Delete this slidePresentation for parents / carersThese slides form an approximately 20-30 minute presentation for parents/carers about the importance of studying Maths and Further Maths at A level.They can be adapted and used for a presentation to students and/or their parents/carers.Please add or remove slides to suit your talk/event

Why study Mathematics?

A guide for Students, Parents and Carers

What does A level Mathematics involve?What is Further Mathematics?Why should my daughter/son study A level Mathematics?What are the career opportunities with A level Mathematics?Is A level Mathematics needed for entry to university degree courses?

Important questions

What is covered in A level Mathematics?A level Mathematics is a mix of pure (core) mathematics (4 units), and applications of mathematics (2 units). The Core units cover topics such as algebra, graphs, calculus and trigonometry.Students study 2 applied units chosen from Decision Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics.

Year 12Year 13AS level MathsCore 1Core 2Applied Unit 1A level MathsCore 1Core 2Applied Unit 1Core 3Core 4Applied Unit 2

What is Decision Mathematics? Decision Mathematics - finding efficient solutions to real life problems

e.g. what would be the most efficient route for delivering postaround a network of streets?This topic uses algorithms whichare vital in computer science.(Image taken from http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/FSMA%20Chinese%20postman%20problems%20student.pdf)

What is Mechanics? Mechanics modelling the physics of the world around us e.g. at what angle should a cricketer aim to hit the ball in order to maximise the distance the ball will travel? Students planning careers in physics or engineering would find mechanics particularly useful.

What is Statistics?Statistics collecting and analysing data and using this to make predictions about future events.e.g. actuaries study statistical information to calculate the risk of a driver of a certain age having a car accident. This information would be used by insurers in establishing the cost of the annual premiums.

What is Further Mathematics?Further Mathematics is an additional AS or A level qualification taken alongside A level Mathematics.It is designed to stretch and challenge able mathematicians introducing new techniques and concepts such as complex numbers and matrices.It is excellent preparation for degree courses in Mathematics and other mathematical subjects.A level Further Maths is an additional 6 units of mathematics, at least 2 units of pure mathematics and up to 4 applied units.

Mathematics and Further Mathematics-example plan of a student taking full A levels in both subjectsApplied Units cover statistics, mechanics or decision mathematicsScores in AS Units are counted again as part of the A-level qualification.

AS levelMathsCore 1Core 2Applied Unit 1A level MathsCore 1Core 2Applied Unit 1Core 3Core 4Applied Unit 2AS level Further MathsFurther Pure 1Applied Unit 3Applied Unit 4A level Further MathsFurther Pure 1Applied Unit 3Applied Unit 4Further Pure 2Applied Unit 5Further Pure 3 orApplied Unit 6

Why study Mathematics A levels?Studying Mathematics and Further Mathematics will:provide a stimulating and challenging course develop key employability skills such as problem-solving, logical reasoning, communication and resilience;increase knowledge and understanding of mathematical techniques and their applicationssupport the study of other A level subjectsprovide excellent preparation for a wide range of university courseslead to a versatile qualification that is well-respected by employers and higher education

Why study AS/A level Maths?The number of students taking mathematics is increasing each year

AS/A level Further Maths entries

Entries for A level subjects 2014Mathematics is now the most popular A level subject in the UK

What are the career opportunities?

what was once the domain of the exceptionally gifted has become the currency of how we live. Maths is the universal language of the modern world - and across every career and every discipline, its importance will only grow.That is why I want to see more girls taking maths

Elizabeth Truss, previous Education MinisterWhat are the career opportunities?

Maths is the only A level proven to increase earnings in later life - by an average of 10%.

(Source www.gov.uk/government/speeches/elizabeth-truss-on-support-for-maths-and-science-teaching)

What are the career opportunities?

Common MisconceptionsYou only do a maths degree to become a maths teacher.Further Maths is an A level just for students who want to become engineers or physicists.Unless you plan to do a STEM degree, you dont need maths at A level.Most careers that require maths A level are male-dominated.

Mathematics with other A levelsA Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics can be taken with any combination of A Levels.Mathematics particularly reinforces the work done in

Physics and ChemistryBiology, Geography, PsychologyBusiness Studies and EconomicsPhysical Education

There is a huge shortage of people with STEM skills needed to enter the workforce. There are many new applications of mathematics in technology:

Games DesignInternet SecurityProgrammingCommunications Ironclad Games Corporation Vancouver, BC.What are the career opportunities?

On-going applications in engineering, such as Aircraft Modelling Fluid Flows Acoustic Engineering Electronics Civil Engineering.and new scientific processes such as modelling populations and Diseases Quantum Physics, Astronomy,Forensics andDNA sequencing.What are the career opportunities?

Financial systems and online purchasing systems are also underpinned by mathematics, relying heavily on online security and encryption. GCHQWhat are the career opportunities?GCHQ has the largest group of mathematicians working anywhere in the country!

Other areas includeWhat are the career opportunities?FinanceActuarial Work, Accountancy, Banking, Financial ModellingStatisticsMedical Statistics, Market Research, Government Policy AdviceBusinessLogistics, Traffic Planning, Project Management, ConsultancyLawTeaching/LecturingMedicineDentistry, Pharmacy, Doctors, Nursing

Is A level Further Mathematics just for those who want to be physicists or engineers?No, AS Further Mathematics is no more difficult than A level MathematicsFurther Mathematics introduces some fascinating new topics.The extra maths has been shown to boost students A level Mathematics grades.

Is A level Mathematics needed for entry to university degree courses?

It is important to have strong maths skills for progression to many degree courses at university A level Mathematics is also essential or desirable for a wide range of degree courses including economics, computing, social sciences and business.Any student applying to study a degree in a STEM subject should also consider taking Further Mathematics to at least AS level alongside A level Mathematics

University entry requirementsMathematics at Lancaster UniversityLancaster University has always encouraged those considering a degree in mathematics, computing, engineering or physics to study A Level Further Mathematics. The Department of Mathematics & Statistics at Lancaster now formally recognises the value of Further Mathematics when making degree course offers.For entry to degrees in: Mathematics; Mathematics with Statistics; Statistics; or Financial Mathematics; we normally ask applicants taking GCE A Levels to achieve:AAB at A Level, including Mathematics and Further Mathematics, for those taking A Level Further Mathematics; orAAA at A Level, including Mathematics, for those not taking A Level Further Mathematics.

University entry requirementsPhysics at University of LeicesterA-levels We ask for three A-levels, including Physics and Mathematics. MPhys (AAB), BSc (ABB) with an A in either Physics or Mathematics.

Further Maths and Extended Project Qualifications Further Maths and EPQs are not a formal requirement for entry onto our course. However, students with a Further Maths A-level or a relevant EPQ often find the transition to University study easier. If you have the opportunity we would certainly encourage you to take Further Maths or an EPQ.

University entry requirementsEconomics at Cardiff UniversityTypical offer = AAB One of the A-levels must be in Mathematics at grade B or above

Chemistry at Southampton UniversityA Levels: Our typical offers for students who are studying 3 A-levels are:ABB for students taking Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics AAB for students taking Chemistry with at least one other science subject or Mathematics AAA for students taking Chemistry with no other science subject or Mathematics

University entry requirementsLook at the entry requirements on the individual universitys website for the degree subjects that your son/daughter might be interested in.In some cases a qualification in Further Mathematics will reduce the grades required in another subject.Look at www.ucas.ac.uk for additional information.

My son/daughter loves mathematics how can they be stretched?

Take Further MathematicsParticipate in the Senior Maths Challenges in the Autumn termTackle problems on NRICH websiteStudy for additional qualifications in mathematics such as AEA, STEP or MAT , which are required for entrance to some leading universities to study mathematics.

The Further Mathematics Support ProgrammeThe FMSP aims is to increase the uptake of AS and A level Further Mathematics to ensure that more students reach their potential in mathematics.

To find out more visit www.furthermaths.org.ukThe FMSP website has further advice on studying A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, enrichment resources for students and information on applying to university.

Other sources of informationThe mathematics teachers at your schoolFMSP website www.furthermaths.org.ukMaths Careers website www.mathscareers.org.ukFuture Morph careers website www.futuremorph.orgBest course 4 me www.bestcourse4me.com Tomorrows Engineers www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk

If being used in a school/college, additional slides relating to the locality could be incorporated e.g. pass rates, entry criteria.Please note that the presentation content will be amended under the requirements of the new Mathematics / Further Mathematics AS and A level qualifications from September 2016.*These questions form a structure for the presentation.

*At this stage, depending on the audience it may be beneficial to explain what is meant by an AS qualification and how it relates to the A level qualification. The rules for the number of subjects taken in the particular school/college could be outlined here.Teachers might also amend the diagram on this slide to include the specific units taken in AS/A level at their school/college.

*Explain here what is meant by Further Mathematics and that it is designed to stretch and challenge able mathematicians and prepare them for university courses in Mathematics and related quantitative and scientific subjects.School/College specific guidance e.g. entry requirements, could be outlined here.Specific unit titles could also be entered to personalise the slides to the school/college.

*Stress the skill development that comes from studying A level Mathematics students would benefit from studying the course in conjunction with many other subjects for this reason.Mathematics can support Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Economics, Physics and Psychology in particular.*More and more students each year are studying AS and A level Maths. Since 2005 entries in A level Mathematics have increased by 68% and AS level by 237%.*The number of students taking AS and A level Further Maths has also increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Since 2005, there has been an increase of 236% in A level Further Mathematics entries and 485% in AS Further Mathematics entries.*In 2014 Mathematics was the most popular A level subject and Further Maths was the 17th most popular, with more entries than PE, Law, ICT, D&T or Languages.*Mathematics and Further Mathematics are versatile qualifications, well-respected by employers and are bothfacilitating subjects* for entry to higher education. Careers for men and women with good mathematics skills and qualifications are not only well paid, but they are also often interesting and rewarding. People who have studied mathematics are in the fortunate position of having an excellent choice of career. * Facilitating subjects are listed in the Informed Choices guide produced by the Russell group. *Stress that parents and carers can play a key role in positively influencing girls A level choices towards mathematics.Girls made up over half of the A level cohort in 2014; however, only 39% of the A level Mathematicians and around 29% of the A level Further Mathematicians were female. It is vital that girls are encouraged to study Mathematics and Further Mathematics to ensure they achieve their potential in these subjects and have the full range of career opportunities open to them post-16.

*Often it is the skills of problem solving and logical reasoning developed through studying A level Mathematics that are particularly valued by employers.*Take the opportunity here to stress that mathematics is a subject that is relevant to many careers and is not solely associated with physics/engineering type careers. Stress that parents and carers can play a key role in positively influencing girls A level choices towards mathematics.

*Also subjects such as History and maths could feed into Law or the Civil Service for example demographics.

Girls are often spoilt for choice with A levels those good at maths are often good all-rounders not always so with boys. So before deciding against maths, think of the way it is such a facilitating subject keeping options open, helping with other A levels and making you a stronger applicant for university courses.Why study Maths beyond GCSE?Jenny Davey, www.furthermaths.org.uk**STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics***In addition to the STEM careers mathematics is a versatile and well respected qualification for a range of careers. Further Mathematics introduces students to Complex numbers, Matrices, Hyperbolic functions and extends the range of techniques for solving problems.Students are able to study a much wider range of applications of mathematics too."Students who take both maths and further maths achieve substantially higher grades in their maths than comparable students who take maths alone" is the conclusion of ALIS, the Advanced Level Information System. http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/docs/Understanding%20F%20Maths%20Predictions%20ALIS.pdf *Degree Courses% Requiring/preferring A level MathematicsMathematics100%Physics100%Engineering100% Chemistry 41%Economics 34%Computer Science 20%

Even when mathematics is not a requirement, it can provide excellent skill development e.g. for entering computer science or economics degrees.

*The following slides are some examples of statements from universities indicating the requirement to study mathematics and/or further maths at A level. In a number of universities Further Mathematics is encouraged by adjusting the A level offer for students applying for Maths degrees*Mathematics is required.Further Mathematics is encouraged but not required. Recognised to help students make a good transition to degree study*In some cases A level Mathematics is a requirement and at others the university encourages students to take Mathematics by reducing the A level grades required.*AEA - Advanced Extension Award (AEA), STEP Sixth Term Examination Papers (required for entry to Cambridge and some Universities) or MAT Mathematics Admissions Test (required for entrance to Oxford University and Imperial).*The FMSP website contains a wide range of information including exemplar materials which illustrate how mathematics is used in a range of degrees, and a page specifically to encourage girls to continue to participate in mathematics post-16.*