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Mathematics

Mathematics at Cambridge is both challenging and flexible, providing an unparalleled opportunity to develop your mathematical intuition and reasoning
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The Cambridge Mathematics course offers flexibility and choice. In the first year, you are introduced to the fundamentals of higher mathematics. There is an option to take Mathematics with Physics, which includes the first-year Natural Sciences Physics course in place of some maths modules. In subsequent years, you choose from a vast range of topics, including optional computational projects, where numerical or algebraic techniques are used to investigate mathematical problems. The 4-year course qualifies you for both the BA and MMath degrees. It is also possible to graduate after three years with only the BA degree. More details about the course can be found on the .

Mathematics at Murray Edwards

Murray Edwards provides a community with the shared experience of being a female mathematician at Cambridge. We understand the challenges that come with being a minority in one of the most demanding mathematics degrees in the world, and we build an environment where you can feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your ideas. We typically admit 4–6 undergraduates per year, so you will join a strong and vibrant group of mathematicians in the College, as well as being part of the wider Cambridge Mathematics cohort.

Typical offer

A Level: A*A*A 

IB: 42 (776) 

STEP: Grade 1 in both Papers 2 and 3

Required subjects

A Level: A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics

IB: HL Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches)

Admissions assessment

No admissions assessment is required.

Written work

Applicants are not required to submit written work.

What the students say

Asiya Ramjan
Student in a pink hijab smiling at college formal

Maths is a really creative subject, built around problem solving and learning concepts in detail so you can apply them in interesting and unexpected ways. The degree can get intense at times, but I love studying it here, especially at Murray Edwards. It is quite a male-dominated course, so I love coming back to a women’s space and being surrounded by amazing and like-minded women.

The college prioritises building a strong bond between all maths students, and our Directors of Studies and fellows, through weekly maths socials. It’s a wonderful way to foster connection between all the year groups, and everyone is really friendly and always willing to help. 

Medwards is a really warm and cosy college that prioritises welfare, and it makes a big difference in my day-to-day life. Whether it's yoga, arts and crafts, flower arranging events led by the college gardeners or puppy therapy, there is always so much to keep spirits high, and take a break when you need it!

Outside of my degree, I play netball, am president of the Murray Edwards Maths society, and just finished my year of being Socials Officer for Cambridge University Islamic society. I also like to spend time socialising, going on walks, enjoying the beautiful gardens at Medwards, and having tea with friends!

Since coming here, Medwards has always felt like home to me. I had a lot of worries about studying Maths at Cambridge, but Murray Edwards has made the experience amazing. It is a community of ambitious, like-minded women, who are given the support to excel and thrive in a truly empowering female-led academic institution. 

Alice Cleaver
Alice Cleaver

The Cambridge Maths tripos is a really exciting course to study. Even in first year you learn brand new methods, prove results in ways which during A levels seemed impossible and explore the very fundamentals of numbers, operations and symmetries. In my (completely unbiased!) opinion, Maths at Murray Edwards is particularly great as there is a really strong sense of community. The fellows are all lovely and encourage cross-year integration through weekly maths society meetings where people give talks about an interesting maths topic. Maths at Cambridge can be difficult and the workload intense but having such a good community of mathmos in years above who can help along with incredibly supportive fellows, makes doing the course really rewarding.

Other than maths, I took up rowing in Michaelmas and competed in Lent bumps. This was so much fun and a great way to take a break from work. Another way my friends and I like to relieve stress is to belt out songs from musicals using one of the pianos in college which are free to play.

Medwards is also really close to the Maths Department where we have a lot of supervisions and there is good (and most importantly cheap) coffee!

Meet our academics