Is it usual to just do AS Further maths?

[longingforsomesleep]

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?

Electronics is on the list of 'very useful' subjects which Imperial list on their computing section (maths is essential as is FM is the school does it).

Don't follow why Physics would be a problem if he starts it in year 12 and finishes it in year 13?

My DS has an offer to read Maths at Oxford. He did A2 Maths in Y12 and his offer still includes it so actually he only needs to pass 2 a levels this year. He met lots of others at oxford interviews who already had a level maths from y12 and there are 3 others holding Oxbridge offers in his further maths set so admittedly based on anecdotal evidence I don't think the sitting a levels early is a massive issue for maths related subjects.

My DS has taught himself some extra maths modules this year so will end up with AS additional further maths too apparently. This might be an option your son could consider. Also he should look at the MAT used by Oxford and Imperial as he may find it enjoyable and a good chance to prove himself.

AS Physics as half of A level physics won't exist as it'll be the new spec. If he started physics in year 12 he wouldn't be doing AS at the end of that year, but a two year course with A level exams at the end, like in the old days before AS existed.

titchy - yes I realise that. Just not being precise in my wording. It doesn't really matter does it whether it's AS & A2 or a 2 year course if he does it over year 12-13.

Galliano If your DS is doing the AQA FM course they won't have "cashed in" his A2 maths. My DS is doing the same, he already knows his A level maths grade (and has a Cambridge offer) but it won't be cashed in until he has completed the A2 FM this year.

From what I have seen, 3 A2's in year 12 would be acceptable for medicine and any highly competitive course-as long as 3 A's were achieved (or A*AA-depending on the course). You son would just receive an unconditional offer and not conditional-which is obviously a great position to be in. To take 3 is v unusual though. What you couldn't do is use an A from year 12 to add to 2 A's from year 13. We expected to get an offer of AA and not AAA from unis. My daughter wanted to take 2 A2's and an AS and use her previous A and none of her unis worked like that although some said that although they would need her to take 3 A2's, they would lower their offer to AAC. My nephew however is at Uni of Bath studying Biology (and had offers from UCL and similar) and spread his out over 3 years with no questions asked-so there is no saying. You can delay cashing in the A2's I think however, but my daughters' had already been done. In short, I think there are options but you need to be warned so that you can make sure you aren't caught out.

I've had loads of conversations with unis about it and all they care about is that your son receives 3 A's in one sitting so that he isn't advantaged by spreading them out-even though they can see from his past history that he is taking A2's early because he is bright and that he clearly would have achieved them anyway!

Agree with Tallulah although he won be able to delay cashing in AS till year 13 as he is in the first cohort to not have the AS as part of the A level if the A level is examined in his year 13.