options within decision (the application of mathematical models to real life problems) mechanics (forces, energy, motion) statistics (probability, data handling, testing hypotheses). Throughout the course you will be practising solving problems of increasing difficulty, applying the theory you have covered, developing your skills as a confident and independent mathematical thinker.

You'll learn through classroom-based teaching. There will be visits to university maths departments and the opportunity to take part in maths competitions and university guest lectures. There will be careers talks from professionals using their maths skills in the workplace and higher education maths experts.

A scientific calculator. You may wish to purchase revision textbooks at a cost of £??

Assessment is through final examination at the end of the course. There will be 3 exam papers each of 2 hours duration. Exams will comprise short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems.

Maths skills are in great demand across a wide variety of jobs and sectors from finance to engineering, commerce to healthcare. There are opportunities for entering employment through higher and degree apprenticeships across these sectors. Maths A level provides a foundation for degree level studies in a variety of subjects including mathematics, actuarial science, the natural and physical sciences, medicine engineering, business and finance, economics and many more.