Mathematics
Equally challenging and rewarding, Mathematics offers the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects: everything from abstract logic to black holes.
At a glance
A Level requirements: A*A*A with A* in Mathematics and Further Mathematics
IB requirements: 41-42 points overall with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level including 7 in Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Higher Level
Subject requirements: Mathematics and Further Mathematics (A Level) or Higher Level Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Higher Level (IB). Candidates will also usually be expected to achieve 1, 1 in STEP 2 and STEP 3.
Average students per year: 8-10
Admissions assessment: Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) and Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) 2 and 3
Written work: None
Admissions
Course overview
During the first two years (Parts IA and IB), there are courses on a wide range of mathematics. In the latter part of the second year, there are also some optional courses available. The third year (Part II) is a unified course with subjects available to those intending to pursue further study of maths and also subjects of a more general nature. The intention is to offer each student the opportunity to pick-and-mix, to choose a combination of courses tailored individually to their abilities and aspirations.
For more information about the course and its modules, visit the University website.
Admissions assessment
Candidates for Mathematics must take the TMUA, which is a pre-registration required test. For more information about the test, please see the University website.
Achievement in STEP 2 and STEP 3 normally forms part of a conditional offer to read Mathematics at Cambridge. For more information about these tests, please see the University website.
Interviews
Applicants selected for interview will have two interviews with two interviewers in each. They will be roughly 20-25 minutes in length. These interviews will cover a broad range of mathematical questions on content typically covered in A Level Mathematics or Further Mathematics. The vast majority of your interview time will be spent working through problems with your interviewers. There is no expectation that you will self-study content that you have not covered in school or college, so if you are presented with a question related to content that your school or college has not yet covered, you should let your interviewers know. Some general guidance about problem-solving for Cambridge Maths interviews is available on the STEP Support Programme website.
What we look for in an applicant
We aim to identify students with mathematical potential. This includes having the creativity to make connections between different mathematical ideas and the flexibility to understand new concepts quickly and use them to solve challenging problems. We also look for students who would enjoy working hard and learning mathematics at a university level.
A top tip for applicants
Keep doing interesting maths: attempt problems; come back to them when you get stuck; learn from your solutions and from your mistakes.
Find out more
You can find out more about Maths by visiting the University website and the Faculty of Mathematics website.
King’s also runs Open Days which will give you a taste of studying at King's. We also run the Maths from the Underground Residential for students who attend UK state schools in the summer between Y12 and Y13/S5 and S6/ Y13 and Y14 NI. This three-night residential will elevate your mathematical thinking.
Life as a King's Maths student
In the first year, all students will attend four lecture courses in Michaelmas and Lent, and each course will have four supervisions. For each supervision, students are expected to solve a set of problems (known as example sheets) and hand them in for marking before the supervision. In the supervision, the supervisor will go over the questions with students, discussing their solutions and any alternative solutions. Students will have, on average, two supervisions a week during the term time. The number of supervisions and courses will slightly increase in the future years. At King’s, all first-year undergraduates are supervised by the King’s Fellows, and almost all of the second-year courses are supervised by Fellows from King’s or other Colleges. There are typically eight to ten students in each year.
Maths at King's really fosters a sense of community. Although the subject can be intense at times, it feels much more manageable as you're surrounded by people who share your interests and want to help you out. Beyond academics the maths cohort and King's meets regularly for subject socials, making it easier to get to know people across year groups and academics in an informal setting.
- John, 2nd year
Careers and graduate opportunities
After completing the degree, students enter a variety of professions. About one third of King's students do further work in Mathematics, often taking Part III of the Mathematical Tripos before doing research. Many mathematics undergraduates also go on to work in the finance and IT sectors.
