Close-up photo of the keys on a Scientific Calculator.

MATHEMATICS

Course Duration
2 Years

Examination Board
Edexcel

Entry Criteria
Grade 4 in English, and at least 3 other qualifications at grade 4 or above including a grade 7 on the higher tier GCSE mathematics paper.

Why study A level Mathematics?

What will I study during the course duration?

During this course, you will learn new topics, all of which are highly algebraic and are an  excellent introduction to maths at a higher level. 

  • Branching further into core maths with topics such as logarithms and exponentials,  radian measures and higher level trigonometry 
  • More complex pure maths including trigonometric proofs, further differentiation and  integration as well as numerical methods for finding solutions 
  • Further and more complex work on coordinate geometry as well as vectors in 3D
  • Mechanics: Kinematics, Forces and Newton Law, Moments – this applied module introduces students to mathematical modelling of everyday experiences, like driving a  car, throwing a ball up in the air, walking across a bridge and playing snooker
  • Statistics: Statistical sampling, presenting data and interpretation, distributions,  hypothesis testing & probability. 

How will I be assessed?

Over the two years students cover two pure units and one applied unit (statistics and  mechanics). The are 3 exams equally weighted at the end of year 13. Each exam is two  hours in length. 

  • Papers 1 & 2: Pure Mathematics 
  • Paper 3: Mechanics & Statistics

Career opportunities and Future study

Some of the most interesting and well-paid careers revolve around Maths. Careers in finance, medicine, engineering, and business are all open to people with a background in Mathematics, as are careers in technology — maths being at the very core of all new technological developments.

Careers and higher education courses requiring mathematics include, but are not limited to:

  • Data Science
  • Psychology
  • Law
  • Economics
  • Climate Change
  • Political Science
  • Astronomy
  • Forensics
  • Games Design
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Communications
  • Quantum Physics
  • Software Development 
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Programming