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Further Mathematics
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About the course
The Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Further Mathematics broadens and deepens the Mathematics covered in Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Mathematics. The syllabus is intended for high ability learners who have achieved, or are likely to achieve, a high grade in the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Mathematics examination. Learners will find that the additional time spent studying Further Mathematics will support their understanding of A Level Mathematics. Learners will develop a range of transferable skills to enable them to respond with confidence to the demands of undergraduate study and the world of work. Learners can apply these skills across a wide range of subjects and these skills equip them well for progression to higher education or directly into employment. Some universities prefer applicants for degrees in mathematics and mathematical/scientific subjects to have an IAS or IAL Further Mathematics or equivalent qualification. Just like Mathematics, learners will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and mathematical development. They will use their knowledge and skills to apply mathematics to real-life situations, solve unstructured problems and use mathematics as an effective means of communication.
Characteristics of successful students
Students who attempt this subject must have an excellent aptitude for Mathematics. A background in Additional Mathematics is a must.
Minimum entry requirements/prior learning
August intake: grade B at IGCSE or SPM Additional Mathematics or an equivalent qualification. January intake: grade A at IGCSE or SPM Additional Mathematics or an equivalent qualification. Prospective students who have neither of the above qualifications will need to provide evidence of their ability to follow the course.
Further studies and careers
Beneficial to any students wishing to study STEM related courses and Economics at university.
Reading list
For a list of texts that relate to the course and its material you can select any of the books listed on the Pearson website here. Students will be loaned a course text as part of the fee structure of the school but further resources can be located here
Cambridge University provides a fantastic reading list that supports all study from A levels to undergraduate (this can be accessed here). A few we would recommend are given below:
- How to study for a maths degree Lara Alcock (OUP, 2013)
History of Mathematics
- Makers of Mathematics S. Hollingdale (Penguin, 1989)
- A Russian Childhood S. Kovalevskaya (trans. B. Stillman) (Springer, 1978, now out of print)
- Alan Turing, the Enigma A. Hodges (Vintage, 1992)
- The Man Who Knew Infinity R. Kanigel (Abacus, 1992)
- Surely You’re Joking, Mr Feynman R.P. Feynman (Arrow Books, 1992) (Also very good for Physics)
- Simon Singh Fermat’s Last Theorem (Fourth Estate)
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Recreational reading
- The Colossal Book of Mathematics M. Gardner (Norton 2004)
- How to Think like a Mathematician Kevin Houston (CUP, 2009)
- Solving Mathematical Problems Terence Tao (OUP, 2006)
Develop knowledge of Mathematical theory
- Choas, Making a New Science - James Gleick
- Alex’s Adventures in Numberland: Dispatches from the Wonderful World of Numbers - Alex Belllos
- It Must be Beautiful: Great Equations of Modern Science – edited by Graham Farmelo
- The Problems of Mathematics, Nature’s Numbers, From Here to Infinity,
- Game, Set and Math and The Magical Maze – Ian Stewart
- What is Mathematics? – Courant and Robbins
- Mathematics: The Golden Age – Devlin
- A Mathematician’s Apology – Hardy
Journals
- What is Mathematics by Carmen M Latterell
- An Exploration of the Mathematics Self-Efficacy/Mathematics
Performance Correspondence by Gail Hackett, Nancy E. Betz
- Exploring Differential Effects of Mathematics Courses on Mathematics
Achievement by Xin Ma, Laureen J. McIntyre
- Mathematics Coursework Regulates Growth in Mathematics
Achievement by Xin Ma, Jesse L. M. Wilkins
Geography
About the course
The Geography syllabus builds upon skills gained at Cambridge IGCSE. Learners widen their knowledge and understanding of the subject, while developing their investigative abilities and their evaluation and decision-making skills.
The syllabus is wide-ranging and comprises a variety of options. For example, learners can study topics such as hydrology and fluvial geomorphology, atmosphere and weather, rocks and weathering, population change and settlement dynamics. The syllabus considers a range of environments, from tropical to arid, and learners can also study subjects such as environmental management, global interdependence and economic transition.
9696/13
Paper 1 - Core Physical Geography Section A: Three data response questions
Section B: One structured question from a choice of three
9696/23
Paper 2 - Core Human Geography Section A: Three data response questions
Section B: One structured question from a choice of three
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Paper 3 - Advanced Physical Geography Options. Students answer questions on two of the optional topics. Each topic consists of one structured question (10 marks) and a choice of essay questions (20 marks)
9696/43
Paper 4 - Advanced Human Geography Options. Students answer questions on two of the optional topics. Each topic consists of one structured question (10 marks) and a choice of essay questions (20 marks)
Characteristics of successful students
Successful students are those who are curious about the world in which we live and have an enquiring mind. The best Geographers understand the interdependence between the various branches of the subject and think and respond with synopticity. Vital to success is being well read, having a strong work ethic and having the desire to keep up to date with a range of current affairs.
Minimum entry requirements/prior learning
It is strongly recommended that students have gained IGCSE Geography at a minimum of B grade or SPM equivalent to successfully undertake the course. Students must have fluency in written English in order to both access and respond to essay questions, physical Geography is technical and those students with a strong scientific disposition are at an advantage.
Further studies and careers
According to the Russell Group, A Level Geography is highly desirable for degrees in Archaeology, Civil Engineering, Geology and Sociology. As a facilitating subject, Geography is considered a good subject for a wide range of university courses, and so it will help to keep your options open. Geography will support the study of sciences and social sciences. According to the Royal Geographical Society, Geography graduates have some of the highest rates of graduate employment. Geography is great for any kind of career that involves the environment, planning, or collecting and interpreting data. Popular careers for people with geography qualifications include: town or transport planning, surveying, conservation, sustainability, waste and water management, environmental planning, tourism, and weather forecasting. The army, police, government, research organisations, law and business also love the practical research skills that geographers develop. Because geographers learn about human and population development, geography can be useful for jobs in charity and international relations too.
Reading list
The Geography department has a wide range of reading material available for students, including an array of titles from the Very Short Introductions series, seminal books such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and James Lovelock’s Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth. We also have more contemporary titles such as Bill Maguire’s Waking the Giant (in this book the UCL Professor examines the evidence for a link between climate change and tectonic hazards) and Tim Marshall’s Prisoners of Geography. Students should also be aware of current affairs by reading news articles from reliable online sources such as NPR, BBC News and the Associated Press. Similarly we encourage students to access other sources of information such as selected episodes from Podcasts like the TED Radio Hour (by NPR), Conversations from ABC Australia and 99% Invisible.
History
About the course
Cambridge International AS and A Level History is a flexible and wide-ranging syllabus covering modern history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The syllabus builds upon skills gained at Cambridge IGCSE or Cambridge O Level and develops lifelong skills including understanding issues and themes within a historical period. The emphasis is again on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. Learners develop an understanding of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and use historical evidence as part of their studies. Both at AS and A Level learners can select from topics on European, American or International history.
Teachers choose which periods to focus on, allowing them to build a course that reflects their learners' interests and staff specialisms, or which is relevant to the local or regional context.
Assessment
Document question (source-based). Questions centre around the student’s ability to analyse and evaluate historical sources.
Outline study. Students answer questions which focus on their ability to identify and explain causal factors as well as questions which centre on their ability to present balanced arguments.
Interpretations question (source-based). Students must use their understanding of historiography to analyse and explain a historical extract.
Depth study. Students will answer two essay questions focused on their ability to present and explain a balanced argument.
Characteristics of successful students
Students wishing to take this subject should be proficient in English, have a sound knowledge of what the topic entails, and be familiar with the kind of sources available and their different uses. They should also have a keen interest in reading to help develop and widen their scope of knowledge in order to understand the complexity of issues and themes within a historical period
Minimum entry requirements/prior learning
A B grade History for the IGCSE examination or the SPM examination would be an advantage. Prospective students who have neither of the above qualifications will need to provide evidence of their ability to follow the course.
Further studies and careers
History provides the skills needed at university and in any professional or leadership role, such as research, analysis , critical thinking and the construction and presentation of persuasive arguments. It is an excellent subject for any degree and future career path. It is a particularly good subject for Law, Economics, Politics or other Humanities subjects.
Reading list
- E J Hobsbawm: The Age of Empire 1875-1914
- Zara Steiner : The Lights that Failed: Europe 1919-1939
- P.J. Cain and A. G. Hopkins: British Imperialism 1688-2000
- J.L Gaddis, The Cold War
- W H Walsh: In Introduction to the Philosophy of History
- Barrington Moore: Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy
