What is Further Mathematics?

• Further Mathematics is an AS/A level qualification which both broadens and deepens the mathematics covered in AS/A level Mathematics.
• AS level Further Mathematics is designed to be learnt alongside AS level Mathematics in year 12, or taken up as a new AS subject alongside A2 Mathematics in year 13.

Why study Further Mathematics?

Please also see 'Is AS/A level Further Maths for me?'

There are many good reasons to take Further Mathematics:

• Students taking Further Mathematics overwhelmingly find it to be an enjoyable, rewarding, stimulating and empowering experience.
• For someone who enjoys mathematics, it provides a challenge and a chance to explore new and/or more sophisticated mathematical concepts.
• It enables students to distinguish themselves as able mathematicians in the university and employment market .
• It makes the transition to a mathematics-rich university course easier.
• Some prestigious university courses will only accept students with Further Mathematics qualifications.

By studying Further Mathematics through the FMSP, students also:

• taste a more independent style of learning, which is good preparation for university or a career;
• have the chance to work with like-minded students from other schools and colleges;
• in many cases, have regular input through a local university.

Any student planning to take a mathematics-rich degree (this covers a very wide range of academic areas - Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Finance/Economics, etc., as well as Mathematics itself) will benefit enormously from taking Further Mathematics, at least to AS level.

Students who are not planning to study for mathematics-rich degrees but who are keen on mathematics will find Further Mathematics a very enjoyable course and having a Further Mathematics qualification identifies students as having excellent analytical skills, whatever area they plan to study or work within.

AS Further Mathematics introduces new topics such as matrices and complex numbers that are vital in many mathematics-rich degrees. Students who have studied Further Mathematics find the transition to such degrees far more straightforward.  Studying Further Mathematics also boosts students’ performance in AS/A-level Mathematics.

Any student capable of passing an AS/A level in Mathematics should also be able to pass AS Further Mathematics. Studying Further Mathematics also consolidates and reinforces students’ standard A level Mathematics work,  helping them to achieve their best possible grades. 

Students planning to study for a mathematics-rich degree who did not begin AS Further Mathematics in year 12 can choose to study it alongside A level Mathematics in year 13.

Students who are especially keen on Mathematics will really enjoy the full A level in Further Mathematics. It is a challenging qualification, which both extends and deepens students’ knowledge and understanding beyond the standard A level Mathematics.  Students who do it often say it is their favourite subject.

Further Mathematics qualifications are highly regarded and are strongly welcomed by universities. Students who take Further Mathematics are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies, as well as learning mathematics that is very useful for any maths-rich degree. See: What the Universities say about Further Mathematics

Updated by CS 01/08/09