Applying for maths at university: personal statement and interviews
Free help for students applying for maths (and joint maths degrees) through UCAS: how to answer the three personal statement questions, what to read and do beyond your course, and how to prepare for a maths interview with 12 original practice problems. For A Level, IB and other students alike.
Start with the personal statementThe application, step by step
- Explore maths beyond your course. Read, solve problems, enter competitions: super-curricular ideas and competition maths.
- Write your personal statement. Three questions, 4,000 characters: the guide and the checklist.
- Take any admissions test. Some universities ask for the TMUA (Imperial requires it of all maths applicants for 2027 entry: Imperial: Mathematics BSc ). Oxford sets an admissions test for maths; check which test applies for your entry year on Oxford's maths admissions page . Cambridge colleges usually require at least grade 1 in STEP 2 or STEP 3 (Cambridge: Mathematics ; free STEP Support Programme ).
- Prepare for interview. If a university interviews: what to expect and practice problems.
Guides
- Personal statement guideThe UCAS three questions for maths, what to put in each, show-don't-tell patterns.
- Personal statement checklistTick through it before you submit.
- Super-curricularsBooks, free resources and activities, each with something to try.
- InterviewsWhat happens, how to think aloud, what to do when stuck.
- 12 interview problemsOriginal problems with two hints and full solutions.
Your words, not ours
We give guidance, patterns and checklists. We never write personal statements, and nothing on this site will write one for you: universities want to hear from you, and the statement must be your own work.
FAQ
What do I need to apply for maths at university?
A UCAS application with a personal statement and a reference, your predicted or achieved grades, and for some universities an admissions test (such as the TMUA, MAT or STEP) and an interview. Requirements differ, so check each course page.
Is the personal statement important for maths?
It is one part of the application. For maths it is your chance to show interest in the subject beyond your course, with specific evidence, and some interviewers ask about it.
Will you write or check my personal statement?
We do not write statements. The guide, the checklist and the examples of weak and stronger patterns help you improve your own draft.
Do I need Further Maths to apply for maths?
Entry requirements differ between universities and courses, and some ask for Further Maths, so check the entry requirements on each course page.
A Level Math Revision is independent: it is not affiliated with or endorsed by UCAS or any university. Facts about UCAS and universities are summarised in our own words with links: always check the official page. We give guidance only and never write statements for students.