Further Mathematics

Why study Further Mathematics?

Further Maths is a highly desirable, if not required, A Level for many top universities, particularly for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering courses, as well as Computing and Economics. It must be studied alongside A Level Maths and is typically chosen as a fourth A Level option. 

Entry requirements 

To study A Level Further Maths, students need to have achieved a Grade 9 at GCSE.

Course content 

The course is linear and split into 50% Core Pure Maths, which is compulsory, and two 25% options. The Core Pure Maths covers complex numbers, matrices, further vectors, hyperbolic functions, and differential equations. The options can be taken from Further Pure Maths, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics, or Decision Mathematics. The options are chosen after discussion with the class. 

Additional Information

Wherever possible, we aim to timetable the Further Mathematicians’ timetables so that all Further Maths pupils are blocked in the same Maths and Further Maths sets, taking up two of our four timetable blocks in total.  

This allows us to teach an integrated and continuous Maths and Further Maths curriculum for the next two years across these combined 20 periods as one single class, rather than having to teach the qualifications as separate classes.  

This means it might not be possible for a girl to step down from Further Maths but still maintain her other curriculum choices of Maths plus two other subjects. Over the weeks, both Maths and Further Maths topics will be covered in these lessons, so it will be difficult to move from Further Maths to just Maths. Therefore, choosing Further Maths requires a firm commitment by the girls in this class. 

Further Mathematics is essential if you want to study Mathematics or Computer Science and very useful if you want to study Engineering, Economics, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, or Natural Sciences (if you want to specialise in Physics).

University of Cambridge Admissions Guidance