Module Summary

What do you study in A Level Mathematics?

The examination boards AQA, EdExcel, OCR, CCEA and WJEC all divide the A level curriculum into four main areas of study: Pure maths (known as Core), Statistics, Mechanics (known previously as "Applied Maths") and Decision. Due to staffing or financial constraints, not every schools can offer all of these options however. You will need to check this yourself. Most exam boards will have very similar but not identical content within each area. These areas are then subdivided into modules which are each examined separately. Again, the contents of these modules will differ slightly between exam boards

Areas of study

Core: C1 onwards.

Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry, Series, Differentiation, Integration, Exponentials and Logs, Trigonometry, Numerical Methods, Vectors

Statistics: S1 onwards.

Statistical models, Summarising data, Probability, Correlation and Regression, Discrete Random Variables, The Normal Distribution, The Binomial Distribution, The Poisson Distribution, Continuous Random Variables, Continuous Distributions, Hypothesis tests, Combinations of random variables, Sampling, Goodness of fit

Mechanics: M1 onwards.

Vectors, Kinematics, Dynamics, Statics, Moments, Centres of mass, Work and energy, Collisions, Statics of rigid bodies

Decision: D1 onwards.

Algorithms, Algorithms on graphs, Route inspection, Critical path analysis, Linear programming, Matchings, Flows in a network

Available modules

The precise content of modules varies from exam board to exam board. This table summaries a typical breakdown.

Modules available: C1, C2, C3, C4, S1, S2, S3, M1, M2, M3, D1, D2. C1, C2, S1, D1 and M1 are designated as AS modules. The rest are A2 modules.
There are yet more modules if you are doing Further Mathematics: FP1, FP2, FP3. A full Further Mathematics course will get you two A Level qualifications
A 1-year AS Mathematics course will require 3 modules
A 2-year A Level Mathematics course will require 6 modules
A 2-year A Level Further Mathematics course will require 12 modules
To do a Mathematics A level, you have to do some Pure Maths
Mechanics goes well with Physics
Statistics goes well with Geography, Biology, Psychology
Here are some typical 3-module AS courses:
[C1, C2, S1] or [C1, C2, M1] or [C1, C2, D1]
Here are some typical 6-module A Level courses:
[C1, C2, C3, C4, S1, S2] or [C1, C2, C3, C4, M1, M2] or [C1, C2, C3, C4, S1, M1]
Here is a typical 12-module Further Mathematics A Level course:
[C1, C2, C3, C4, FP1, FP2, FP3, S1, S2, S3, M1, M2,]
The choice you make will depend very much on what the school or college can offer. No school or college can offer every single permutation of available modules.

Which modules are easiest?

The 64 dollar question
If your only concern is to find the easiest module regardless of its content then maybe you should be doing another A Level course altogether!
It is the upfront fundamental view of this website that Mathematics is the most important subject to study at GCSE or A Level. It is the most rewarding, the most educational, and also, unfortunately, amongst the hardest.
Exam result statistics from previous exams can be very misleading, since you do not know which scores come from first time, resit or Further Mathematics candidates, and some papers are taken by a very small (selective) group of students
Most module marks are higher on average in January Year 13 than in June Year 12
Choose your modules on the basis of your overall A level choice and your thinking about career or college plans. Don't hope to find easy options.

When should you take your modules?

Some modules can be taken in June at the end of the AS course - typically at the end of Year 12
Some modules can be taken in January of the second year
Some modules can be taken in June at the end of the A Level course - typically at the end of Year 13
There are very generous regulations about re-sitting exams, and it is recommended that you should use this system to your best advantage. You do have to pay yourself for resits but the cost is insignificant compared to the possible gains. Check with your school or college about precise details.