Free-Standing Mathematics Units (FSMUs) are now available; a new qualification which can be used in a variety of ways alongside academic, vocational or work-placed qualifications.

FSMUs are new qualifications available from September 2000. They can support a wide variety of courses and aim to encourage students to include appropriate mathematics as part of their course. Examinations in these new qualifications will be offered for the first time in four areas in January 2001 and all eleven areas in June 2001. This pattern will then be repeated annually as shown below:

NB. Edexcel will review the units offered in January according to demand and uptake.

FSMU are available at three levels:

• Level 1 Foundation (includes mathematics up to approximately grade D standard of GCSE Mathematics);
• Level 2 Intermediate (includes mathematics up to approximately grade A* standard of GCSE Mathematics);
• Level 3 Advanced (includes mathematics equivalent to that found in AS/Advanced GCE Mathematics or Advanced GNVQ courses).

Each unit:

• Requires 60 hours of teacher-directed study;
• Funded as loadbanded qualifications and fall into load band 2;
• Allows students to study principles and develop applications of specific aspects of mathematics to some depth, drawing upon and enhancing other areas of their work, studies or interests;
• Is assessed by equally weighted elements of portfolio evidence and external examination.

UCAS points:

• Level 3 units each attract UCAS points: