Curriculum – Further Mathematics
Why study A-level Further Mathematics?
Further Mathematics is a separate A-level. It provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and more sophisticated mathematical concepts. If you enjoy studying mathematics and you are good at it then you should strongly consider taking Further Mathematics. Students taking Further Mathematics find it an overwhelmingly enjoyable, rewarding and empowering experience.
Further Mathematics is a required subject if you wish to study the following courses at the best universities:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences
Edexcel course content
Pure Mathematics: You will learn about the brand new world of complex numbers. You will start to manipulate matrices and explore their applications. Proof will take more prominent role and you will look carefully at a method of proof called Induction. You will explore the geometry of parabolae and hyperbolae. Finally and perhaps the most important part of the course will be the continued study of calculus. We will consider how to solve 1st and 2nd order differential equations which provide an important foundation for further study at university.
You will have the option of studying Further Mechanics or Further Pure. Having this option is extremely valuable as it offers students the chance to study the areas of mathematics that interest them the most whilst also aligning with the subject they wish to study at university.
NCS Mathematics Enrichment
At the NCS we provide a rich and varied extra-curricular programme. For those wishing to study Mathematics at Cambridge, Oxford and other top universities we run Oxbridge preparation classes every week. These classes go beyond the A-Level curriculum, providing both depth and breadth. For Year 13s there is a focus on students taking the Oxford MAT and Cambridge STEP entrance exams.
In addition we run a series of Mathematics lectures, with speakers from the worlds of Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Industry. Previous speakers have included Oxford mathematicians Vicky Neale and David Acheson, author and journalist Simon Singh and the founder of the UKMT Tony Gardner.
Our weekly Maths society explores a wide range of mathematics and arranges trips and challenges. These have included Mathematics theatre trips, the Cipher Challenge, UKMT individual and team challenges as well as many talks both external and at the NCS.
We run weekly tutorial sessions with undergraduates from LSE and UCL. These allow students to take part in undergraduate-tutorials with students studying Mathematics at Russell Group universities.
Further reading
- Kanigel, The Man Who Knew Infinity
- Paul Hoffman, The Man Who Loved Only Numbers
- Gardner, The Colossal Book of Mathematics
- Eli Maor, To Infinity and Beyond
- David Acheson, 1089 and All That
- Marcus Du Sautoy, A Mathematician’s Journey Through Symmetry
Examination Board: Edexcel
Disclaimer: The information on this page is to be used as guidance only. The course availability and content is subject to change based on demand and time-tabling.
