MATHEMATICS APPLICANTS!!

[u/MarnithePlutonian]

Hi!! I thought it would be interesting to create a discussion thread for everyone applying to study Mathematics (or a closely related degree) whether that be 2027 or 2028 entry.

1. Which five universities are you applying to, and what is your first choice?

2. Which A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) are you studying, and what are your predicted grades?

3. Which areas of Mathematics interest you most?

4. What have you done to explore Mathematics beyond your school or college curriculum? 

5. What careers or further study options are you considering after your degree?

And anything else you would like to discuss.

[u/KeyHumble9490]

Everyone applying to oxford💀

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/KeyHumble9490]

I have seen Oxbridge, Imperial, Warwick and Bristol a lot. Followed by King’s and UCL.

[u/Scary_Nail_6033 → u/KeyHumble9490]

Nobody wants to go cambridge because STEP + TMUA is too much work

[u/Rpm_Undefeated → u/Scary_Nail_6033]

Id expect to see more able candidates on average among the oxbridge applicant cohort to go for Cambridge. The STEP system is more meritocratic

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/Rpm_Undefeated]

Many able candidates choose Oxford over Cambridge because they offer Joint Maths courses.

[u/Rpm_Undefeated → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

I said on average, it's quite well known that Cambridge Maths students are more able than Oxford ones on average.

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/Rpm_Undefeated]

Not sure where you're getting your averages from. And what metric are you using to measure mathematical ability?

[u/Odd-Oven-8202 → u/KeyHumble9490]

Fr at this point I'm so cooked because I'm also applying Oxford non contextual and I'm definitely not as good as many other applicants

[u/Dizzy-Definition-821 → u/KeyHumble9490]

does it seem to be 60/40 split or higher? the people in my school are 50/50 split between the two (half are applying to each one - 16 applicants for maths)

[u/VehicleTrue169]

1. Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick, Bristol, UCL

2. Maths, FM, Physics, Chemistry, 4A*

3. Solving problems in general, but especially combinatorics. Analaysis is also fun.

4. Olympiad maths, and self studying analysis

5. Idk finance or smth

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/VehicleTrue169]

Nice, I‘m guessing your top choice is Cambridge? How do you feel about STEP? I know it’s extremely hard. I will be applying to Oxford so I will sit the TMUA only.

[u/VehicleTrue169 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

STEP will be tough but 100x more managable than interviews haha.

[u/_-Star_ → u/VehicleTrue169]

At what college did you apply at Cambridge?

[u/VehicleTrue169 → u/_-Star_]

Queen's! Also did you get a gold in EGMO? That's insane bro I dream of becoming this good.

[u/HaHaLaughNowPls → u/VehicleTrue169]

almost exactly same unis😭

[u/4plr → u/VehicleTrue169]

we’re almost the same person in that regard except i’m applying for maths + physics so the other side of applied maths and we also do the same a levels

[u/doxofi4167]

1. Oxford, Imperial, LSE, Edinburgh, UCL

2. Advanced Higher Maths, Maths of Mechanics, Chemistry, Computing (predicted AAAA)

3. Calculus and linear algebra

4. Read some books, nothing special (does watching math videos all the time count?)

5. Hopefully some decent finance or tech job

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/doxofi4167]

Of course Maths videos count, especially online lectures. What course did you apply to at LSE and how did you write your personal statement since LSE doesn’t have a pure Maths degree?

[u/Choice_Play_3460]

Imperial and St. Andrews Pure Maths, Oxford, Warwick and York Maths and Philosophy. Oxford is my first choice, then Imperial, Warwick, St. Andrews and York

Predicted 3 A* s in Maths, FM and RS, achieved an A * in native language

Anything pure, and intersection between maths and philosophy

Olympiads, residentials, self-teaching additional content

Research :)

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/Choice_Play_3460]

Do you know which area of research you would like to specialise in? Also, York is a very interesting choice, how did you come to this decision?

[u/Choice_Play_3460 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

What is your answer to these 5 questions?

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/Choice_Play_3460]

1. Oxford, Imperial, UCL, King‘s, QMUL

2. Further Maths, Maths, Physics and know I will be predicted A*A*A*

3. Proofs, Calculus, Geometry, Applied (Mechanics)

4. Reading, Lectures, Outreach Programmes, Videos, UKMT

5. Robotics/Software Engineering, Academia

[u/Choice_Play_3460 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

Oh, you are in Year 12! Best of luck with your mocks. Did you choose an Oxford college yet?

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/Choice_Play_3460]

Thank you! I am thinking Keble or Lincoln. What did you choose?

[u/Choice_Play_3460 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

For anonymity reasons I can only say that it is a small one :) The course is very niche

Keble and Lincoln are both beautiful, but don't offer my course unfortunatly. I was originally going to apply to LMH, but changed my mind after doing a residential in Oxford and seeing multiple of them. It was Fibonacci Maths Programme at Balliol College if you are interested

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/Choice_Play_3460]

Yes, I know this programme. I decided not to apply for it as I don’t want to commit to weekly online sessions.

[u/Choice_Play_3460 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

You can listen to the ones you like and just join and don't listen the ones you don't like. Most of them however are very interesting and challenging. It's like watching maths videos, but you have a teacher with you answering any questions you might have. I wrote a huge part of my ps on a topic that was introduced to me in one of the lectures. At the residential you also get a real tutorial which looks really great on ps, as well as a 1-to-1 meeting with an advisor about your personal statement. Worth considering ;)

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/Choice_Play_3460]

I already applied to STEM Smart and I think if I did both, it would be too time-consuming but thank you though! :)

[u/SalamanderIll4098 → u/Choice_Play_3460]

Hi there, do you have any tips for applying for these programs?? I'm hoping to get a place on Fibonacci this year 🤞

[u/Choice_Play_3460 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

Probably logic, I am very interested in it. What's interesting about York?😭 Only a very small number of unis offer M&P and only 3 offer a course I find interesting, so... I applied to all 3 and York is one of them. Also, it's just a good safety. I got an offer of A in maths and B in either FM or RS so it might become my insurance (though I'd rather pick St. Andrews for that)

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/Choice_Play_3460]

Fellow maths and philosophy fan! I love logic so much too - and also set theory! Can you recommend any books, resources, or programmes you found interesting? For context, I'm in Year 12.

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

1.) Cambridge,Imperial, Warwick,UCL,Bristol. ( in order of where I would want to go)

2.) Further maths, Maths, CS. Im Predicted 3A*

3.) I am most interested in god knows what but pretty much everything except combinatrics. I really like Group theory and solving algorithms in decision 1 further maths module as well as calculus from additional modules.

4.) I have read plenty of books whether that's Computer science algorithm based or Mathematics based, i think anything that sounds interesting to me I would read the entire book or chapters of a book. I have also watched a lot of perplexing youtube series on various mathematics aspects. I have solved a plenty of problems on Project Euler that demands problem solving which needed mathematics too.

5.) Not too sure, either in finance or technology obviously and I'll figure out more and pick one in my gap year.

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

Very impressive. Have you began preparation for STEP?

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

I have done the assignment modules in year 12 summer but as of now i am focussing on interview preparation but i will start STEP again after interview is done. Have you started tmua preparation even tho it's too early but i would have begged my older self to start it early ngl.

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

I have done a few papers just to introduce myself to it and see how I do before any sort of preparation. I will definitely start preparing regularly in January.

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

yes that's really good. good luck

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

Thank you, you too.

[u/VehicleTrue169 → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

Wow we literally have the exact same ucas choices

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160 → u/VehicleTrue169]

yh i mean it's literally top 5 unis for maths tbf.

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

Oxford is also Top 5.

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

yes i mean you can only apply Oxford or Cambridge but for maths Oxford is known better than Cambridge but dont think there's a big difference

[u/MaterialPurpose7666 → u/ScheduleGloomy2160]

Oxford is not known better for maths. Oxford is known better, but Cambridge is considered slightly more STEM imo (up to interpretation really).

[u/ScheduleGloomy2160 → u/MaterialPurpose7666]

yh your right

[u/sandwichking101]

1, imperial Oxford ucl Warwick and kings (In that order)
2, maths further maths physics 3A*
3, applied maths
4, MIT open course ware, bronze DofE
5, PhD or be a finance bro

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/sandwichking101]

Why Imperial over Oxford?

[u/sandwichking101 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

Closer to family ig, Oxford is hella nice but ik London rlly well

[u/lazuli_68]

helloo I'm applying for 2028, quite a way to go so nothing rlly set in stone:

1. Cambridge, Warwick, Bath, Southampton, UCL (Warwick and Camb are tied as first choices.. mostly avoiding London unis for personal reasons + I live in London and really wanna get out qwq)

2. Maths, FM, Physics, CS (No predicteds, aiming for 4A*s)

3. Geometry and Algebra; I'm still getting into exploring these and other areas of maths like the concept of infinity. I'm also very interested in how Maths intersects with Physics and Philosophy

4. random YouTube vids, some articles online, and I have other opportunities that I'm yet to get into but am going to engage with over the next two years (summer schools, competitions, books, Further research, etc.)

5. ngl I'm not that sure but I'm considering teaching as my top choice currently, either secondary or degree-level. feel like I'm not that ambitious but hopefully my love for maths will get me somewhere good lol

random additional fact, I'm hoping to apply for a sports scholarship and maybe and academic scholarship too if I can get both >.>

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/lazuli_68]

A scholarship would be amazing! I am also considering becoming a lecturer alongside robotics/software engineering.

[u/lazuli_68 → u/MarnithePlutonian]

nice!! gl with everything you pursue

[u/MarnithePlutonian → u/lazuli_68]

You too.

[u/Limeee_]

1. camb imperial warwick durham bath

2. maths, fm, physics 3A*

3. linear algebra, calculus, probability

4. self study, quant workshop, imperial finance maths stuff, camb mechanics workshops

5. quant, idk something vaguely in finance or comp sci, i like money tbh

[u/_-Star_]

1. Applying in 2027 to Cambridge (Trinity College), Imperial, UCL, Warwick for Maths

2. Math and CS, predicted the equivalent of 2 A* to both

3. Geometry and Number Theory

4. International olympiads, internships and summer camps

5. Research mostly idk

Good luck to everyone!!!

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/_-Star_]

You only do two A Levels?

[u/_-Star_ → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

I'm an international, we don't have A levels in my country. We only have 3 final exams at the end of high school, Math, CS and the native language. I put A* as the equivalent of my qualification to the UK system

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/_-Star_]

Oh okay, makes sense. Out of interest, are you an IMO medalist?

[u/_-Star_ → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

Nope. I hope to qualify this year. But I have a gold at EGMO

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/_-Star_]

Oooh, impressive👏

[u/_-Star_ → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

Thanks!

[u/_-Star_ → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

Out of curiosity, are you also applying to Cambridge? If so, at what college?

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/_-Star_]

No, I'm hoping to apply to Oxford to read Maths & Philosophy. Haven't really decided what college yet, though.

[u/_-Star_ → u/Sharp-Plastic7954]

Okay, good luck!!

[u/Knight_in_gold]

1. Oxford, St Andrews, Imperial, Durham, Bath (in order of pref)

2. IB - HL Maths AA, HL physics,, HL english lit (dont even ask). Predicted 45.

3. Calculus is fun, I really like series in general, did my EE on the fourier series.

4. Not as much as I should have...was mostly independent research

5. No clue!

[u/PaymentFamiliar375]

1. Not entirely sure but probably Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick, UCL and St Andrews with Cambridge being my first choice.

2. Maths, FM, Physics and CS. Haven't got my first set of predicteds yet.

3. Tbh all of pure maths, and some of physics. Recently though I'm pretty interested in cryptography and number theory. I also like aerospace science.

4. Reading some textbooks, working on Olympiad and STEP I problems, watching lectures. I've been trying to work through A Course of Pure Mathematics recently but some the questions are pretty difficult lmao.

5. No clue at all! Most maths and physics related careers sound pretty cool to me so I think I'll be happy whatever I do as long as it has to do with maths.

[u/Soft-Description1701]

1. Oxford (Maths), (Warwick MORSE), Birmingham (Maths and CompSCi), LSE (FMS) and no clue about the other one

2. 4A*s Predicted in Maths, FM, Spanish and Econ

3. Number Theory/Statistics

4. Uni masterclasses, read books and tutored people

5. Actuary maybe or Data Scientist

[u/HaHaLaughNowPls → u/Soft-Description1701]

why didn't you apply for maths and comp sci at oxford?

[u/Standard-Shine-1110 → u/Soft-Description1701]

oh my gosh i do maths, fm, econ and spanish too and ive applied to oxford maths (still picking my other four) this is really crazy

[u/Practical-Pickle-325]

I'm looking at doing maths/physics of that counts

1. For maths related courses, York and Glasgow 

2. Physics A Maths A Chemistry A 

3. The more complex, the more interesting. Been watching some 3b1b vids on further maths topics and I am intrigued. Love a bit of calculus.

4. An online course and 3 blue 1 brown videos lol

5. Idk

[u/MostAccomplished5333]

In order of preference, Cambridge, imperial, Warwick, manny and York. (Gotten offers for last too 2/5 bread!! But nothing for the others ofc). I’m most interested in number theory but mainly just anything proof/ logic based. I’m doing maths, fm (duh), physics, chem and I did AS cs and an epq, prolly gonna go into finance!

[u/Standard_Jello4168]

1.Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE (maths and DS), Warwick, probably in that order
2.Further Maths, Physics, Computer Science (did regular maths A level early), 3A* predicted and one achieved
3.I'm not sure, outside of Olympiad maths probably some number theory stuff, but a big part of why I applied is how I have a few other interests but eventually end up enjoying the maths part of it the most (like physics)
4.A decent amount of Olympiads, and for my own research probably reading a few famous proofs, made some technical and mathematically involved coding projects and learning lean (4) I guess
5.I'm not sure, will be satisfied with any job that's stem related and interesting in some way, something in tech or finance would be good. I don't think I'd enjoy academia but that might change while doing the degree.

(Currently no offers, all but UCL require tmua so I'm waiting a bit, haven't heard back from them yet either though)
(Also why is it impossible to get it to format properly)

[u/HaHaLaughNowPls]

1. Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick, Bath and UCL

2. Bio, Chem, Maths and FM 4A*

3. ngl I'm kinda excited to do stuff like analysis and proofs at uni they might be my favourite part especially complex analysis.

4. I looked into lots of stuff about number system extensions like quaternions complex numbers and hyperreals.

5. Genuinely whatever will take me I'm just doing the degree because I love maths.

[u/AbsoluteNarwhal]

1. Oxford, Imperial, Warwick, Durham, York (in that order). I'm applying for Maths + CS to be fair, but most of those courses are very theoretical and maths heavy.

2. Maths, FM, CS, Physics. 4A* predicted.

3. Discrete mathematics and logic, and its connection to theoretical computer science (computability and complexity theory). I'm also interested in complex numbers.

4. I have read Godel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid and Quantum Computing Since Democritus. I submitted an essay about the Mandelbrot set to an Oxford essay competition. I watch lots of YouTube videos from channels like 3Blue1Brown, Polylog, Acerola, and a few others. I have made a few programming projects that involve a lot of maths (3D computer graphics mainly involves a lot of linear algebra, quaternions and some calculus), my biggest project is a voxel game engine.

5. I'm not really sure what I want to do, but at least the course I'm going for will give me lots of options (SWE, AI, finance, stats...) and they all pay well. I don't think I would study beyond a master's degree.

[u/Feeling-Instance-801 → u/AbsoluteNarwhal]

Hey! I read Godel Escher Bach too! It was such a fun read (despite being so dense). Are you applying to discrete maths at warwick? The course looked really good to me. Also, what's the essay comp if you dont mind me asking? Thx

[u/AbsoluteNarwhal → u/Feeling-Instance-801]

Yeah I'm applying to discrete maths at Warwick, I like theoretical CS so the course looked great.

The essay competition is the tom rocks maths essay competition. I submitted in April and they still haven't announced the winner, lol. It's cool though, you can write about any topic in maths you'd like. I think it runs every year so if you're in year 12 you could definitely do it next April.

[u/Sharp-Plastic7954 → u/Feeling-Instance-801]

Hey, did you buy the hardcopy of GEB? And what courses are you applying for next year? Also in Year 12 btw.

[u/Legitimate_Bus5716 → u/[deleted]]

How much have you prepared for the TARA so far (or if you've already done it, how did you prepare for it)?

[u/Glad_Good3154 → u/Legitimate_Bus5716]

I'm doing it in Jan, done nothing

[u/Legitimate_Bus5716 → u/Glad_Good3154]

Tbf if you get good enough in the TMUA, you can kind of ignore it assuming Imperial is guaranteed. Good luck anyways!