Core maths with only grade 6

makemineadecaf · 2026-08-22T08:48:52+00:00

I’m hoping {mention:noblegiraffe}or anyone else in the know can help here. Dd is doing all essay based alevels (gcse 8s/9s) but at her school sixth form they also do epq or core maths. Essays are her strength so epq seems obvious but I’m worried about burn out. The work load and content of core maths seems less intense but with only a 6 I’m worried she’ll be on the back foot. Edited to add that I think core maths is worth less ucas points than epq?

rhubarbqueen · 22/08/2026 09:58

Is it a one year AS level for core maths?
If so, she’ll be fine with a 6. It’s great if you’re doing subjects which have some statistics in them but not taking maths A-level.

DandelionClockSeeds · 22/08/2026 10:03

She sounds a perfect candidate for core maths.

Yes, the EPQ gets a few more points - I think an A in core maths is the sane as a B in EPQ.

But it shows diversity.

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 11:23

rhubarbqueen · 22/08/2026 09:58

Is it a one year AS level for core maths?
If so, she’ll be fine with a 6. It’s great if you’re doing subjects which have some statistics in them but not taking maths A-level.

Yes she’s doing psychology and sociology which makes me think it’s be useful

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noblegiraffe · 22/08/2026 11:55

If she is doing psychology and sociology she should have been advised to take core maths anyway, those are the courses that core maths has been designed to support!

It may also help with uni, social sciences were complaining that students couldn’t cope with the maths content of their degrees because they hadn’t done any maths since GCSE.

It’s for pupils who got a 4+ at GCSE so she’ll probably find it quite easy with a 6.

mummyinbeds · 22/08/2026 14:38

DD got a 6 in maths and an A in Core Maths. She really enjoyed the real maths involved - helped with Geography and Environmental Science A levels. She also got a one grade lower offer at two RG unis as long as she got an A/B.

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:06

Thank you. I think Dd will take a lot of convincing because she feels elated to not do stem again but I do think this would be good for her.

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ConBatulations · 22/08/2026 15:12

EPQ is half A level points so max 28 for A⭐. Core maths is AS scale so max 20 for A.

Points are meaningless for most higher tariff universities. They want grades in specified subjects.

Both EPQ and Core maths can give reduced offers at some universities.

Core maths is aimed at GCSE grade 4-6 students who need maths to support their A level or degree subjects but may struggle with A or AS level maths where grade 7+ is recommended. @noblegiraffe has done her annual warning about studying A level maths without a grade 7+. I don't know if there is a similar chart showing grade progression for Core maths?

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:25

ConBatulations · 22/08/2026 15:12

EPQ is half A level points so max 28 for A⭐. Core maths is AS scale so max 20 for A.

Points are meaningless for most higher tariff universities. They want grades in specified subjects.

Both EPQ and Core maths can give reduced offers at some universities.

Core maths is aimed at GCSE grade 4-6 students who need maths to support their A level or degree subjects but may struggle with A or AS level maths where grade 7+ is recommended. @noblegiraffe has done her annual warning about studying A level maths without a grade 7+. I don't know if there is a similar chart showing grade progression for Core maths?

This would be really interesting. I’ve asked ChatGPT but she wasn’t too helpful this time!

Is it “better” than a gcse to have core maths?

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titchy · 22/08/2026 15:31

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:06

Thank you. I think Dd will take a lot of convincing because she feels elated to not do stem again but I do think this would be good for her.

Lol. Has she not realised Psychology is a science then?

titchy · 22/08/2026 15:32

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:25

This would be really interesting. I’ve asked ChatGPT but she wasn’t too helpful this time!

Is it “better” than a gcse to have core maths?

Edited

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Well yes - it’s a level 3 qualification, GCSE is only level 2

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 15:36

titchy · 22/08/2026 15:31

Lol. Has she not realised Psychology is a science then?

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Well yes but not explicitly like the others. She’s starting with four but not sure which she’ll drop yet but either that or sociology will stay in.

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UnsureOfOutcome · 22/08/2026 15:45

DS got a 5 in maths gcse, and ended up with an A in core maths. He loved it - and it snagged him a place at Leeds to do economics and geography (which generally requires a 7 in gcse maths). Def worth doing, would be his view.

ConBatulations · 22/08/2026 15:48

This is for BSc Psychology at Sheffield.
"The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
including a science subject

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification ABB, including a science subject + B in a Psychology or Biology based EPQ; ABB, including a science subject + A in Core Maths"

Psychology and Geography are counted as science subjects for this and at lots of Universities for some courses.

Bath is another University that uses alternative offers for extras like core maths or EPQ. Neither will be a requirement as not all sixth forms offer them. There will be others as well.

This thread may be of interest.https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5569316-epq-vs-core-maths

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 16:18

ConBatulations · 22/08/2026 15:48

This is for BSc Psychology at Sheffield.
"The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
including a science subject

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification ABB, including a science subject + B in a Psychology or Biology based EPQ; ABB, including a science subject + A in Core Maths"

Psychology and Geography are counted as science subjects for this and at lots of Universities for some courses.

Bath is another University that uses alternative offers for extras like core maths or EPQ. Neither will be a requirement as not all sixth forms offer them. There will be others as well.

This thread may be of interest.https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/5569316-epq-vs-core-maths

Thank you yes the only difference I can see is that EPQ goes to Astar and therefore potential for more ucas points

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ConBatulations · 22/08/2026 16:52

UCAS points don't generally apply to higher tariff universities anyway.

NotDonna · 23/08/2026 09:00

makemineadecaf · 22/08/2026 16:18

Thank you yes the only difference I can see is that EPQ goes to Astar and therefore potential for more ucas points

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Do not get hung up on UCAS points unless the universities she’s likely applying to use the points system. A lot of universities disregard ucas points and focus on grades only. My DD2 did core maths (history, economics & psychology were her A levels). She found it very straightforward. Both Bath uni and York dropped a grade for a B or above in core maths. They sadly don’t offer it at DD3’s school as it’d be very useful.

NotDonna · 23/08/2026 09:05

@makemineadecaf so a uni may say they want AAA but with EPQ / core maths grade A or above will drop to AAB - so the ucas points are irrelevant. As far as I’m aware they don’t drop more grade requirements if the EPQ is Astar. Also some universities (Bath & York and maybe more) drop a grade for B or above in core maths. Have a look at potential universities too.

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 09:12

That’s interesting thanks. She’s a hard no but maybe her teachers will swing her.

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postitnot · 23/08/2026 10:08

My daughter is doing sociology and geography A levels and I would love her to be able to do core maths (she also got a hard won 6 in gcse). Her otherwise excellent 6th form don't offer it.

There would be a LOT of resistance on her part though!!

Toomanyminifigs · 23/08/2026 11:46

My DS is about to start Core Maths. He got a 5 in his maths GCSE (he sat Foundation). At his 6th Form, the entry requirement for Core Maths is a 4+ so your DD should be fine.
His 6th Form insists students doing certain A levels take it if they're not doing Maths A level.
I also have some concerns about workload but I guess as it's a year course, it's out of the way before Yr13.
I also believe it's different to maths GCSE in that it's designed specifically to support A level elements like statistics which I imagine will be of help to your DD in her choices.

noblegiraffe · 23/08/2026 12:13

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 09:12

That’s interesting thanks. She’s a hard no but maybe her teachers will swing her.

Hard no for Core Maths?

Tell her to go to a few lessons first, it probably won’t be what she is expecting. There’s basically no algebra in it for a start, it’s very much focused on stuff she will find useful in real life (personal finances) or her studies (statistical analysis).

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 16:04

noblegiraffe · 23/08/2026 12:13

Hard no for Core Maths?

Tell her to go to a few lessons first, it probably won’t be what she is expecting. There’s basically no algebra in it for a start, it’s very much focused on stuff she will find useful in real life (personal finances) or her studies (statistical analysis).

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Yes hard no for anymore maths. It’s not going to be an easy job to convince her. How many lessons a week is it? Actual alevels are 7 x 45mins.

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noblegiraffe · 23/08/2026 16:59

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 16:04

Yes hard no for anymore maths. It’s not going to be an easy job to convince her. How many lessons a week is it? Actual alevels are 7 x 45mins.

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At my school it’s 2 hours a week over y12 and 13, no homework, we get really good results.

Original poster

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 17:53

noblegiraffe · 23/08/2026 16:59

At my school it’s 2 hours a week over y12 and 13, no homework, we get really good results.

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Ah I thought it was just a one year course. Great it’s positive at your school.

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NotDonna · 23/08/2026 18:54

makemineadecaf · 23/08/2026 17:53

Ah I thought it was just a one year course. Great it’s positive at your school.

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It was a one year course at DD2’s school so maybe it varies.