Further Maths or Physics?!

Hello, I'm sure you probably have seen many other threads just like this one, but I'm confused as to whether I should take Further Maths or Physics, and which would be more beneficial to a Medicine Degree?

I'm stronger at Maths than Physics, but my Physics teacher said that I am capable to do Physics A level, and i've heard that Further Maths overlaps with physics anyway?

My current A Level options at the moment are: Biology, Chemistry, Maths + Further Maths.

Thank you :smile:

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

Stillreading

Don't quote me on this, but I have heard that some medicine degrees don't count maths and further maths separately, and the preferred combination is 3 science and maths. The best thing to do is email your possible universities and ask them what they prefer. For instance, I emailed LSE and they told me F.Maths is beneficial to an economics degree (so I'm taking it hehe :P). Although, if you prefer maths to physics, there is of course nothing stopping you doing F.Maths.

Hope I helped! :smile:

Reply 2

frodothehobbit

Thanks a lot, once my exams are finished I'll be contacting universities :smile:

Reply 3

nexttime

Original post by frodothehobbit

Thanks a lot, once my exams are finished I'll be contacting universities :smile:

They will all say their policy on their website.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 4

zmai

I have offers for medicine with maths physics chemistry and I did further last year as an AS, med schools are fine with further as an AS but most don't want you to have it at A2. Physics gets tough but it's definitely more applicable to medicine!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 5

frodothehobbit

Original post by zmai

How did you find AS Further Maths and physics?

Reply 6

LiquidGold

Original post by zmai

Well that's not strictly true. It's not that that don't want it, it's just that they have other preferred subjects

Reply 7

Zaphod77

I took Further Maths and have an offer at Birmingham for Medicine. Most universities don't have a problem with it, but Edinburgh hate it and will not accept it. I chose it over Physics because I found it more interesting and I was better at it, but in the end it's down to you :smile:

Reply 8

zmai

Original post by frodothehobbit

How did you find AS Further Maths and physics?

I preferred further to physics but I'm enjoying physics A2 much more, I guess it just depends on which topics suit you? I didn't like D1 at all but FP1 was good and I like stats and mechanics. At the end of the day you are going to put more effort into something you enjoy, maybe have a look at the topics that come up in physics in your exam board?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 9

zmai

Original post by LiquidGold

Well that's not strictly true. It's not that that don't want it, it's just that they have other preferred subjects

Sorry you're right, I'll rephrase that...

Some unis don't consider maths and further maths as 2 different alevels although it won't be looked upon badly. They will often want you to have 3 subjects not including further!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 10

frodothehobbit

Original post by zmai

Thanks for the advice :smile:

I think my school does AQA for physics and Edexcel for maths, so i'll check the spec

Reply 11

pathosL

I'm going to give all 5 a go, but if I had to choose 4 then I'd go physics > further maths for medicine

Reply 12

frodothehobbit

Original post by pathosL

I'm going to give all 5 a go, but if I had to choose 4 then I'd go physics > further maths for medicine

Good luck! I'm not doing 5 because there aren't any January exams...

Reply 13

pathosL

Original post by frodothehobbit

Good luck! I'm not doing 5 because there aren't any January exams...

Yeah that's pretty stressful :/ hopefully they do come back

Reply 14

natninja

Original post by frodothehobbit

I dunno (as don't do medicine) but apparently doing Physics is useful for UKCAT/BMAT though even if you are stronger at maths than physics when you take the relative difficulties of further maths and physics into account then physics would probably be easier still

Reply 15

Velvet4

Original post by frodothehobbit

Physics is better. Lots of med schools don't like further maths, and many don't accept it, especially beyond AS. You'll be in a better position with physics!

Reply 16

Pastaferian

Original post by frodothehobbit

Hello, I'm sure you probably have seen many other threads just like this one, but I'm confused as to whether I should take Further Maths or Physics, and which would be more beneficial to a Medicine Degree?
I'm stronger at Maths than Physics, but my Physics teacher said that I am capable to do Physics A level, and i've heard that Further Maths overlaps with physics anyway?
My current A Level options at the moment are: Biology, Chemistry, Maths + Further Maths.
Thank you :smile:

See the wiki article on 'A level requirements' - med schools which don't accept FM as a separate subject are listed. Good luck!

Reply 17

frodothehobbit

Original post by Pastaferian

See the wiki article on 'A level requirements' - med schools which don't accept FM as a separate subject are listed. Good luck!

Thanks

Reply 18

ryanb97

they are both so common...so it doesnt matte lol

Reply 19

username937760

http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/files/medical_schools_entry_requirement_june_2011_1.1.pdf

All you need to know on whether Further Maths is acceptable or not for Medicine for different universities. Don't ask me because I'm not actually a medicine applicant, but I'd seen this website before and it was very useful for a couple of my friends.