Mathematics
- In recent years, St John's has typically made 13 or more offers across Mathematics and Mathematics and Computer Science.
- We strongly encourage prospective candidates to study as much Mathematics at school as possible, for example taking Advanced Extension (AE) papers or STEP papers in Mathematics, as they will be good preparation for University Mathematics.
- When selecting candidates, we focus on performance in the MAT exam, other examinations, and school reports, with the interviews providing significant additional insights.
- The mathematics interview will predominantly be spent on problems of a mathematical nature. These will not involve any substantial prior knowledge, but will require a systematic way of thinking, and are designed to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to argue mathematically. The tutors are looking for intelligent thinking about how you could tackle the question.
- The entry requirements for this course are determined by the University’s Mathematical Institute.
- More information about applying to study Mathematics at Oxford can be found on the Institute’s website.
- General advice about applying to St John’s can be found here.
- Mathematicians at St John's have an excellent record of academic achievement. Since 1997, nearly 60% of undergraduate mathematicians have got Firsts (comfortably the largest proportion of any Oxford College). Many have been awarded the University prize for the best performance in Mathematics finals or in a joint course, or the runners up prizes.
- St John’s College offers a large and vibrant mathematics community across undergraduate and graduate students, early career researchers, official fellows and tutors, supernumerary fellows, and professorial fellows. We run many events across the year, from our termly undergraduate seminar through subject dinner to Maths strawberries & fizz.
- The Mathematics tutors take tutorials on almost all mathematical topics in the first two years.
- Oxford's course, like that at Cambridge, moves at a faster pace than other universities, building upon the high level of ability of our students. Consequently, in the later stages our course goes further and deeper than other universities.
- Read the profile of a St John’s student studying Mathematics here
- Our students have gone into highly paid finance, actuarial, and computing jobs, as well as working for GCHQ or becoming teachers. Many chose to pursue doctoral degrees through further study.
