MATHEMATICS

Mathematics is the abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics). A-Level Mathematics is thus a subject which deals with abstract structures. Some of these arise in scientific theories, while others are familiar from everyday life; a few are studied by mathematicians purely for their intrinsic beauty.

HOW IS IT STUDIED

Edexcel A-level Mathematics is taught within the two-year A-level programme.

Some of the abstract structures and techniques studied in the A-Level specification are calculus, vectors, quadratics, and logarithms.

HOW IS IT ASSESSED?

AS-Level Mathematics

Paper 1:

Pure Mathematics

62.5%, 2 hours, 100 marks

Paper 2:

Statistics and Mechanics

37.5%, 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks

A-Level Mathematics
Paper 1: Pure Mathematics 33%, 2 hours, 100 marks	Any pure content can be assessed on either paper
Paper 2: Pure Mathematics 33%, 2 hours, 100 marks
Paper 3: Statistics and Mechanics 33%, 2 hours, 100 marks	Section A: Statistics (50 marks) Section B: Mechanics (50 marks)

Exam Board: Edexcel

WHAT DO I NEED?

5 GCSEs grade 5 or above including Maths and English or equivalent international qualifications.

For international students who have taken IELTS, we require an overall score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the reading and writing components.

For international students who have taken IGCSE English (Second Language), we require grade 5 or above.

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WHAT CAN I DO WITH A-LEVEL MATHEMATICS?

Mathematics students learn to think logically and to apply the principles they have learnt to the solution of a variety of different problems. This training is of great value as preparation for a wide range of degree courses and careers. A-Level Mathematics is a requirement for most degrees in Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Engineering and Medicine. Mathematics is most helpful, and may be required, for Economics and Business courses. A knowledge of statistics at A-Level is applicable to almost any course in the social sciences.

WHAT SHOULD I STUDY WITH MATHEMATICS?

A-Level Mathematics complements every other A-Level subject but is most commonly studied alongside subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Economics and Business.

At Oxford Sixth Form College, many of our BTEC Level 3 Business Diploma (BTEC Plus) students choose to study a one year A-Level Mathematics course alongside their BTEC Business Diploma.

A-Level Mathematics is also studied by students wishing to progress to A-Level Further Mathematics. Such students sit A-Level Mathematics at the end of the first year of their A-Level programme and then sit A-Level Further Mathematics at the end of the second and final year of their A-Level programme. Such students are known as ‘double mathematicians’ and they can also choose two other A-Level subjects to study across their two-year programme. Most commonly, such students will study combinations such as Physics and Chemistry; Biology and Chemistry; Economics and Politics; Economics and Business.