Further Mathematics AS/A Level 3

Applications Open: - 13th October 2025

Applications Close: - 18th November 2025

How to Apply: - Please apply directly to the school via our website www.twggs.kent.sch.uk. Follow the route 'Joining TWGGS', 'Joining The Sixth Form' to complete your application on Applicaa. For enquiries please contact admissions@twggs.kent.sch.uk.

We don't accept applications through Kent Choices.

Entry Requirements: - Entrance Criteria

Pupils entering the Sixth Form will be expected to have attained an average overall GCSE point score of at least 6 from their top 6 subjects. They must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in either English Language or Mathematics and a grade 4 in the other of English Language or Mathematics, and are usually expected to achieve at least a grade 7 in the subjects they wish to pursue at A level (or related subjects, as agreed by the school). In addition, pupils wishing to take Art or Design Technology will be expected to submit a portfolio of artwork and pupils wishing to take Music will be expected to have reached at least Grade 5 in their instrument or voice.

Offers will be made on the basis of predicted performance at GCSE, with the requirement that the above grades are achieved in the final examinations prior to entry to the Sixth Form and the pupil’s 3 or 4 chosen subjects being accommodated on the timetable, with no group size exceeding its maximum number of pupils.

All offers made during Year 11 are conditional on pupils meeting the grade criteria specified and will only become firm offers upon confirmation of actual GCSE results.

EXAM BOARD: EDEXCEL

Any pupil capable of passing an A Level in Mathematics should also be able to pass AS Further Mathematics. Studying Further Mathematics consolidates and reinforces your standard A Level mathematics work, helping you to achieve your best possible grades.

If you are planning to take a degree such as Engineering, Sciences, Computing, Finance/Economics, etc., or perhaps Mathematics itself, you will benefit enormously from taking Further Mathematics, at least to AS Level. AS Further Mathematics introduces new topics such as Matrices and Complex Numbers that are vital in many STEM degrees. Pupils who have studied Further Mathematics find the transition to such degrees far more straightforward. If you decide to study for a mathematically rich degree during Lower Sixth, but are not taking AS Further Mathematics, it is often possible to start AS Further Mathematics alongside A Level Mathematics in the Upper Sixth.

Further Mathematics qualifications are highly regarded and are warmly welcomed by universities. Pupils who take Further Mathematicians are really demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies, as well as learning Mathematics, which is very useful for any mathematically rich degree. Some prestigious university courses require you to have a Further Mathematics qualification and others may adjust their grade requirements more favourably to pupils with Further Mathematics.

If you are not planning to study for mathematically rich degrees but are keen on Mathematics, you will find Further Mathematics a very enjoyable course. Achieving this qualification identifies you as having excellent analytical skills whatever area you are considering for a career.

A LEVEL EXAMINATION

FURTHER MATHEMATICS A LEVEL: 4 papers each 1 hour 30 minutes

PAPER 1, WEIGHTING 25%

Pure- Content overview

Proof, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Further Algebra and Functions, Further Calculus, Further Vectors.

PAPER 2, WEIGHTING 25%

Pure- Content overview

Complex Numbers, Further Algebra and Functions, Further Calculus, Polar Coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions, Differential Equations.

NB: All the content of the specification for Paper 1 is assumed knowledge for Paper 2 and may also be tested within parts of questions. Paper 2 is designed to build upon the content of Paper 1.

PAPER 3, WEIGHTING 25%

Option 1: Further Statistics 1 - Linear Regression, Statistical Distributions (discrete), Statistical, Distributions (continuous), Correlation, Hypothesis Testing, Chi Squared Tests.

PAPER 4, WEIGHTING 25%

Option 2: Decision Mathematics 1 – Algorithms and Graph Theory, Critical Path Analysis and Linear Programming.

*Also offered as an AS Level, spaces permitting

You could take this course to complement an Advanced GCE in Mathematics or as part of the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics, which will support entry to higher education in areas of Mathematics, Electronics, Economics, Physics or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to Mathematics such as an Accountant, Engineer or Teacher. You could also go straight into a job as the AS GCE is a recognised qualification that will help you develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for, especially in the economic and engineering sectors. You could take this course to compliment other advanced level courses, such as Economics, Physics or more general higher education courses, or to prepare for the A2 part of an Advanced GCE in Mathematics, which could lead onto higher education in areas of Mathematics. With further training there are a number of professions available to a pupil of Mathematics including accountancy, financial advisory services or teaching, to name a few. You could also go straight into a job as the GCE is a recognised qualification that will help you to develop the skills, understanding and knowledge that many employers across lots of industries are looking for.