Why should I study Mathematics?
Maths is one of the best subjects to develop your analytical, research and problem solving skills.
Studying maths help give you the knowledge to tackle scientific, mechanical, coding and abstract problems, it will also help you develop logic to tackle everyday issues like planning projects, managing budgets and even debating effectively.
Maths is a ‘facilitating’ subject, which means that it will help you to study lots of other subjects. Maths helps supports the study of subjects like physics, chemistry, IT, economics, business and biology. However, studying maths alongside essay subjects like English or history can help keep your options open for more jobs and university courses.
What will I study?
In the first year you will study three themes:
- Mathematical argument, language and proof
- Mathematical problem solving
- Mathematical modelling
These three themes will involve the study of Pure Maths, Mechanics and Statistics.
Pure Maths:
Proof, Algebra and functions, Coordinate geometry, Sequences and series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and logarithms, Differentiation and Integration
Mechanics:
Vectors, Quantities and units in mechanics, Kinematics and Forces and Newton’s laws.
Statistics:
Statistical sampling, Data presentation and interpretation, Probability, Statistical distributions and Statistical hypothesis testing.
In the second year of the course these themes will be covered in greater depth with additional content such as Numerical Methods and Moments.
Assessment
The course is assessed entirely by external examinations. There are three examinations taken at the end of the second year each two hours long containing a mix of question styles, from short, single-mark questions to multi-step problems. (If taken only as an AS there will be two exams of an hour and a half each.)
Progression Routes
Mathematics underpins the day to day activity of a wide variety of professions. It gives a route into many different careers, both in its pure form and in its application such as accounting, animation, construction, data analysis, engineering, finance, forensic analysis, investment analysis, medicine, programming science (multiple disciplines), surveying, teaching.
Further Maths
We also offer students Further Maths A-level. Students sit the AQA further mathematics A-Level. Students have the option to sit the AS paper at the end of year 12. The AS is made up of two equally weighted 90 minute papers. Paper 1 is further pure mathematics, paper 2 is mechanics and statistics. The full A-Level is made up of 3 equally weighted papers, each lasting 2 hours. Paper 1 is further pure mathematics, paper 2 is further pure mathematics and paper 3 is mechanics and statistics. The topics covered include:
- Complex Numbers
- Algebra and Series
- Curve Sketching
- Integration
- Matrices
- Vectors
- Forces & Energy
- Momentum
- Circular Motion
- Discrete and continuous random variables
- Hypothesis testing and contingency tables