: A Level Mathematics
Exam Board: Edexcel
Download Leaflet (PDF)Further information available from: Mr Brown, Mrs Riddet-Smith
Course requirements: GCSE Maths Grade 7 or higher
Mathematics is the UK’s most popular A-level subject among those who go on to study at university. Why? Because it’s exciting, challenging, and opens doors in the future, forming the basis for a vast range of careers and academic disciplines.
A-Level Maths is a big hit with university admissions tutors. For example, the Russell Group (a collection of the UK’s leading universities) has maths on its prestigious list of ‘facilitating subjects’ – those most frequently required for their degree courses. Universities know that students with an A-Level in Maths are loaded with transferable skills, not afraid of some really solid hard work, and able to solve problems in whatever subject area they go on to study.
Is A-Level Maths suitable for me?
OK, so Maths is the UK’s most popular A-Level subject, but is it for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you to decide:
Do you enjoy maths?
If you like the buzz you get from working out the correct answer to a difficult question, or appreciate the way an equation can be used to solve a complicated problem, or find sitting and doing some maths practice strangely therapeutic, then A-Level Maths might be for you.
On the other hand, if you do well at GCSE maths but find it generally stressful and unpleasant, then you’re probably not going to want two more years of it.
Are you a well-organised, self-motivated, independent worker?
We make no secret of the fact that being successful at A-Level Maths involves lots and lots of hard work. After all, if you could get an A-Level in Maths with only moderate effort, why would all those universities and employers be so impressed? A lot of the work needed to be successful is practising questions until you’re an expert at them – you’ll need to be committed to organising your study and able to motivate yourself to get on with it – even if nobody is checking up!
What topics are studied at A-Level Maths?
Pure Maths – Lots of lovely algebra!
Statistics – Graphs, analysing data, probability
Mechanics – The maths of movement: speed, force, energy etc.
What careers or courses can maths lead to?
Here
are just a few… Accountancy, Aeronautical Engineering, Agricultural Science,
Astrophysics, Architecture, Banking & Finance, Biology, Business,
Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Civil Service, Computing, Computer Sciences,
Construction, Consultancy, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Electronic
Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Games Development, Information Technology,
Marine Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Pathology, Physics, Psychology,
Software Engineering, Teaching, Veterinary Science…