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Original poster

Is it usual to just do AS Further maths?

33 replies

longingforsomesleep · 24/03/2014 12:38

DS is in year 10 and is very clear that he wants to do Computing at University. In addition to his GCSEs he's currently doing AS maths and AS Computing, both of which he should finish at the end of year 11 and, fingers crossed, finish the A2s in year 12.

At a recent parents' evening his computing teacher told him that the best universities for computing will ask for Further Maths at A level. DS's maths teacher then said that the school only offers AS FM and, if he stays on track, he will do this in year 13 when he's finished A2 maths. I need to clarify this as the sixth form prospectus is a bit confusing and seems to suggest A2 FM might be available.

But, I wondered if anyone knew if AS FM is the norm or whether we should be pushing for him to do A2? I've never really understood what FM is about but had thought that it could be studied alongside A level maths rather than after it and that people generally took it as a full A level?

OP posts:
Takver · 24/03/2014 18:39

Maybe worth investigating the Further Maths Support Programme?

DD is only in yr 7 I'll admit shamefacedly to having asked about FM when visiting secondaries as she's very quick at maths so far, and also I found lack of FM (it wasn't offered at my school) a definite handicap at university - studying economics so not even a really 'maths-y' degree.

Original poster
longingforsomesleep · 24/03/2014 17:35

EBee - Imperial was the place his computing teacher recommended. They seem to ask for A2 Further Maths in the table in the link you gave but then go on to say AS or A2. His teacher said that, if he doesn't have FM he will have to do a separate maths test for Imperial which its harder to do well in than it is to get a good grade in FM.

I know many universities expect A levels to be done in one sitting and I have resisted early exams with my other kids. However, I'm more interested in DS learning at an appropriate level for his ability rather than his age. He did GCSE maths at the start of year 10 and got an A* (only dropping a couple of marks) and is finding AS maths a doddle. His computing class is small (10), he thinks his computing teacher is fantastic and loves the course. He's far more engaged and stimulated by his two AS courses than he is with any of his GCSE subjects so, in the interest of keeping him interested in learning, I think for him, personally it is a good thing he is doing 2 early AS subjects. I know what it is to have a child disengage from school so my prime concern is to keep him interested.

OP posts:
Takver · 24/03/2014 16:56

The two local secondaries to here only offer FM to AS level - though I know some students study it to A2 through the welsh govt FM support prog which I think is an online prog with support.

titchy · 24/03/2014 16:27

Blimey 2 x AS in year 11 - presumably to be followed by 2 full A level in year 12 an what, two more in year 13? Bad idea from a university point of view....

EBee57 · 24/03/2014 14:06

Both my DDs senior schools offer Further Maths to full A2, one school does AS & A2 Maths in Lower 6th & AS & A2 Further Maths in Upper 6th, the other runs them as Maths and Further Maths AS in Lower 6th and then Maths and (for those who continue - not everyone does) Further Maths A2 in Upper 6th.

Many schools & colleges - both state & independent - in this area, SWSurrey, seem to offer the full A2 option for those who are interested and able.

Have you looked at the requirements of any universities where he might be interested in studying? Their websites will have the A level subjects and grades required. I have seen some that say they expect you to take Further Maths if it is offered at your school (though that was for a Maths degree) but they realised that not every school taught it and that the prospective student would not be penalised if that was the case - this link to Imperial is more informative
www3.imperial.ac.uk/ugprospectus/facultiesanddepartments/computing/entryrequirements

Hope that helps

noblegiraffe · 24/03/2014 13:59

No, it's not usual. At my school students do AS in both in Y12 and A-level in both in Y13. Other schools do maths in Y12 then further maths in Y13.

If he thinks he needs the full A-level then he should consider looking elsewhere. He has been poorly served by his school in doing AS in Y11 as this will make switching schools more complicated.

yourlittlesecret · 24/03/2014 13:49

I'd be more worried about doing A levels in year 12. Top universities seem to prefer A levels to be done in one sitting.

FantaSea · 24/03/2014 13:17

My DD is in year 13 and a friend of hers has had to take AS Further Maths this year (alongside his A2 normal maths) in order to satisfy an offer at Cambridge. Before he applied he was worried that applicants who are doing the A2 FM would be prioritised as they already have their A2 in normal maths in year 12. He will end up with an A2 grade in normal maths and an AS grade in FM.

Hope that helps.

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