Our sixth form centre is brand-new for the city of Birmingham and the surrounding areas
Experience maths in action with our School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction
Enjoy cracking difficult puzzles? Maths makes you better at solving problems and is intensely satisfying for those who study it, enabling you to develop further skills in algebra and numbers, then calculus, following your GCSEs.
Much of the material introduced in statistics and mechanics support understanding of the sciences. However, A-level Maths is much more than learning more techniques. It develops your decision making, critical thinking and analytical work, and requires you to make connections and adapt your thinking to a wide range of problems.
With departments that include engineering, digital and construction, maths is at the very heart of University College Birmingham. You will experience first-hand many of the practical applications of maths and benefit from specialist lectures, for example, focusing on the maths that underpins engineering or sports technology.
To help you fully appreciate the many career routes that can lead on from A-level maths, we have dedicated careers and apprenticeship departments. With their first-hand experience, our university lecturers will also provide guidance to support your applications to degrees, apprenticeships, and employment.
Why choose A-levels at our sixth form centre?
- PREPARE FOR UNIVERSITY AT A UNIVERSITY – We can provide you with relevant work placements, masterclasses, guest speakers, trips and more
- AWARD-WINNING SUPPORT – We have won national awards for our student support, which our sixth form students can tap into, from tailored academic support to financial assistance and health and wellbeing services
- OUTSTANDING LEARNING FACILITIES - We have invested £5.5 million into our brand-new sixth form centre, which includes lecture theatres, classrooms, science and computer labs, practical training facilities and open study spaces
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to keep studying at a higher level? This A-level will support your progression to degree level
Course breakdown
To achieve your Maths A-level, you must study the following topics:
Pure maths
- Proof
- Complex numbers
- Matrices
- Further algebra and functions
- Further calculus
- Further vectors
- Polar coordinates
- Hyperbolic functions
- Differential equations
- Trigonometry
- Numerical methods
Mechanics and/or statistics
- Statistical sampling
- Probability
- Statistical distributions\hypothesis testing
- Quantities and units in mechanics
- Kinematics
- Forces
- Moments
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- We ask for a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 5 or higher, including GCSE English Literature or Language and a grade 7 in GCSE Maths.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed through written exams at the end of two years.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Centre of opportunities
Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.
We are creating something unique and special for Birmingham and I am delighted you are considering us for your next steps. Studying A-levels requires discipline and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding, offering you a deep insight into the subjects you choose to study. Sixth form is also an opportunity for you to discover what’s important to you and how you want to make your mark on the world. Our aim is to support and challenge you through this, while developing your character and widening your horizons so you flourish, professionally and personally.
What will this course prepare you for?
Maths is a corner stone to most engineering, economic, scientific and numerate degrees, as well as being complementing many other subjects such as social sciences, literature and philosophy. Mathematicians pursue careers in fields as varied as accountancy, research, medicine, engineering, finance, pathology and construction.
For those who appreciate the richness and depth of this subject, also studying A-level Further Maths is a strong combination, especially if you intend to study maths or the sciences at competitive universities.
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Accountant
Average Salary: £40,000
Pathologist
Average Salary: £72,000
Researcher
Average Salary: £39,000
Data analyser
Average Salary: £41,000
Engineer
Average Salary: £42,000
Philosopher
Average Salary: £35,000
Our new sixth form centre
University College Birmingham is to begin offering a range of A-level courses as part of a major multi-million-pound investment in a brand-new sixth form centre.
