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Mathematics

Exam Board: Pearson Edexcel

Aims

The aims of the course are as follows:

  • Give students an understanding of key concepts of Pure Maths (Algebra, Calculus, and Trigonometry) and its applications to Mechanics and Statistics.
  • Encourage students to stretch the knowledge they acquired in GCSE by developing their thinking skills (to last for the rest of their academic life and beyond).
  • Provide students with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in their future Advanced Maths degree courses at university.

Entry Requirements

Students should have Grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and Mathematics, or the equivalent grade/mark in their national system of secondary education.

Course Structure

The course is divided in Pure Maths and in Applied Maths (Statistics and Mechanics).

Year 1

Pure Maths

Students will consolidate and stretch their knowledge from GCSE on algebra, coordinate geometry, calculus, trigonometry and vectors. Additionally, more demanding and challenging topics such as proof and binomial expansion are introduced at this point.

Statistics

Topics such as how to handle data, find probabilities, statistical distributions and hypothesis testing will allow students to have a wide approach to the study of statistics and its applications to fields such as Science or Economics.

Mechanics

Students will combine their knowledge of Maths with some essential Physics concepts to understand and solve problems on constant velocity motion, accelerated motion (constant and variable acceleration) and Newton’s Laws.

Year 2

Pure Maths

Student will have a closer look at the concepts learnt in Year 1 about algebra, calculus, trigonometry and vectors, stretching the scope of applications, in combination with new topics such as parametric equations and numerical methods.

Statistics

In the second year of the course, students will not only study further applications of what they learnt in the previous year, but they will also start further data analysis, regression and distribution of discrete and continuous variables.

Mechanics

With more mathematical tools acquired during the first year, students will approach more challenging mechanics problems, where the maths used is more sophisticated as well as some concepts regarding Newton’s Laws. Students will have the opportunity to study projectile motion (where accelerated and not accelerated motion work at the same time in different directions) and the application of vectors in the study of 2D and 3D motion.

Assessment

A Level Mathematics is assessed by 3 examinations:

  • Paper 1 – Written exam of 2 hours (33.3% of final grade) on Pure Maths.
  • Paper 2 – Written exam of 2 hours (33.3% of final grade) on Pure Maths (as Paper 1).
  • Paper 3 – Written exam of 2 hours (33.3% of final grade) on Applied Maths (Statistics and Mechanics).

Core Text

Pearson Edexcel A Level Mathematics (Series Editor: Harry Smith; various authors).

There are also textbooks for Pure Maths and Applied Maths (Statistics and Mechanics) – one each per year.

Careers and Opportunities

A Level Mathematics is of enormous benefit as preparation for higher education courses such as Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics. It can also broaden your experience of how the subject relates to the world in general. It is, simply, a very useful qualification to possess.

Mathematical experts are in demand across all types of industries around the world. Students studying Maths have access to career opportunities that they may never have even considered, including specialised fields such as law and medicine. However, a large number of maths careers are still based within business or science and technology-related sectors, with maths graduates able to purse a range of career opportunities, including accountancy, computing, engineering, management, surveying, teaching and town planning.

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