AQA and OCR both offer A-level Further Mathematics with the same Ofqual-mandated Core Pure content. OCR comes in two versions: OCR Mathematics A (H245) and OCR MEI (H645), the more conceptually demanding option. Choosing between AQA and OCR usually comes down to which specification your school offers.
What is mandatory across all Further Maths specifications?
Ofqual requires every A-level Further Mathematics specification to include a mandatory Core Pure Mathematics component covering:
- Complex numbers and the Argand diagram
- Matrices, determinants, transformations, and eigenvalues
- Further calculus (improper integrals, volumes of revolution, Maclaurin series)
- Further vectors in three dimensions (lines, planes)
- Proof by induction
- Hyperbolic functions and inverse trigonometric functions
This content is fixed and identical across AQA and both OCR specifications. Students who move school between Year 12 and Year 13 on different boards will find the core pure content consistent.
How do the assessment structures compare?
Both AQA and OCR require students to sit A-level Mathematics alongside A-level Further Mathematics. Further Maths is assessed through four papers: two Core Pure and two optional applied papers.
| Feature | AQA (7367) | OCR Mathematics A Further (H245) | OCR MEI Further (H645) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Pure 1 | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h 40m |
| Core Pure 2 | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h 40m |
| Optional paper 1 | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h 40m |
| Optional paper 2 | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h | 25%, 2h 40m |
| Linear | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Co-requisite | A-level Maths | A-level Maths | A-level Maths |
What optional modules are available?
AQA optional papers include: Further Pure Mathematics, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics, and Discrete Mathematics (graphs, networks, linear programming, algorithms). Schools choose two from this list.
OCR Mathematics A optional papers include: Further Pure Mathematics, Further Statistics, Further Mechanics, and Modelling with Algorithms. The content is broadly comparable to AQA's Discrete option under a different name.
OCR MEI optional papers include: Extra Pure, Mechanics Major, Statistics Major, and Modelling with Algorithms. The MEI optional papers go deeper into each applied strand than OCR A or AQA — for example, MEI Statistics Major includes more advanced probability theory that overlaps with first-year university statistics.
What makes OCR MEI different from AQA?
OCR MEI is the most distinctive Further Maths specification available. Developed with the Mathematics in Education and Industry organisation, it is designed to:
- Reward mathematical reasoning, proof, and problem-solving over procedural calculation
- Include richer modelling contexts — physical systems, networks, statistical models — that mirror undergraduate Mathematics
- Provide deeper treatment of selected topics rather than broad coverage across many
Students on OCR MEI consistently report that the papers require deeper understanding and are less amenable to formulaic technique application than AQA. This makes OCR MEI a strong preparation for Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science at research universities — but demands a level of mathematical maturity that not all students have at the end of Year 12.
AQA is more widely accessible. Its question style is consistent with AQA's A-level Maths approach — well-structured, technique-focused, with clear mark schemes. Students and teachers familiar with AQA A-level Maths will find the transition to AQA Further Maths relatively smooth. AQA has the largest past-paper archive for Further Maths and the widest range of third-party revision materials.
Does the board affect university applications?
No. Both AQA and OCR Further Mathematics are equally recognised by universities for Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Economics. The subject itself — not the board — is the key signal on a UCAS application. OCR MEI has an informal reputation among some Mathematics departments for rigorous preparation, but no university specifies a preferred Further Maths board.
Which board is more commonly offered?
AQA and Edexcel are the most widely offered Further Maths boards nationally, with OCR MEI having a devoted following in schools where teachers have been trained in the MEI approach. If your school is setting up Further Maths for the first time, AQA is the most accessible starting point for teachers without a board preference.
Frequently asked questions
Is OCR MEI Further Maths harder than AQA Further Maths?
OCR MEI Further Maths is generally considered the most demanding specification among the mainstream options, primarily because of its emphasis on mathematical reasoning and proof. For students who thrive on understanding why methods work, MEI is very rewarding. For students who prefer procedural technique, AQA's approach is more comfortable. Both are calibrated to the same overall standard.
Can I do Further Maths in one year instead of two?
Some schools offer Further Maths in a compressed format — studying A-level Maths in Year 12 and Further Maths in Year 13, or doing both simultaneously over two years. Both AQA and OCR allow this. However, both specifications assume genuine depth of understanding rather than last-minute coverage — compressing the content is only realistic for highly able students with very strong Year 11 preparation.
What is the difference between Further Pure and Mechanics options?
Further Pure Mathematics options extend the pure content of the Core Pure papers into areas such as differential equations, further complex number theory, and projective geometry. Further Mechanics options extend Newton's mechanics into work, energy, impulse, and more complex forces. Students applying to Physics or Engineering often prefer Mechanics; those applying to Mathematics often prefer Further Pure. Decision Mathematics or Modelling with Algorithms suits students heading towards Computer Science or Operational Research.
Do universities that want Further Maths also care about the optional modules?
In most cases, no. Universities do not typically specify which optional modules they expect within Further Maths — they assess the overall grade and whether Further Maths was taken. The exception is some highly selective Mathematics and Physics courses where teachers or personal tutors may ask at interview about the specific content studied, but even then the distinction between optional modules rarely determines outcomes.
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