Formal Admissions Criteria

This text has been adapted from the official admissions criteria for the Admissions Group for Mathematical Sciences by removing references to honour schools other than those listed. The principles outlined are explored in more detail on these admissions pages, but it is included here for completeness.

The following Honour Schools (all three or four year) fall within the aegis of the Admissions Group for Mathematical Sciences:

• * Computer Science
• * Mathematics and Computer Science
• * Computer Science and Philosophy

and the criteria will be measured with full regard to their differing requirements.

Candidates will be invited to take the Admissions Test and to come for Interview in Oxford (or just to take the Admissions Test if living outside Europe*) if their application gives evidence of the motivation and ability (including an appropriate mathematical background) to undertake what are demanding courses at one of the world's leading universities, sufficient to offer the possibility of final selection given the overall field of applicants. In the case of candidates whose first language is not English, an English language qualification (such as IELTS level 7) will form part of the admissions requirements. See https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/ELR for details

(* Some candidates may live in parts of the world where the Admissions Office arranges interviews; sometimes colleges may arrange for candidates to be interviewed in their home countries or via Skype.)

During the selection process, tutors will seek a demonstration of the skills and/or the aptitude necessary for the successful study of the course in question together with the motivation to undertake a demanding programme on that course, and will assess these via

1. the Admissions Test,
2. interviews (when held),

taking into account the level of relevant existing knowledge and experience.

Tutors will, in addition to assessing aptitude and technical skills, seek in successful candidates

1. a capacity to absorb and use new ideas,
2. the ability to think and work independently, and
3. perseverance and enthusiasm,

in each case to be assessed in respect of the course applied for.

Evidence of the extent to which these criteria have been met will be taken from the performance in (1) and (2) above, together with

1. past examination records, and
2. references and the personal statements contained on the UCAS form.

Candidates will also have the opportunity to present any special factors that they wish to be considered.

Candidates invited to interview will be interviewed by at least two colleges. An overall assessment of the strength of each candidate relative to the field of all applicants at this stage will be made on the basis of the criteria detailed above. Ultimate selection is necessarily competitive since the number of places is limited. However, through early identification during the interview process of strong candidates who may not gain places at their first or second choice colleges, the Mathematical Sciences Admissions Group takes active steps to ensure that (whenever possible) such candidates may be offered places at other colleges.