Statistics
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Your support makes all the difference.What is it? "It is the art of decision-making in the face of uncertainty," says Gordon Skipworth, chief examiner in statistics at Edexcel. Should a new drug be put on the market? What will Britain's most common crime be in 10 year's time? By how much will London's new congestion charge reduce traffic? Statisticians can provide answers to these questions, and many more. Statistics is normally studied in combination with pure maths and mechanics as part of an A-level in maths or further maths. However, some students chose to specialise in statistics.
Why do it? As the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies and statistics, and this A-level will enable you to assess the statistics that we are fed by the press and politicians.
What skills do you need? GCSE maths at grade A or B. Computer skills are also useful.
How much practical work is there?
At both AS and A2, you can choose to take a coursework module. In both cases, you select an area of interest and explore it using statistical theory. Popular topics for analysis include football scores, exam results and traffic congestion.
Ratio of coursework to exams? It depends on what modules you take.
Is it hard? "The concepts can be difficult," says Edexcel's Gordon Skipworth. "Many people find probability tough. This is not a soft option."
Who takes it? Thousands of students take the first statistics module as part of their A-level maths. Only a few complete a whole A-level in statistics.
How cool is it? "The increasing number of students taking the A-level suggests that it's cool," says Gordon Skipworth. It's the most relevant part of the maths syllabus to everyday life.
Added value: If you're partial to the odd bet, you can calculate your chances of success.
What subjects go with it? Biology, geography, history, psychology and sociology.
What degrees does it lead to? Either a degree in statistics, or one of the courses that incorporate it, such as maths, sociology, biology, geography.
Will it set you up for a brilliant career? Yes. The medical field employs statisticians. Or there's the Civil Service.
What do the students say? "I want to do architecture at university, and you need maths for it," says Kilsha Acharya, 17, who is also studying for AS-levels in psychology, art and sociology at Harrow College. "Many of my class are also doing statistics because they need it at a higher level." Matt Davis, 17, who is also studying IT and coaching at Hereford Sixth Form College, finds statistics helps him with his other subjects: "I've been using a lot of statistics in my IT course."
Which awarding bodies offer it? AQA and Edexcel.
How widely available is it around the country? Very.
Additional research by Jody Raynsford
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