A Level

Further Mathematics must be taken alongside Mathematics and leads to a second A Level in Mathematics.  It includes a number of additional topics such as Complex Numbers, raising students’ awareness of different aspects of Mathematics in preparation for university.

AS Level

During their first year of study, some students decide they want to study Mathematics or a related degree at university, and may add AS Further Mathematics as a fourth subject to their second year programme to enhance their university application. 

Mathematics goes well with every subject and it is probably the most marketable of all subjects. There are good economic reasons for studying Mathematics and it is difficult to think of any further education course or career where it would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.

Typically, Further Mathematics students study Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry or Economics, however students are able to study any combination of courses with Further Mathematics.

A Level Further Mathematics is welcomed as a qualification for a variety of Higher Education courses.

A Further Mathematics qualification can be required for some degrees, such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering and Natural Sciences, and useful for others, such as Biochemistry and Economics. Some Economics degree courses make Maths A Level a requirement.

Many Mathematics graduates go on to work in Accountancy, Insurance, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Management or Teaching.

Further Mathematics develops the ideas covered in A Level Mathematics but in greater depth. The course covers:

  • Pure Mathematics
  • Decision Mathematics, which develops the ideas used in modern technology
  • Mechanics, which looks at the study of moving objects

Course Specific Trips, Visits & Experiences

Further Mathematics students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of course related experiences. In recent years, these have included:

In addition to course specific experiences, students also have the opportunity to get involved in the College’s Activities Programme.

All students need to gain an experience of the work place during their time at College and for students studying vocational courses it should ideally be linked to one of their subject areas.

The course is assessed by examination (100%).

The exam board for this A Level is Pearson Edexcel.

All students need to have at least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above (and a satisfactory school reference) in order to be accepted on an A Level/BTEC Level 3 Programme.  In addition, students should meet the following minimum GCSE requirement:  

  • Grade 7 in Maths

GCSE Further Maths is not a requirement.

This course is usually taken as a fourth subject.  It is suited to the College’s most able Mathematicians who can manage the academic challenge and workload.

Can I take just Further Maths and not “Normal” Maths?

You can’t study A Level Further Maths without doing A Level Maths. Most of the Further Maths topics require an understanding of the Single Maths content.

What is Further Maths useful for?

Further Maths is not only useful for those students considering a Maths degree at university. It is very well respected as a challenging subject, showing students’ ability to think through complex problems in a detailed and logical manner. It is therefore a great base for any Finance career or any role involving problem-solving or data-handling. It is also very valuable if you are applying to university to do Engineering, Physics (particularly Theoretical Physics), Economics, Computing or most other science degrees.

How much time does Further Maths take?

Further Maths takes as much time as any other subject – you will have two blocks on your timetable for Maths and Further Maths.   You will be allocated two teachers who will share both the Maths and the Further Maths content (i.e. you don’t have one teacher for Maths and one for Further Maths). You should expect to spend about the same amount of time working outside lessons as for two subjects (at around four hours per subject – that means at least eight hours of maths outside lessons).

Do I study Maths in the Lower Sixth and then Further Maths in the Upper Sixth?

That is not the way we teach the course at Reigate College. You will study first year content for Maths and Further Maths in the Lower Sixth and then the remainder of the A Level content for both Maths and Further Maths in the Upper Sixth.

Can I take Further Maths if I am doing three subjects?

You can study Maths and Further Maths as two of three subjects but it is more common to take Maths and Further Maths as two of four subjects and you are strongly advised to take this option. The main reason for this is that if you are taking only three subjects, and you find that you are not enjoying the Maths as much as you had anticipated, or are finding it harder than you expected, you have no flexibility to change.

Do I have to study Further Maths for two years if I start it in the Lower Sixth?

If your Further Maths is one of four subjects, you have the extra flexibility of being able to choose to sit the AS Further Maths exam in May/June of your Lower Sixth, should you decide you don’t want to continue with it in the Upper Sixth. Only a few students select this option, but those who do so usually decide the workload of four subjects in the Upper Sixth is too much. Others are applying to courses at university for which Further Maths is not an advantage and they want to focus their effort on getting the very highest grade possible in Maths and their other two subjects.   

If I don’t start Further Maths straight away can I do it later?

If you find that you are keen to take up Further Maths at the end of the Lower Sixth (because you have enjoyed Maths and/or Further Maths would be useful for a particular university application or a career path) then there is typically the option to study AS Further Maths in the Upper Sixth. You would then study four subjects in your final year, one of which would be A Level Maths and one the AS Further Maths.

I’m expecting a Grade 6 in GCSE Maths – can I do Further Maths?

Sorry, no. The minimum requirement for Further Maths is a Grade 7 at GCSE – in reality most of our Further Maths students have a Grade 8 or a 9. If you do not have this minimum requirement you would find Further Maths too much of a struggle.

Is it important to be good at/enjoy algebra to do A Level Maths?

Strong skills in Algebra are very important for Further Maths. An understanding of Algebra underpins much of the Maths course and even more of the Further Maths course. Calculus, Trigonometry, Mechanics, Vector Geometry, Matrices, Series all depend very heavily on your existing algebraic skills and further development of those skills throughout the course. So it is vital that your algebra is fluent and that you really enjoy this area of mathematics.

How to Apply

Applications for entry September 2025

Please apply (from 23 September 2024) via the link on this page: www.reigate.ac.uk/apply

Please see the Admissions timetable for information about the College’s enrolment process.

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