Further Math without Math?

Hello,

I am an international student entering my A-levels. I have taken IGCSE Additional Maths and notice a fair bit of content overlap with A-level Math.
Is it possible to take A-level Further Math WITHOUT taking A-level Math?

I have also written an Advanced Placement Calculus Paper. I can self-study the additional prerequisite content needed for Further Math.

I notice most CS and Engineering programs that I am interested in have Math as a requirement and Further Math as optional but recommended if offered, but I am wondering what will happen if I go directly for Further Math? Will I not be able to apply to these programs?

My school does seem to enforce any constraints here. Are there any prerequisite requirements from CIE?

Thank you.

Reply 1

thegeek888

To take A-Level Further Maths, you need to have studied A-Level Maths and achieved at least an A grade.

Reply 2

Skiwi

Original post by anand498a

Hello,
I am an international student entering my A-levels. I have taken IGCSE Additional Maths and notice a fair bit of content overlap with A-level Math.
Is it possible to take A-level Further Math WITHOUT taking A-level Math?
I have also written an Advanced Placement Calculus Paper. I can self-study the additional prerequisite content needed for Further Math.
I notice most CS and Engineering programs that I am interested in have Math as a requirement and Further Math as optional but recommended if offered, but I am wondering what will happen if I go directly for Further Math? Will I not be able to apply to these programs?
My school does seem to enforce any constraints here. Are there any prerequisite requirements from CIE?
Thank you.

I suppose the answer is yes? Although it's a bad idea.

From an exam point of view, further assumes all of regular maths, so if you want to access most of the further content you'll need to learn A-level maths anyways. You are also probably overestimating the amount of overlap ( although i am not familiar with the IGCSE add math spec), i'd assume the overlap would just be the first few basic chapters and maybe a brief surface level overview of some topics.

On the uni front(UK unis anyways), if the requirements state they need maths, and you apply without it, you will be rejected simply because you dont meet the entry requirements.

Reply 3

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by thegeek888

To take A-Level Further Maths, you need to have studied A-Level Maths and achieved at least an A grade.

This may be the case at your school / college but this is not universal policy.

To OP: You could in theory sit the exams and get the qualification of an A-Level in Further Maths independent of sitting A-Level Maths. In practice, there would be little point. The content of A-Level Maths is a direct prerequisite for that of Further Maths so you would be expected to cover all of the 'Pure' content regardless - which is the majority of the A-Level. At that point, you may as well cover the remaining bits and get the A-Level Maths qualification and not worry about the risk of universities not accepting your mixed qualifications.

It is also worth noting that, whilst there is overlap between iGCSE Additional Mathematics and A-Level Maths, the latter is of a much higher level and you would need to do a lot of independent study in order to get a strong enough footing to either sit the exam or use as prerequisite knowledge for Further Maths A-Level.