Is Further Maths a separate A-Level?

Yes. It is its own A-Level with its own grade, taken alongside A-Level Maths.

How many papers are there in A-Level Further Maths?

It depends on the board. AQA has three two-hour papers. Edexcel and OCR A have four papers of 1 hour 30 minutes. OCR B (MEI) has a Core Pure paper of 2 hours 40 minutes plus option papers.

What topics are optional in Further Maths?

The core pure maths is compulsory on every board. The options are chosen from areas such as mechanics, statistics, discrete or decision maths and extra pure maths, and the list differs by board.

Do you need Further Maths to study maths at university?

At some universities, yes. Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick all require A-Level Further Maths for their maths degrees. Others, such as Durham, offer a route with AS Further Maths.

What percentage of students get an A or A* in Further Maths?

58.9% of grades were A* or A in summer 2026, and 29.0% were A*, across 21,032 students in the UK.

Does The Tutors Room teach Further Maths?

Yes. A-Level Further Maths is taught one-to-one online by a qualified maths teacher at £50 for a 60-minute lesson, the same price as A-Level Maths.

A-Level further maths · Years 12 and 13

A-Level Further Maths: what it covers and how it is examined

What is compulsory, which options each board offers, how many papers there are, how students did in 2026 and what universities say about it.

By The Tutors Room · Updated 3 October 2026 · 4 min read

In short

A-Level Further Maths is a separate A-Level taken alongside A-Level Maths. Between half and two-thirds of it is compulsory pure maths, and the rest is chosen from options such as mechanics, statistics and discrete maths. In summer 2026, 21,032 students sat it in the UK and 58.9% of grades were A* or A. Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick require it for their maths degrees.

How each board examines it

How each board examines it
AQA (7367). Papers 1 and 2 are the compulsory content, Paper 3 is two optionsAQA: A-Level Further Mathematics 7367 specification	3 papers · 2 hours · 100 marks each
Pearson Edexcel (9FM0). Two compulsory Core Pure papers and two option papersPearson Edexcel: A-Level Further Mathematics 9FM0 specification	4 papers · 1 hour 30 minutes · 75 marks each
OCR A (H245). Pure Core 1 and 2, plus two option papersOCR: A-Level Further Mathematics A H245 specification	4 papers · 1 hour 30 minutes · 75 marks each
OCR B, MEI (H645). One Core Pure paper worth 50%, then a major and a minor option, or three minorsOCR: A-Level Further Mathematics B (MEI) H645 specification	Core Pure: 2 hours 40 minutes · 144 marks

The options

AQA. Students study two of three: mechanics, statistics and discrete maths.AQA: A-Level Further Mathematics 7367 specification
Pearson Edexcel. Two papers from eight: Further Pure 1 and 2, Further Statistics 1 and 2, Further Mechanics 1 and 2, and Decision 1 and 2. That gives ten possible pairs.Pearson Edexcel: A-Level Further Mathematics 9FM0 specification
OCR A. Two of four: Statistics, Mechanics, Discrete Mathematics and Additional Pure Mathematics.OCR: A-Level Further Mathematics A H245 specification
OCR B (MEI). A Mechanics or Statistics major with one minor, or three minors. The minors are Mechanics, Statistics, Modelling with Algorithms, Numerical Methods, Extra Pure and Further Pure with Technology.OCR: A-Level Further Mathematics B (MEI) H645 specification
One option is ending. OCR is withdrawing MEI's Further Pure with Technology paper. It can be started for the last time in September 2026 and is examined for the last time in summer 2028.OCR: A-Level Further Mathematics B (MEI) H645 specification

Not every school or college teaches every option, so check what yours offers.

AS Further Maths

It exists as its own qualification. AQA's AS has two papers of 1 hour 30 minutes, and Edexcel's has two papers of 1 hour 40 minutes, each worth 80 marks.AQA: AS Further Mathematics 7366 specification
It does not count towards the A-Level. Since the reforms, AS results no longer count towards an A-Level grade.Ofqual: AS and A level reform

Who takes it, and how they do

Who takes it, and how they do
Students who sat A-Level Further Maths, UK, summer 2026JCQ: A-Level results 2026, table 1	21,032
The same figure in 2025	19,390
Further Maths grades at A*	29.0%
Further Maths grades at A* or A	58.9%
A-Level Maths grades at A* or A, for comparison	42.5%
All A-Level subjects, grades at A* or A	28.5%

JCQ describes the summer 2026 figures as provisional.

What universities say about it

These are the universities' own statements for 2027 entry. Requirements change, so check the course page before applying.

Cambridge, Mathematics. Applicants need A-Levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics.University of Cambridge: Mathematics
Cambridge, Engineering. Mathematics and Physics are needed, with "Further Mathematics to AS or A level if your school offers it".University of Cambridge: Engineering
Imperial, Mathematics. The offer includes A* in Mathematics and A* in Further Mathematics. Imperial says it can make special cases for students whose schools do not offer the A-Level.Imperial College London: Mathematics
Imperial, Computing. A* in Mathematics is required, "with Further Mathematics preferred".Imperial College London: Computing
Warwick, Mathematics. "A*A* in Maths and Further Maths, plus A in a third subject at A level".University of Warwick: Mathematics
Durham, Mathematics. One of its routes accepts A in AS-level Further Mathematics alongside A* in Mathematics and an admissions test.Durham University: Mathematics
Oxford, Physics. "Further Mathematics can be helpful to candidates in completing this course, although this is not required for admission."University of Oxford, Department of Physics: how to apply

Sources

Specifications and university pages checked on 3 October 2026. Results are for summer 2026.