Group 5 - Mathematics

The IB Diploma requires that you take a Mathematics course. At DCSG we offer both pathways in terms of the Mathematics courses - 

Guidance regarding choice of level

  • Students are required to receive an A or A* in their (I)GCSE or equivalent studies to do the Higher Level. For Mathematics it is also important the level of the Mathematics qualification that they have undertaken e.g. Additional, Extended or Core - see below for each course.
  • The Higher Level courses are considered somewhere between the A Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics courses, and so are challenging. Students must have the ability, the need and the interest to succeed.

Which route to take?

More guidance is given in the following pages but below is some simple guidance on which route in Mathematics maybe more appropriate for students.

Subject Briefs

PLEASE NOTE AS THESE ARE NEW MATHEMATICS COURSES NOT ALL UNIVERSITIES HAVE PUBLISHED WHAT THEY WILL ACCEPT FOR ENTRY AND SO PLEASE SPEAK WITH THE IB DP COORDINATOR AND UNIVERSITY COUNSELLORS TO GET THE MOST APPROPRIATE ADVICE FOR EACH SITUATION.

UK University Example Acceptance - Durham

Below is a typical example acceptance table for a Russell Group and above University. Please check individual Universities for more details...

Admissions have provided the information in handy table format:

Maths Analysis & Approaches

Maths Applications & Interpretation

Notes

Maths

Yes

No

Offer: Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) + 38 overall to include 766 in Higher Level Subjects, with the 7 being in Higher Level Maths Analysis & Approaches and 6 for any two other Higher level subjects. Alternatively: 38 overall including 776 in higher level subjects, including a 7 in Maths Analysis & Approaches.

Engineering

Yes

Yes

Education Studies (Psychology)

Yes

Yes

Same as Psychology

Natural Sciences

Whatever the component subject is asking for

Biosciences

Yes

Yes

Combined Honours in Social Sciences

Yes

Yes

Same as Economics

Psychology

Yes

Yes

Physics

Yes

No

Chemistry

Yes

Yes

Computer Science

Yes

Yes

Economics (inc PPE)

Yes

Yes

Business

Yes

Yes

Accounting

Yes

Yes

Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (MAA)

  • Mathematics HL  (MAA) - - a pure maths course focused on proof, which is very challenging. Students will normally have followed the (I)GCSE Additional Mathematics pathway. In terms of need - most Engineering, Physics and Mathematics courses require Higher Level Maths, and some Economics and Computer Science at competitive universities. 
    • Recommendation - A* or A at Additional Mathematics at (I)GCSE - those that have Extended only may be considered but under specific circumstances and recommendations from the Head of Mathematics. Students without Additional Mathematics will need to attend catch up sessions and follow through on summer work given to be ready for embarking on the HL course.
  • Mathematics SL (MAA) - a pure maths course focused on proof, which is still challenging. There will be some engineering, economics, computer science courses in UK Universities that will accept this level.
    • Requirements - A*  or A an Extended Mathematics at (I)GCSE.

Mathematics Applications and Interpretations (MAI)

  • Math HL (MAI) - a challenging statistics based course based on practical problem solving and perfect for those entering University for Social Sciences and some Economics courses etc.
    • Requirements - A* or A at Additional Mathematics at (I)GCSE - those that have Extended only may be considered but under specific circumstances and recommendations from the Head of Mathematics.
  • Math SL (MAI) - a statistics based course based on practical problem solving and perfect for those entering University for Social Sciences etc. This will be a course for students that may find Mathematics a challenge.
    • Recommendation - B or above at Extended Mathematics at (I)GCSE; students who have received a C will be considered with recommendations from the Head of Mathematics.
  • Questions for a student to consider when choosing a level of Mathematics are - 
    • Would I have chosen to study Mathematics at A Level? 
    • Is Mathematics needed for my University course? - if not, consider carefully about whether Higher Level Mathematics is the correct choice.
    • Do I enjoy the challenge of Mathematics? 
    • Will statistics, and so Mathematics MAI, help at University?
    • Will the time required to study Mathematics be detrimental to the time needed in other Diploma subjects?

The IB Diploma Organisation has just published this helpful blogpost to also guide students.