7 minute read
Mathematics
Our Maths courses are fantastic, whether you wish to broaden your skills from GCSE or to deepen them, we have courses available to suit your needs. You will study in our specialist Maths classrooms on the main Hele Road Site with
a wealth of study areas and other resources, as well as in the Maths and Science Centre on Queen Street.
Advertisement
Look out for this icon in the course information
You can combine that course with other courses with this icon to create a full time programme of study
Maths can help you build your confidence to try more things, as it’s really rewarding when you get the right answers and figure things out by yourself.
Matthew, studying Maths, Biology and Geography A Levels. Previously studied at Teignmouth Community School.
AS/A Level | Duration: 2 years
Economics relates to every aspect of our lives, from the decisions individuals make to the policies of governments.
On this course you will:
Develop a deep knowledge of economic forces and an understanding of how they shape the world around us Gain an understanding of the economics that lie behind front page news stories, such as the cost of living crisis or the effects of international conflict Look at the UK economy - its performance and policies Consider subjects such as inflation, growth, unemployment and foreign trade Study business behaviour and the labour market Have the opportunity to take part in study trips, attend conferences and visit organisations Course assessment is through short tests, essays, and case studies. Final assessment is through external examinations.
Choose this course if… you enjoy debating economic issues, such as inequality, immigration and how we should pay for healthcare, using and interpreting data to analyse economic problems, discussing alternative courses of action and keeping up-to-date with national and international trends.
Future Steps: Economics is excellent preparation for an Economics degree or a degree in subjects such as business studies, social sciences, history or engineering. Possible career choices for A Level economics students include Apprenticeships in accountancy, stock broking, banking and finance. Note: to progress to a top university to study Economics, A Level Maths would be required. Entry requirements: You will need eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including English Language and Maths at grade 5 or above).
This course can be combined with others (see pages 13-14) and goes particularly well with Mathematics, Geography, Social Sciences and History.
MATHS (with Statistics)
Level 3 Certificate | Duration: 1 year
This course will develop your mathematical skills beyond GCSE. Maths is vital in the modern world and is increasingly important in a wide range of careers. It sits well alongside a wide range of almost any three A Levels that include any mathematical content. It is equivalent to an AS Level, but with a greater emphasis on applications rather than abstract mathematical techniques. It really makes you stand out from the crowd and gives you a sound understanding of how data and statistics is used to inform every area of our lives. Note: this is a one year course only and not available as a full A Level. Your programme would be equivalent to four subjects in year 1 and this would count as your Extend option.
On this course you will:
Learn to apply Maths to address problems and questions in the real world Develop the skills to represent or model situations mathematically Use Maths and statistics to make logical and reasoned arguments in a variety of contexts Assessment is by examination at the end of the year. Choose this course if… you enjoy using Maths where you can see how it is applied, rather than doing abstract algebra, and if you want to strengthen your Maths for your other subjects. Future Steps: You can go on to further study, training or employment with stronger Maths skills. The transferable skills of numeracy, mathematical modelling and problem solving skills are highly desirable. It is particularly valuable to prepare you for any degree course or career where data analysis, statistics (for example, in humanities and social science courses) or logical problem solving is required.
LEVEL 3
Entry requirements: You will need to have achieved eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above (including Maths and English Language).
This course can be combined with others (see pages 13-14) and goes well with any course with some mathematical content such as Environmental Science, Geology or other Sciences, Economics, Psychology, Geography, Business Studies or other Humanities or Social Science subjects. This course cannot be taken alongside A Level Maths. Note: to progress to a top university in courses such as Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or Economics, A Level Maths is required.
I really enjoy College life. Learning and being able to spend time with people your own age, who also love the subjects that you do, is great. I would like to go to university to study Architecture.
Sadaf, studying Mathematics, Business Studies and 3D Product Design A Levels. Previously studied at St Luke's Church of England School.
AS/A Level | Duration: 2 years
This course is ideal if you enjoy Maths and wish to develop your skills. It will take your mathematical knowledge to the next stage, with the study of Pure and Applied Mathematics.
On this course you will:
Focus on fundamental techniques, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus (differentiation and integration) Develop excellent analytical skills through your study of statistics, including use of large data sets Learn how to use mechanics, including Newton’s laws of motion, to solve physical problems involving motion and forces Access individual support at weekly drop in sessions Assessment is by examination Choose this course if… you enjoy Maths and want to develop the skills gained at GCSE, particularly the more abstract elements of algebra. Definitely choose it if you want to go to university to study a mathematical course. Future Steps: Mathematics is an essential qualification for most Economics, Maths, Computer Science, Physics and Engineering degrees and strongly supports many other courses including Biology and Chemistry as well as working alongside subjects such as Business Studies, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science and Psychology. Entry requirements: Eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, grade 6 in Maths and grade 6 in Physics or 66 in Double Science. If you have a grade 6 in GCSE Maths, a compulsory supplementary Maths course is provided which requires attendance at an extra Maths Support lesson each week.
This course can be combined with others (see pages 13-14) and goes well with mathematically based courses, such as Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Environmental Science It is very highly recommended for computer science, economics or physics, and is essential to progress with those subjects at university.
DOUBLE MATHEMATICS (Mathematics plus further Mathematics)
A Level | Duration: 2 years
LEVEL 3
If you really love exploring mathematical relationships and are very strong at Mathematics, you are encouraged to take Further Mathematics in addition to Mathematics A Level. This is taken as Double Mathematics, where you will study A Level Mathematics in your first year (and sit an AS Level in Maths) and A Level Further Mathematics in your second year. You will have twice the number of maths lessons per week and after 2 years gain A Levels in both Maths and Further Maths.
On this course you will:
Take units in pure and applied
Mathematics, including statistics Be able to attend drop in
Mathematics workshops with one to
one support to supplement lectures Have the opportunity to take part in a
Maths challenge Assessment is by examination. Choose this course if… you love Maths and want to do more of it! It is excellent preparation for a mathematically based degree at top universities and will help you stand out from the crowd. Future Steps: Mathematics is a valuable qualification for scientific and engineering degrees and has links with many other subjects including Business Studies, Computer Science, Geography, Economics, Biology, Environmental Science and Psychology. Entry requirements: Eight GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, grade 7 in Maths and grade 7 in Physics or 77 in Double Science.
This course can be combined with others (see pages 13-14) and goes well with Physics, Computer Science and other mathematically based courses. For students with an exceptional GCSE profile, Double Maths can potentially be taken as two A Levels as part of a four A Level programme.
