Can’t do further maths a level what now

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

Reply 1

sound-famous-

13

What grade did you get in GCSE? You may be decent but not confident in your ability due to high achievement around you at your school. I'd say if you got an 8 then ask your school very nicely and explain to them why you want to take further maths and why you think you'd be capable of taking it. If you got less than an 8 I would say maybe Further Maths would be a hard course for you, and may not be an appropriate choice. Your school has grade requirements for a reason.

Economics is a highly mathematical degree, and many of the competitive universities you've named will ask you to sit the TMUA which is a maths exam. If you're really not good at maths, then you might have to set your sights a bit lower, as even Warwick and UCL are extremely competitive for economics.

Reply 2

Labradoodle1

19

If you explain to them your reasons, I'm sure they'd let you. It's worth asking. You have nothing to lose.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by sound-famous-

What grade did you get in GCSE? You may be decent but not confident in your ability due to high achievement around you at your school. I'd say if you got an 8 then ask your school very nicely and explain to them why you want to take further maths and why you think you'd be capable of taking it. If you got less than an 8 I would say maybe Further Maths would be a hard course for you, and may not be an appropriate choice. Your school has grade requirements for a reason.
Economics is a highly mathematical degree, and many of the competitive universities you've named will ask you to sit the TMUA which is a maths exam. If you're really not good at maths, then you might have to set your sights a bit lower, as even Warwick and UCL are extremely competitive for economics.

Hi I got an 8, but I wasn’t close to a 9, I was just right in the middle. Is it still worth doing? I really struggle with maths when it comes to certain topics, but I also got an 8 doing further maths GCSE. In my school I will also have to do 4 alevels because they don’t want to limit your studies to just maths, so I’m still not sure if I should because it would be too much ☹️ is it a bad sign that I’m even hesitating 😭

Reply 4

sound-famous-

13

Original post by Anonymous

Hi I got an 8, but I wasn’t close to a 9, I was just right in the middle. Is it still worth doing? I really struggle with maths when it comes to certain topics, but I also got an 8 doing further maths GCSE. In my school I will also have to do 4 alevels because they don’t want to limit your studies to just maths, so I’m still not sure if I should because it would be too much ☹️ is it a bad sign that I’m even hesitating 😭

I know people with 8s in GCSE who coped alright with Further maths, it might just mean a bit more work for you to keep up. I would say you should probably start with it to see how it goes and then drop out later if necessary.

Reply 5

hey2069

5

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

If your school doesnt allow futher maths I believe the teacher can explain why in the teacher reference when applying to university

Reply 6

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

you could always move schools or go to a sixth form college

Reply 7

Labradoodle1

19

Original post by Anonymous

Hi I got an 8, but I wasn’t close to a 9, I was just right in the middle. Is it still worth doing? I really struggle with maths when it comes to certain topics, but I also got an 8 doing further maths GCSE. In my school I will also have to do 4 alevels because they don’t want to limit your studies to just maths, so I’m still not sure if I should because it would be too much ☹️ is it a bad sign that I’m even hesitating 😭

My college let people do further maths with an 8 in maths gcse, you'll be fine

Reply 8

okayokay100

4

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

hi, i was also in the same position as you. i am currently going maths economics geography and spanish for my a levels with hopes of doing economics at warwick or durham. just to let you know that you do not need further maths a level to go to a good uni to do economics! i know that some unis don’t even require maths a level to do economics degree.

so i decided to do spanish as my fourth as many unis think mfl are good subjects to have regardless of the course, as they are seen as facilitating subjects. but of course if languages aren’t your thing then don’t do that. my other option was biology, so maybe look into doing that if you are interested, as biology has lots of cross overs with geography and can give you different options if you do decide later on that you don’t want to do an econ degree.

so to finish off i would say you definitely do have a shot at good unis for econ, just be aware that you probably with have to do the tmua which is a maths entrance exam, although with an 8 in further maths gcse and im assuming a good grade in maths i am sure this will be okay. (also maybe look into economics courses which are a ba instead of a bsc as they tend to not have econometrics and have less maths if that is what you would prefer.)

hope that helps :smile:

Reply 9

Anonymous #3

Original post by Anonymous

Hi I got an 8, but I wasn’t close to a 9, I was just right in the middle. Is it still worth doing? I really struggle with maths when it comes to certain topics, but I also got an 8 doing further maths GCSE. In my school I will also have to do 4 alevels because they don’t want to limit your studies to just maths, so I’m still not sure if I should because it would be too much ☹️ is it a bad sign that I’m even hesitating 😭

I got a 7 in GCSE Maths, and got A*A* in Maths and further maths. Now at imperial for maths degree. With enough hard work you will be able to go to any university you want.

Reply 10

thegeek888

18

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

You should look at the option of entering as a Private Candidate i.e. External Candidate for A-Level Further Maths.

There are several YouTube channels anyone with a brain could follow and achieve an A* or A grade in A-Level Further Maths:

ExamSolutions, HindsMaths, BicenMaths and TLMaths are all excellent YouTube channels for A-Level Maths and A-Level Further Maths. So stop making excuses and do A-Level Further Maths as a Private Candidate.

FP1/FM1 or FM1/FD1 or FS1/FM1 could be your optional paper choices.

Good luck. 🙂

Reply 11

Scotney

20

Original post by Anonymous

I really want to do something economics related at uni, but I’m only in year 12 right now so honestly i don’t have much of an idea. I’m doing maths, geography and econ, but I can’t do further maths due to my gcse grade. I’m going to a grammar school and I feel like I’d be stupid to ask to do it when they really emphasise the need for a 9 in gcse to do further maths. I feel like now I don’t really have a chance at what I want, especially at top unis like LSE or oxbridge. I’m also, for lack of better words, not even that good at maths, so is it even worth asking my school? I’m almost certain they’ll say no, and that I’d struggle anyway. With my current alevels, do I have chances at other unis like UCL, Warwick and others like that?

I agree with Labradoodle and would ask school.Nothing to loose and if not as others have said not the end of world re economics degree.

Can’t do further maths a level what now

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