Is it easier to get into Oxford or Cambridge for maths?

It's incredibly difficult to get into either Oxford or Cambridge for Maths, but Cambridge is often considered slightly harder due to requiring the challenging STEP exam (for most offers) on top of its rigorous interviews and admissions tests ({MAT for Oxford, STEP for Cambridge), with some sources suggesting higher offer rates for Cambridge but a tougher final hurdle with STEP. Oxford's focus is often on demonstrating deep understanding in interviews, while Cambridge heavily tests problem-solving in its own exams.

Is Cambridge better for maths?

Cambridge mathematicians are among the most sought- after mathematics graduates in the UK, and go on to high- level jobs in many diverse and very fulfilling careers. Cambridge has enjoyed a reputation for excellence in Mathematics since the time of Isaac Newton, over 300 years ago.

Which university is best for Mathematics?

The best universities for mathematics consistently include US powerhouses like MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, UChicago, and UCLA, alongside UK leaders like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London, with rankings varying slightly by source but highlighting strong research, faculty, and global reputation in both pure and applied math. Other top contenders often include ETH Zurich, Carnegie Mellon, and Caltech, depending on the specific focus (e.g., pure vs. applied) or ranking methodology. 

Is Oxford good for Mathematics?

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, the institute submitted jointly with the Department of Statistics, getting the highest placement for mathematical sciences in the UK. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Oxford maintained its top place.

Which Ivy League school is best for Mathematics?

For the best Ivy League math programs, Princeton and Harvard are consistently top-ranked, often considered the strongest within the Ivies, with Princeton frequently cited as #1 for math PhDs and undergrad opportunities due to strong resources, while Harvard boasts world-renowned faculty and research, though other Ivies like Yale, Columbia, and Cornell also offer excellent, highly-regarded mathematics departments.
 

Oxford vs Cambridge for Mathematics | Which Should You Apply For? | Vantage Admissions

Is Oxford or Cambridge maths harder to get into?

Differences Between Oxford and Cambridge Maths

Cambridge has a 6% higher acceptance rate than Oxford for Maths. Oxford ranks better than Cambridge on average, based on the two top-ranking tables in the UK. Cambridge has higher entry requirements than Oxford, including an additional test required after offers are sent.

Which Oxford college is best for maths?

Studying at St John's

Since 1997, nearly 60% of undergraduate mathematicians have got Firsts (comfortably the largest proportion of any Oxford College). Many have been awarded the University prize for the best performance in Mathematics finals or in a joint course, or the runners up prizes.

What's the best college for Mathematics?

• View all 15 photos. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ...
• View all 24 photos. Princeton University. ...
• View all 6 photos. Harvard University. ...
• View all 23 photos. Stanford University. ...
• View all 13 photos. University of California--Berkeley. ...
• View all 17 photos. University of Chicago. ...
• View all 7 photos. ...
• View all 15 photos.

Is it hard for an American to get into Cambridge?

Getting into Cambridge as an American is very difficult, requiring near-perfect academic scores (like five AP 5s, 1500+ SAT/33+ ACT) and exceptional subject-specific achievement, as Cambridge focuses intensely on academic potential rather than extracurriculars, with low acceptance rates for US applicants (around 6-7% in 2024). You must demonstrate deep subject passion through challenging coursework, high test scores, specific admissions tests, and potentially interviews, essentially aiming for top-tier US university standards but with a UK-centric academic focus. 

What is the hardest math course at Cambridge?

Part III of the Mathematical Tripos (officially Master of Mathematics/Master of Advanced Study) is a one-year master's-level taught course in mathematics offered at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Cambridge. It is regarded as the most difficult and intensive mathematics course in the world.

What is the hardest non ivy school to get into?

Stanford University

Stanford is also not an Ivy, but it is still one of the hardest colleges to get into. The Stanford acceptance rate is 4%, tied with Columbia. Stanford is located in the Bay Area of California, about 35 miles south of San Francisco.

Do you need all 9s to get into Oxford?

Yes, your grades will need to really dazzle. GCSEs are seen as evidence of work ethic – and you need a really strong one of those to cope with studying at Oxford or Cambridge. Our guesstimate is that the average successful applicant has around eight 8/9 grade GCSEs under their belt.

Is Cambridge less prestigious than Oxford?

The QS World University Rankings place Cambridge 2nd and Oxford 3rd in 2024. These rankings reflect the strong Oxbridge brand, recognised internationally by academics, employers, and students alike. However, when deciding between the two, it's helpful to consider rankings by subject and specific academic departments.

What is the easiest degree to get at Cambridge?

Once again, the top ten courses for offer rate and acceptance rate are relatively consistent; Modern and Medieval Languages (MML) is by far and away the 'easiest' course to get into at the University of Cambridge, with a whopping 61% of applicants receiving an offer, and 50.4% eventually being accepted onto the course.

What UK university has the best math program?

Best UK Universities For Maths – 7 Top Ranked Options

• University of Cambridge.
• University of Oxford.
• University of Manchester.
• University of St. Andrews.
• Imperial College London.
• University of Warwick.
• Durham University.
• Wrapping it up.

What famous mathematicians went to Oxford?

6 Great Mathematicians of Oxford

• Godfrey Harold Hardy (1877 - 1947) “I was at my best a little past forty, when I was a professor at Oxford.” - ...
• Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) ...
• John Wallis (1616 - 1703) ...
• Edmond Halley. ...
• Baden Powell (1786 - 1860) ...
• Thomas Harriot (1560 - 1621)

What is the hardest subject to get into at Oxford?

A sample of the most difficult courses to get into includes Economics and Management with an acceptance rate of 7%; Computer Science with an acceptance rate of around 9%; Medicine where only 11% of applicants ultimately get a place; History and Politics also has an acceptance rate of 11%; and Law with Law studies in ...

Which university is the best in Mathematics?

Here are the best global universities for mathematics

• University of Oxford.
• Universite Paris Cite.
• Harvard University.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• University of California Berkeley.
• Sorbonne Universite.
• ETH Zurich.
• Mansoura University.

Which institute is best for Mathematics?

There's no single "best," but top-ranked institutes for mathematics consistently include MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Cambridge/Oxford, known for exceptional research, faculty, and program breadth, with MIT often leading global rankings. The best choice depends on your focus (pure vs. applied) and location, but these universities offer unparalleled depth in various mathematical fields and strong graduate placements. 

Which one is easier to get into, Cambridge or Oxford?

The Cambridge vs Oxford question doesn't have a simple answer. Oxford tends to be slightly tougher on acceptance rates, while Cambridge entry requirements are often a touch higher. Both universities set the bar with challenging admissions tests and interview questions, so preparation matters as much as grades.

Did Bill Gates go to Math 55?

Yes, Bill Gates took Harvard's notoriously difficult freshman math course, Math 55, and successfully completed it alongside graduate-level computer science classes before dropping out to found Microsoft. Math 55, officially titled "Honors Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra," condenses years of math into one year, covering topics like abstract algebra and real/complex analysis, and is known for challenging even gifted students, though Gates wasn't always at the very top.
 

What university has the hardest math program?

Description. In the past, Harvard University's Department of Mathematics had described Math 55 as "probably the most difficult undergraduate math class in the country."

Who is the top 1 mathematician in the world?

There's no single "number one" mathematician, as greatness is subjective, but Terence Tao is widely considered the greatest living mathematician, often called the "Mozart of Math," known for work in harmonic analysis, PDEs, and combinatorics, winning the Fields Medal. For all-time greats, Carl Friedrich Gauss, Leonhard Euler, and Isaac Newton are consistently ranked among the top, alongside figures like Maryam Mirzakhani (first female Fields Medalist) and Indian genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.