Mathematics is an exciting and demanding subject. It is represented at Sidney by enthusiastic and supportive academics specialising across a broad range of areas.

Important Note Concerning Interviews for 2023

Please note, all undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2023-24 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.

The Allen Society is the mathematics society at Sidney Sussex that brings together the undergraduates, postgraduates, and Fellows of the College. The society organises social events and each year invites one or two distinguished speakers to give a popular mathematics talk

The society is named after Sir Roy Allen, CBE, FBA (1906 - 1983), who studied mathematics at Sidney Sussex and was later a Fellow. Allen was awarded a Wrangler scholarship for coming top of his year in the Mathematics Tripos. He went on to be a leading economist and statistician, and spent much of his career as Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics. He was also President of the Royal Statistical Society.

Undergraduate Study

The Cambridge Mathematics course is often considered to be the most demanding undergraduate Mathematics course available in Britain and, correspondingly, one of the most rewarding.  As well as the straight Mathematics course, it is possible to apply to study Mathematics with Physics. Applicants for Mathematics and Mathematics with Physics are considered together.

The Mathematical Tripos is a demanding course, but students at Sidney receive a lot of support from the Directors of Studies. The Directors of Studies oversee students' progress and guide them throughout the academic year. A major part of their role is to arrange supervisions, and Sidney Sussex is lucky to have academic staff covering a broad range of topics taught in the first and second years of the Mathematics Tripos, which means that most supervisions can be taught 'in house'.

The Directors of Studies also arrange both individual and group meetings with students on a regular basis, advise on subject choices and course work, organise informal progress tests and mock exams, and help with revision for the end of year exams.

Mathematics at Sidney is taught in a supportive atmosphere where students are expected to take charge of their own education from the moment they arrive.

Sidney Sussex is among the smaller colleges, and normally admits between 6 and 8 mathematics students each year, resulting in a close-knit group of students who quickly get to know each other. 

Written work

We will not ask you to submit any written work as part of your application.

Admissions assessments

No admissions assessments. Please note that STEP (Sixth Term Examination Papers) will be used as the basis for conditional offers. You can read more about STEP on the Admissions Testing Service website.

Interviews
  • All undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2023-24 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.
  • Two interviews; both will have a focus on Mathematics and involve working through some mathematical problems.
Subject requirements
  • Learn about our standard entry requirements for Mathematics on the University website.
  • Depending on individual circumstances, Sidney Sussex may make an A-level applicant an offer which will be met if they achieve either A*A*A with at least grade 1 in STEP II and III or A*A*A* with at least grade 1 in one of STEP II and III. While every Cambridge College is able to vary individual offers according to particular circumstances, the flexible offer for Mathematics set at Cambridge is specifically designed to encourage applications from UK applicants who are currently under-represented at Cambridge.
  • Please note that offers are set on an individual basis using all of the information available to us in context of the entire field of applicants.
Beyond the syllabus

Are you excited to learn more about the subject by delving beyond the school syllabus? Explore our Beyond the syllabus resource hub to discover interesting websites, podcasts, videos, and books related to the subject you love!

Typical intake

6 - 8

Typical A-level offer

A*A*A at A Level

Typical IB offer

41-42 points overall, with 776 at Higher Level

Typical STEP offer

1,1 in STEP II, III

Postgraduate Study

Sidney Sussex admits students in all mathematics and mathematics-related postgraduate programmes offered by the University of Cambridge. Prospective applicants can find more information about individual programmes on the Postgraduate Course Directory

At the University of Cambridge applications for postgraduate study are processed centrally by the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The application form and supporting documents are submitted electronically via their website and the online self-service system, though academic decisions on applications are made by the Faculty or Department.

Funding

There are many funding opportunities at Cambridge from a wide variety of sources including the Cambridge Trust, Gates Cambridge, Colleges, Departments, Research Councils and central University funds. You can use the Postgraduate Admissions' Cambridge Funding Search to find out which type of funding you might be eligible for, and how and when to apply. They also operate a Postgraduate Funding Competition to co-ordinate some of these funding opportunities and make the process easier for you as an applicant.

To find information about the funds available for postgraduate students at Sidney, visit our Studentships and funding page.

Useful links

Course directory | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Funding | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

How do I apply? | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

International students | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Opportunities to work, travel, and study

The College is able to offer financial support for a number of student pursuits including:

  • Professional and research internships
  • Study awards
  • Vacation travel
  • Arts and music
  • Sport

While it will not be possible to provide support in all cases, current students are strongly encouraged to apply if they have a project which would benefit from financial support.

Discover more on our Opportunities to work, travel, and study page.