A-level Maths is one of the most challenging, and yet most popular A-levels that students take each year.
In 2022, 89,605 students were entered for A-level Maths - more that any other subject with Psychology coming in at number two will over 76000 entries.
Here I want us to look at the reasons why A-level Maths is so hugely popular and whether you should be joining the majority and studying it too.
You get to learn great transferable skills
The skills learnt through studying Maths are quite unique - you get to learn great problem solving skills, data analysis and logic. But as well as these and some of the skills I actually find the most important as the persistence you can learn by studying A-level Maths. How often to you start a problem, not get to the answer but then rather than give up you dust yourself off and try again.
So not only to you understand to problem solve, analyse complex ideas and learn to apply your knowledge you also learn to not give up and try a fresh approach - all skills that will help your throughout your lives.
You will be paid more
Research undertaken by the UK’s Department of Education showed that students who studied A-level Further Maths in 2010/2011 were earning more by 24 years old than those who studied any other A-level! The median salary of a 24 year old who had studied A-level Further Maths in 2010/2011 was £25,500 - this was followed by Economics (£23,900), Physics (£23,700) and Maths (£22,500).
So if your future earnings are important to you - studying A-level Maths or Further Maths will give you the advantage!
If you are interested in looking at this research n more detail and seeing the outcomes of other A-levels you can find it here.
It is a requirement for many degrees
There are a lot of degrees which require A-level Maths and even more which would prefer you to have an A-level in Maths - so if you have a degree in mind make sure you check whether this will be an essential requirement.
Here is a list of some degrees that will (usually) require you to have an A-level in Maths:
Mathematics
Physics
Statistics
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Aeronautical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Economics
If you want to study these subjects but are not studying A-level Maths you may find this an obstacle - do your research around universities you may be interested in to check out their requirements.
Gives an advantage to university applications even when not compulsory
Research by University of London’s Institute of Education found that taking A-level Maths is more helpful in getting a place at a Russell Group university than studying at a grammar or private school.
The report showed that there is a maths premium even for degree subjects unrelated to maths such as humanities subjects and languages.
This suggests that one of he best ways to get offered a place at a top university may be by studying A-level Maths - even if your subject may be unrelated.
Why do you study A-level Maths? I would love to hear - leave me a comment below!