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Original poster

Further Maths A level

33 replies

Stowickthevast · 03/07/2025 08:25

Just looking for views. Dd1 is currently in y10 and thinking about A levels. She definitely wants to do Maths and is considering Further Maths. She's just done mocks and was on the boundary of 8/9 for Maths. At her current school, everyone starts off doing 4 A levels and then drops one or does an AS at the end of Y12 depending on the subject, apart from FM which they carry through to A level.

I don't think she will end up doing Maths at uni. She's currently thinking of architecture, but that may well change. The other subjects she's considering are German, art and English. Personally I think she'd be better off doing German, Art, English & Maths, and dropping either Art or German as those are subjects that you still gain some benefit from doing for a year. But I guess I wanted to ask if there's any advantage in doing further Maths instead of Art or English? She's pretty academic, should get 8/9s in most subjects.

OP posts:
rockstuckhardplace · 03/07/2025 12:29

If she doesn't want to study maths, physics, computer science, engineering or economics, I wouldn't bother with FM as an A-level. So your suggestion (Maths, English, German and Art) would be better in my opinion.

Original poster
Stowickthevast · 03/07/2025 12:18

She does like Maths but not sciences so think it is unlikely she'll want to pursue a career in Stem.

Good to know about Imperial @RatherBeOnVacation although we're in London so she'll probably want to leave.

OP posts:
rockstuckhardplace · 03/07/2025 11:18

Fully echo the advice to research uni courses and keep as many doors open as possible if unsure of career paths.

Some unis for some courses expect FM to be taken if offered.

My DD is Y12 and sounds like yours. Got virtually straight 9s at GCSE including 9 in Maths. She is doing A level maths and has also sat FM AS. She isn't continuing to A-level but that was never her plan. (School forced either EPQ or FM AS, and after the AS exams you basically continue in the FM class by default until you get agreementfrom the 6th form team to drop.). She's not a natural mathematician and was glad to see the back of it as she definitely doesn't need it for her future career plans. Lots of her classmates are also looking to drop the full FM A-level. Personally I think FM is for real maths lovers. Is that your DD? The step-up to A-level is enough for many.

RatherBeOnVacation · 03/07/2025 11:12

My DD was considering the Design Engineering degree at Imperial. That’s really quite arty / DT in nature. The only required subject is an A star in maths. Further maths is useful but not required. Ditto physics.

DD ruled it out at the open day as it was far too creative - she’s very STEM focussed.

RatherBeOnVacation · 03/07/2025 11:08

@Stowickthevast A lot of architecture is physics / engineering / maths though. This won’t be unique to Cambridge!

It’s so important to properly research all courses your daughter might be interested in taking at university, even if there’s no definite plans.

Original poster
Stowickthevast · 03/07/2025 09:26

Oh God, she hates physics, it's the one subject she's predicted a 6/7 in. Looks like she may not be aiming for Cambridge!

OP posts:
cantkeepawayforever · 03/07/2025 09:01

I was also going to suggest Physics, as an alternative to FM. Not only is it highly recommended for some architecture courses, it also keeps open a range of engineering / design type options for further study.

RatherBeOnVacation · 03/07/2025 08:48

Have a quick look at the entry requirements to study architecture at university. Cambridge says the best “strong” subjects are maths, art & design and physics.

She might not be set on architecture but make sure no doors are closed.