The different courses
The eight Mathematics course options available are outlined below. For all of these courses, examinations are at the end of the two-year period. The courses are broadly organised in decreasing order of level, although a course requiring less time investment may also better suit a student’s interests: for instance, ‘Applications and Interpretations’ deals with useful statistical tools for students looking ahead to medicine or geography.
The eight Mathematics course options available are outlined below. For all of these courses, examinations are at the end of the two-year period. The courses are broadly organised in decreasing order of level, although a course requiring less time investment may also better suit a student’s interests: for instance, ‘Applications and Interpretations’ deals with useful statistical tools for students looking ahead to medicine or geography.
*Please note that the two IB Standard Level courses will be taught concurrently until the February half-term of Year 12. At this stage, the Maths Department will consult with students and their tutors to help establish which course they should ideally follow.
All IB courses also contain a coursework component which comprises 20% of the overall mark.
All IB courses also contain a coursework component which comprises 20% of the overall mark.
Suitability
Some thoughts on which courses students should select are outlined below. Importantly, as each student has a unique set of skills, interests and aspirations, the best way of finding the right course is through a conversation with a member of the Mathematics Department: please do not hesitate to approach any of us.
Some thoughts on which courses students should select are outlined below. Importantly, as each student has a unique set of skills, interests and aspirations, the best way of finding the right course is through a conversation with a member of the Mathematics Department: please do not hesitate to approach any of us.
International Baccalaureate Courses
The IB is perfect preparation for engineers - click here for more information.
A Level Courses
Frequently asked questions
How do Further Maths and Higher Level ‘Analysis’ compare?
Further Maths students study some modules in Applied Mathematics (namely Statistics and Mechanics). In the IB, there is the option of doing more advanced Statistics. Students wishing to pursue further Applied Mathematics can opt to do so through their Coursework project.
There is slightly less material in the Higher Level course. However, both courses deal with mathematics to the same depth and complexity, and the Analysis course will require students to solve conceptually challenging problems. The consequence of this is that both courses form excellent preparation for future study of Mathematics within the most ambitious University degrees.
I want to study Economics. What level of Maths should I do?
There are many flavours of Economics depending on what your interests and skills turn out to be in the Sixth Form: from “Development economics” or “Economics and management” at one end, to “Econometrics” at the other. All of these require a different level of Maths. Further Maths is therefore only useful if you and your teacher are confident that it will suit you. It is not a requirement for many Economics-based courses: in some cases, students have even gone on to read Economics and Management or PPE at Oxford with a Single A Level in Mathematics. Therefore, you are best placed doing a level of Maths which you are comfortable with and selecting a university Economics course which corresponds to this. It is a common misconception that more mathematics is always better.
On the IB programme, many ‘mathematical’ economics courses will require a Higher Level course: the Analysis course will suit you if you have enjoyed the more advanced aspects of Ad Maths in Year 11 (in particular the calculus), and if you have very confident skills with topics such as algebraic fractions. However, you may find that the Applications course is more relevant to Economics.
If you feel less confident about your mathematics, you are better off with a SL course, and finding a flavour of economics which suits you later on. This is because you will simply not enjoy the highly mathematical components of university economics courses. Mrs Hedges, Mrs Dean and Ms Copin can advise further.
I want to study Medicine. What level of Maths should I do?
On the A Level pathway, A Level is usually recommended (although not necessarily required by medical schools). However, many students who really enjoy Mathematics and are confident in it find that they thrive on a Further Mathematics course. Some medical schools will advise that Further Mathematics ‘does not count’: however, as long as you are pursuing it as one of four A Levels (which include Biology and Chemistry), this is not a problem, particularly if you look forward to the interest and challenge of Mathematics in the Sixth Form.
On the IB pathway, the majority of medical schools (including Oxford) will accept Mathematics at Standard Level. This can be a significant advantage for students who are less enthusiastic about Sixth Form Mathematics. Either Higher Level course will be fine: students who enjoy a higher level of challenge will enjoy the Analysis course; students who are interested in applying their Mathematics will thrive on the Applications course. Mrs Hedges, Dr Potter and Ms Copin can advise further.
How do Further Maths and Higher Level ‘Analysis’ compare?
Further Maths students study some modules in Applied Mathematics (namely Statistics and Mechanics). In the IB, there is the option of doing more advanced Statistics. Students wishing to pursue further Applied Mathematics can opt to do so through their Coursework project.
There is slightly less material in the Higher Level course. However, both courses deal with mathematics to the same depth and complexity, and the Analysis course will require students to solve conceptually challenging problems. The consequence of this is that both courses form excellent preparation for future study of Mathematics within the most ambitious University degrees.
I want to study Economics. What level of Maths should I do?
There are many flavours of Economics depending on what your interests and skills turn out to be in the Sixth Form: from “Development economics” or “Economics and management” at one end, to “Econometrics” at the other. All of these require a different level of Maths. Further Maths is therefore only useful if you and your teacher are confident that it will suit you. It is not a requirement for many Economics-based courses: in some cases, students have even gone on to read Economics and Management or PPE at Oxford with a Single A Level in Mathematics. Therefore, you are best placed doing a level of Maths which you are comfortable with and selecting a university Economics course which corresponds to this. It is a common misconception that more mathematics is always better.
On the IB programme, many ‘mathematical’ economics courses will require a Higher Level course: the Analysis course will suit you if you have enjoyed the more advanced aspects of Ad Maths in Year 11 (in particular the calculus), and if you have very confident skills with topics such as algebraic fractions. However, you may find that the Applications course is more relevant to Economics.
If you feel less confident about your mathematics, you are better off with a SL course, and finding a flavour of economics which suits you later on. This is because you will simply not enjoy the highly mathematical components of university economics courses. Mrs Hedges, Mrs Dean and Ms Copin can advise further.
I want to study Medicine. What level of Maths should I do?
On the A Level pathway, A Level is usually recommended (although not necessarily required by medical schools). However, many students who really enjoy Mathematics and are confident in it find that they thrive on a Further Mathematics course. Some medical schools will advise that Further Mathematics ‘does not count’: however, as long as you are pursuing it as one of four A Levels (which include Biology and Chemistry), this is not a problem, particularly if you look forward to the interest and challenge of Mathematics in the Sixth Form.
On the IB pathway, the majority of medical schools (including Oxford) will accept Mathematics at Standard Level. This can be a significant advantage for students who are less enthusiastic about Sixth Form Mathematics. Either Higher Level course will be fine: students who enjoy a higher level of challenge will enjoy the Analysis course; students who are interested in applying their Mathematics will thrive on the Applications course. Mrs Hedges, Dr Potter and Ms Copin can advise further.