Overview

What are Free-standing Mathematics Qualifications?

FSMQs are qualifications in mathematics that became part of the national qualifications framework in September 2000. They are available at three different levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced.
Each unit:

• focuses on a particular area of mathematics that is studied in depth;
• requires 60 hours of guided learning hours;
• encourages students to use mathematics in their other studies, work and interests;
• encourages students to use calculators and computers effectively;
• is assessed by equally weighted coursework portfolio and written examination.

Why 'Free-standing'?
These qualifications are not attached to any other qualification.

Who are FSMQs for?
FSMQs were designed to appeal to all post-16 students. They can now be taken by students of all ages following many different courses including GCSE, GNVQs, AS/A levels, Vocational A levels, ACCESS, Foundation and many others. The choice of FSMQs will depend on a student's other studies and interests. Strands gives suggestions for particular groups of students.

What are FSMQs worth?
At Advanced level each FSMQ is notionally equivalent to one AS or A level module or one unit of a Vocational A level. They can be studied individually or combined and extended to give the AS level: Use of Mathematics.

Students gaining an Intermediate FSMQ have shown that they can work in some depth with mathematics equivalent to that required to achieve a grade in the range C - A* at GCSE.
Students gaining a Foundation FSMQ have shown that they can work in some depth with mathematics equivalent to that required to achieve a grade in the range G - D at GCSE.
Foundation and Intermediate FSMQs cannot be aggregated to other existing qualifications.

UCAS Points
Students who complete Advanced level FSMQs will gain UCAS points.