Mathematics

Each year the College admits about eight students to study Mathematics or Mathematics and Statistics. Our students have a strong academic record and over the past two decades they have done particularly well, with around 50% getting First Class honours in Finals.

Most of our successful candidates have A star grades in both Mathematics and Further Mathematics A-levels or a high grade in the International Baccalaureate by the time they arrive in Oxford. Likewise some have school-leaving qualifications from outside the United Kingdom, with high grades. However, not everyone has had the same opportunity to study as much mathematics at school level, but it is still possible to meet the Oxford requirements, which can be found here on the Maths Department website. Such candidates are very much encouraged to apply.  They will have to work hard to catch up before arriving to study at Oxford, but the ability to work independently will then be a great advantage at university.

We accept candidates from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and always make allowance, in the admissions process, for the amount of help candidates have received with their preparation. We are looking for candidates with academic potential and motivation, who have the necessary perseverance and are able to think for themselves.

There are four tutors in Mathematics: Colin Please who works on mathematical modelling of industrial and biological problems, Peter Keevash who specialises in combinatorics, Derek Goldrei whose interests are mainly in mathematical logic, and Dino Sejdinovic who specialises in statistical machine learning.  Mansfield is situated within a few minutes walk of the Mathematical Institute, the Statistics Institute and the Radcliffe Science Library.

All applicants sit a test.  The form of the test may vary from year to year, but some specimen tests with sample solutions can be found on the Maths Department website.

If you are shortlisted, you will have one interview at Mansfield and an interview at another college. The majority of the interview at Mansfield will be spent talking about mathematics and you will be asked to work through two or three problems on a white board.  We expect to have to give some help with these and we want to see how quick you are to take a hint, how well you understand the material you have learnt at school or college, and whether you can think for yourself and absorb and use new ideas. We are looking for potential rather than a large mass of accumulated knowledge.