Further Mathematics is the title given to a number of advanced secondary mathematics courses. The term "Higher and Further Mathematics", and the term "Advanced Level Mathematics", may also refer to any of several advanced mathematics courses at many institutions.
In the United Kingdom, Further Mathematics describes a course studied in addition to the standard mathematics AS-Level and A-Level courses.[1] In the state of Victoria in Australia, it describes a course delivered as part of the Victorian Certificate of Education (see § Australia (Victoria) for a more detailed explanation). Globally, it describes a course studied in addition to GCE AS-Level and A-Level Mathematics, or one which is delivered as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. In other words, more mathematics can also be referred to as part of advanced mathematics, or advanced level math.
A qualification in Further Mathematics involves studying both pure and applied modules. Whilst the pure modules (formerly known as Pure 4–6 or Core 4–6, now known as Further Pure 1–3, where 4 exists for the AQA board) build on knowledge from the core mathematics modules, the applied modules may start from first principles.
The structure of the qualification varies between exam boards.
With regard to Mathematics degrees, most universities do not require Further Mathematics, and may incorporate foundation math modules or offer "catch-up" classes covering any additional content. Exceptions are the University of Warwick,[2] the University of Cambridge which requires Further Mathematics to at least AS level; University College London requires or recommends an A2 in Further Maths for its maths courses; Imperial College requires an A in A level Further Maths, while other universities may recommend it or may promise lower offers in return. Some schools and colleges may not offer Further mathematics, but online resources are available.[3] Although the subject has about 60% of its cohort obtaining "A" grades,[4] students choosing the subject are assumed to be more proficient in mathematics, and there is much more overlap of topics compared to base mathematics courses at A level.
Some medicine courses do not count maths and further maths as separate subjects for the purposes of making offers.[5] This is due to the overlap in content, and the potentially narrow education a candidate with maths, further maths and just one other subject may have.
There are numerous sources of support for both teachers and students. The AMSP (formerly FMSP) is a government-funded organisation that offers professional development, enrichment activities and is a source of additional materials via its website. Registering with AMSP gives access to Integral, another source of both teaching and learning materials hosted by Mathematics Education Innovation (MEI). Underground Mathematics is another resource in active development which reflects the emphasis on problem solving and reasoning in the UK curriculum. A collection of tasks for post-16 mathematics can be also found on the NRICH site.
In contrast with other Further Mathematics courses, Further Maths as part of the VCE is the easiest level of mathematics. Any student wishing to undertake tertiary studies in areas such as Science, Engineering, Commerce, Economics and some Information Technology courses must undertake one or both of the other two VCE maths subjects— Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics. The Further Mathematics syllabus in VCE consists of three core modules, which all students undertake, plus two modules chosen by the student (or usually by the school or teacher) from a list of four. The core modules are Univariate Data, Bivariate Data, Time Series, Number Patterns and Business-Related Mathematics. The optional modules are Geometry and Trigonometry, Graphs and Relations, Networks and Decision Mathematics, or Matrices.[6]
Further Mathematics is available as a second and higher mathematics course at A Level (now H2), in addition to the Mathematics course at A Level. Students can pursue this subject if they have A2 and better in 'O' Level Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, depending on the school.[7] Some topics covered in this course include mathematical induction, complex number, polar curve and conic sections, differential equations, recurrence relations, matrices and linear spaces, numerical methods, random variables and hypothesis testing and confidence intervals.[8]
Further Mathematics, as studied within the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, was a Higher Level (HL) course that could be taken in conjunction with Mathematics HL or on its own. It consisted of studying all four of the options in Mathematics HL, plus two additional topics.
Topics studied in Further Mathematics included:[9]
From 2019, the course has been discontinued and transited into the followings modules:[10]
