Self Studying Further Maths?

I'm going into year 12 now to study maths, chemistry, physics and DT at A level. I'd like to study further maths (FM) too but due to timetable restrictions I would have to drop DT for that.
I'd like to keep DT but fear that a lack of FM will harm my applications to universities which could be for aerospace, mechanical, biochem, maths, etc. Some sort of engineering.
Not doing FM probably cuts me off from places like Oxford, Cambridge and other highly ranked unis.

TL;DR
Can I self study A/As level Further Maths on top of 4 other A levels or is it too much?
Thanks

Reply 1

Sam1341

I mean its possible, but why keep doing DT and just take FM? At the end of the day, your A-Level subjects determine the courses open to you at university and im not sure what DT will get you. And if your set on engineering, for sure go with the FM. I wouldn't recommend doing 5 a-levels for the full 2 years, literally no point, u only need 3.

Reply 2

username6990201

In my opinion, this is not a good idea. There are a few reasons you will find this difficult:

•

Studying FM on it's own will be hard anyway, because it's tough concepts. If you get a private tutor for this, it will become expensive, and if you do it by yourself you will find it tough to understand hard concepts without a teacher.

•

On top of this, you will have to study FM in parallel with Maths, because you will take two years to learn Maths A level. This is difficult because FM is harder topics, some of which have prerequisite knowledge from Maths A level. Many schools teach maths in one year and further maths in the second, or if they don't do this, they teach both in parallel in a closely thought out order. Even that isn't great because your maths skills just won't be advanced enough to comfortably tackle FM content.

•

Doing 5 A levels is hard. People don't normally do this, and it is not necessary. Plus self-teaching FM will make it even more time consuming that it already would be.

Reply 3

stony-earthling

Thanks for the advice. I don't really want to drop DT as it's a subject I enjoy and it's more variety than simply more maths, but it would be more appealing to universities and probably still something I'd enjoy studying. I'll consider switching subjects.
It's clear now that studying 5 A levels is unreasonable and will probably worsen my grades

Reply 4

username6990201

Original post by stony-earthling

I understand. It's hard to drop subjects you enjoy, and it's a shame that we have to narrow down early. Good luck with making a decision.

Reply 5

Retardardillo

Best option is to swap out DT for further maths. If you are super unwilling to do it then it's completely possible as long as you work hard and commit properly.

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