“Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit” (S. Banach). Together we marvel at that beauty and study the power of its applications.

Average intake: 10

  • 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.
  • Candidates apply to Mathematics/Mathematics & Statistics and will decide later their preferred focus. Our mathematicians enjoy close ties with computer scientists, the joint degree in Mathematics & Computer Science being one of our strengths.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Read two profile of St John's student studying Mathematics here.

Mathematics and Joint Schools tutors