the Further Mathematics network

www.fmnetwork.org.uk

the Further Mathematics network

www.fmnetwork.org.uk

What Universities, Professional Institutions,

Awarding Bodies and Students are saying about Further MathsLet Maths take you

Further…

Universities and Further MathsUniversity of Bath, Mathematics: "Bath wishes to allow access to its

mathematics courses to applicants who are only able to take a single A level in mathematics and will continue to make offers to good candidates in this category. Nevertheless we would like to encourage applicants to take Further Mathematics at A or AS levels if possible, and to similarly encourage the taking of Advanced Extension papers or STEP papers.There are two reasons for this. Firstly, having studied a wider mathematics curriculum and having attempted more demanding questions is an undoubted advantage in the transition to university mathematics. Secondly, it is very hard to assess an applicant’s real mathematical potential from a single mathematics A level in which nearly 40% of students currently get an A grade. In many cases an applicant’s university place depends on their grade in Biology or Physics or English etc whereas we would prefer a better measure of mathematical ability.

Universities and Further Maths University of Birmingham, Mathematics:

Further Mathematics AS/A2 is not a requirement, but study of it is seen as an advantage. The University is prepared to be more flexible with students who have studied Further Mathematics but not met the standard offer.

Universities and Further Maths University of Bristol, Computer Science:

"Further Mathematics at AS or A2-level is also desirable, especially for the Mathematics and Computer Science course."

Universities and Further Maths University of Cambridge

Mathematics: Varies according to college, but is preferred in most colleges, and essential in some. See link:. http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/maths/requirements.html

Engineering: Further Mathematics is strongly preferred as a third A-Level in most colleges. See link: http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/guide/table1.html

Computer Science: Further Mathematics is preferred in most colleges. See link: http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/compsci/requirements.html

Universities and Further Maths University of Essex, Mathematics: "Are

you taking Further Mathematics A-level? If you are, then, if you put Essex as your firm UCAS choice, and you obtain a B or A grade in Further mathematics, then we give you £250 after two weeks at Essex! This award is in addition to any scholarship, and is not affected by grades obtained in other subjects."

Universities and Further Maths University of Leeds Mathematics: "Our offers are generally in the range

of 300-340 points from three GCE or VCE A-levels, with an A in A-level Mathematics.

If you get an A in A-level Mathematics and an A in A-level Further Mathematics, we will guarantee you a place (subject to 5 GCSEs including English at grade C or above)."

For more information please see: http://www.maths.leeds.ac.uk/school/undergraduate/

Universities and Further Maths London School of Economics, Actuarial

Science: "Usual standard offer: A level: grades A A A, one of which must be Mathematics. Further Mathematics is highly desirable."

Universities and Further Maths Oxford University Further Mathematics is recommended for Computer

Science, Mathematics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Statistics.

Further Mathematics is considered helpful for Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science and Physics.

In addition many courses recommend the study of Mechanics modules.

For more information please see: http://www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/enreq.shtml

Universities and Further Maths Queen Mary, University of London Mathematics:"We run a flexible admissions

policy and tailor our offer to match your educational background. We normally accept one grade lower in A-level Mathematics (or equivalent) if you have also passed AS or A-level Further Mathematics."

Universities and Further Maths University of Reading "In my experience, students who have taken Further Maths are

much better prepared for university study of any degree programme which has a significant mathematical content, including mathematics, engineering and economics. In terms of exposure to important mathematical concepts, support for core mathematics, improvement in general mathematical skills and maturity, together with the enhanced ability to study independently, Further Maths students definitely have an advantage over regular A level students."

Dr Paul GlaisterDepartment of Mathematics, University of Reading www.maths.rdg.ac.uk/

Universities and Further Maths University of Sheffield: Mathematics: Offers range from AAB -

BBB/ABC. A grade C in Further Mathematics might count as equivalent to a grade B in a non-mathematical subject.

Universities and Further Maths University of Southampton Mathematics: "Our Mathematics degree programmes are

designed so that they can be taken by applicants who are only able to take a single mathematics A level: many of our students fall into this category, and nearly all of them do very well.

Nevertheless we would very much like to encourage applicants to take further mathematics at either A or AS level and, if possible, to also take Advanced Extension or STEP papers. We find that students who have taken these extra qualifications handle the transition from School to University mathematics particularly well. Our admissions policy is always flexible, but if you don't quite make our offer then having taken further mathematics is normally seen as an advantage.

Our advice to applicants is - if you can't do further mathematics then don't worry, but if you can - then do it! "

Universities and Further Maths University College London Mathematics: "It should be emphasised that we

have been accepting students with a single Mathematics A level for many years. Due to the demanding nature of our courses however, the department would strongly encourage all prospective students, if possible, to study Further Mathematics GCE A level, or at least AS level Further Pure Mathematics, Mathematics AEA or STEP. This will be taken into account when considering any application. "

Universities and Further Maths The University of Warwick Mathematics: "Most applicants for taking A-Level and AS-Level

examinations will receive 2 or 3 of the following four offers - Grade A in Maths A-Level, Grades A, B in two other A-Levels

PLUS a Grade 2 in a Mathematics STEP or AEA (Advanced Extension Award) Paper.

A grades in Maths and Further Maths A- Levels, grade B in one other A- Level, and grade a in one other AS- Level;

Grade A in Maths A-Level, grade a in Further Maths AS- Level, and grades A in two other A-Levels.

Grade A in Maths A-level and grades A, A, B in three other A-levels."

Universities and Further Maths University of York Computer Science: "Inevitably, it will be an advantage to have

taken two A-levels in Mathematics, and many of our entrants will have done so. We encourage it, but we do not require it. Leaving aside the question of requirements for admission, we would in any case encourage applicants to take two A-levels in Mathematics: after the long-term changes that have taken place in the content of A-level Mathematics, taking the double A-level will ensure that you have a good basis on which to build.

The comments above, concerning double Mathematics, also apply if you are taking one-and-a-half A-levels in Mathematics. That is, an extra AS-level in Further Mathematics will always be an advantage. Also, we can often count a grade A in AS-level Further Mathematics in your favour if your main A-level Mathematics grade falls slightly short of our requirements."

Professional Institutions

The Confederation of British Industry "We welcome the increased numbers of young people studying

maths at AS and A level - and encourage them to go on to study maths and mathematics-related degrees.  However, we need to increase still further the numbers studying maths and further maths in order to meet the skills challenges ahead.  Demand for jobs with Science, Engineering and Technology skills is set to grow by 2.4 million by 2014 – and all these jobs require maths skills.   Highly numerate disciplines are in great demand from employers – young people with maths qualifications will find that their degrees can open doors to exciting and rewarding careers."

Susan Anderson, Director HR Policy, CBI

Professional Institutions

Engineering Council UK "ECUK strongly supports the work of the Further

Mathematics Network. By offering increased opportunities to students to take Further Maths at AS and A2 levels, it will help make them better prepared to enter degree courses in engineering. Furthermore by offering high quality professional development for teachers it will enhance the totality of learning and teaching in Mathematics."Andrew Ramsay, Executive Director, Engineering Council UK

Professional Institutions

Engineering Professors' Council "Mathematics is one of the essential tools of the engineer in the

21st Century. The EPC is thus committed to ensuring that the study of mathematics is available to all those students able to benefit. We have witnessed with growing concern the gradual restriction in the range of applicable mathematics covered in the A and AS level syllabus in recent years, leading to a worrying lack of mathematical fluency among many entrants to engineering degree courses. The EPC applauds the work the Further Mathematics Network has carried out todate in supporting mathematics teachers, and endorses the current drive to extend the coverage of mathematics "Professor Tony Unsworth, President, Engineering Professors' Council

Professional Institutions

The Institution of Engineering and Technology "The Institution of Engineering and Technology commends the

Further Mathematics Network for the support that it is providing to both students and teachers of further mathematics and its aim of ensuring that the subject is available to everyone who wishes to take it. Most engineering degree courses will require A levels in mathematics and physics, but those who also take further mathematics will find that the additional knowledge and skills will serve them well when they move on to Higher Education."Steve Wells Curriculum Officer, Education 5-19, The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Professional Institutions

Institute of Mathematics and its Applications "AS and A Level Further Mathematics are valuable

qualifications which give added insight into how mathematics develops and why it is useful. The Further Mathematics Network is an important initiative which will ensure that all learners in England have the opportunity to take the subject; the IMA supports it fully."Vanessa Thorogood, Education Officer, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications

Professional Institutions

London Mathematical Society "The MEI Further Maths Network is to be

complimented on the great work that it has done to further the cause of Further Mathematics in particular and mathematics in general. This has led to a significant rise in the number of students doing Further Mathematics, with advantages both in widening participation into subjects with a high mathematical content and, in the long term, contributing to the future of British science, technology and industry."Professor Chris Budd, Education Secretary, The London Mathematical Society

Professional Institutions

The Mathematical Association "The Mathematical Association strongly supports the work of the

Further Mathematics Network. It is immensely important to give all students who take mathematics at A level the opportunity to do an AS or A level in Further Mathematics and to help it be seen as both a valuable additional qualification and an opportunity to extend their mathematical background. We welcome also the way in which the project will raise the profile of the subject generally throughout the country and actively encourage a wider range of students to enjoy and extend their studies in mathematics."Doug French, President 2006-07, The Mathematical Association

Professional Institutions

Institute of Physics "Physics and mathematics are essential

requirements for entry to a physics degree. Good supplementary subjects include another science, such as chemistry or geology, and further mathematics, either to AS or A-level. Further mathematics is particularly useful preparation for courses in theoretical and/or mathematical physics, which have a more sophisticated mathematical content."Professor Peter Main, Director, Education and Science, Institute of Physics

Professional Institutions

The Royal Statistical Society "The Royal Statistical Society welcomes the establishment of the

Further Mathematics Network. It is wonderful that everyone studying advanced-level mathematics should now have access to Further Mathematics topics. The Society is particularly pleased that it gives opportunities to engage in further study of statistics and other applied mathematics topics; this is especially important now that the possibilities of doing so within A-level Mathematics are very limited."Gerald Goodall, Director of Education and Professional Affairs, The Royal Statistical Society

Awarding Bodies

AQA "The study of Further Mathematics brings a greater

breadth and depth to a student’s mathematical experience, leads to highly regarded qualifications and positively benefits further study beyond A level.  AQA wishes to actively promote the study of Further Mathematics and fully supports the work of the Further Mathematics Network in achieving this aim."Neil Buckley MBE, Chair of Examiners, GCE Mathematics, AQA

Awarding Bodies

Edexcel "Edexcel is fully committed to widening

participation and so welcomes and fully supports the work of the Further Mathematics Network in promoting Further Mathematics and making it available to more learners. "Keith Pledger, Mathematics Chair of Examiners, Edexcel

Awarding Bodies

OCR "OCR welcomes, and fully supports, the work

of the Further Mathematics Network in promoting Further Mathematics "OCR

Students

"I enjoyed the course and it helped consolidate my decision to study maths at university. The distance learning taught me study skills which proved helpful in the transition from school to university and in some respects I felt better prepared for independent study than students who had been able to take further maths at their own schools. Its structure mirrors quite closely the lecture-tutorial system at some universities. The universities to which I applied were interested in and impressed by my participation in the course. It helped to develop my understanding of the subject, as well as my belief in my own ability and gave me the self confidence to make my successful application to Oxford. I would recommend it to anyone." Lily Gibbs

Students

"FM was the highlight of my day. It was very much enjoyable, and we had a whole load of fun. FM persuaded me to go to university to do Maths, and I am currently at the University of Leicester doing an MMath course. I've just begun my second year, and I found regularly in my first year that aspects of Maths that we'd gone through in FM had come in as priceless during my first year on the degree. " Adnan Vohra

Students

The Further Maths Course was the best thing I did in the Sixth Form. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study Further Maths when I was in year 12 and went on to complete both years of the course. I found that the course not only gave me an advantage over other students when applying for university places but it also really helped my understanding of Maths and made everything on the A Level Maths course seem so much easier.Wednesday afternoons at Warwick Uni were great. I made some great friends through the course who I still speak to regularly. They’re all at uni and are really enjoying it. The Further Maths course is hard work but well worth it." Jenny Kenning

Students

"Due to the great distance between Formby and Manchester, not many lessons could be arranged. At first I thought that this may be a problem but I was mistaken. The teachers were great. In just one visit I would be taught what would have taken weeks in a normal class. The availability of the teachers to answer questions and help with any problems was also very good. Someone was always available by phone or e-mail whenever I needed them." James Thompson

Students

"Having done full Further Mathematics A-level in one year, I found it is a really challenging course. It is not easy, I have to say; but it is a really good way of improving your way of thinking. If you want to prove that you have more talent than other students, do it, and you will find your way of proving yourself!" Luo Yu Wei

Students

This course has been really beneficial to me, not least because it gave me the opportunity to learn Further Maths which, unfortunately, was unavailable to me at my college and also that it has enabled me to achieve a higher standard in Maths. It is different from other methods because it depends on self-study rather than taking notes in class. The MEI site has been particularly helpful as students can access it at any time and of course my tutor has always been available to help and assist." Varunjay Ahluwalia