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Original poster

Which Oxford college for Maths?

29 replies

Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2025 18:02

Inspired by the equivalent Cambridge thread!

We’re going round in circles and I don’t know if we’ve missed any stats that might help with decision making.

DS will be applying to Oxford for Maths. He has always attended state school.

He has 12 A⭐️ at GCSE and 4 A at AS level.

He does like the look of older colleges and would like to be fairly close to the Maths dept - not that any are very far away on a bike. He would prefer a college with a good majority of state educated students and a relatively low number of international students, though neither are dealbreakers. He’s not bothered about there being lots of formals.

Any advice would be very much appreciated

OP posts:
Bertielong3 · 20/09/2025 18:04

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2025 18:13

If he gets a place I don’t think he really will struggle.

He knows that there will be plenty of international and privately educated students but. He also knows that the short terms will be intense so he is keen, as much as is possible, to not feel like he is an outsider in what will already feel like quite an alien environment.

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PIPERHELLO · 20/09/2025 18:17

From what I personally have seen in the media in particular, Cambridge is doing far more in terms of state school / real world outreach.

Oxford - again just in my experience - is still hugely hugely elitist & posh. however, some colleges are doing much more than others, and the colleges are all quite different in terms of social attitude.

I read good things about LMH…

Overtheatlantic · 20/09/2025 18:17

He could try Mansfield and University College.

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2025 18:21

PIPERHELLO · 20/09/2025 18:17

From what I personally have seen in the media in particular, Cambridge is doing far more in terms of state school / real world outreach.

Oxford - again just in my experience - is still hugely hugely elitist & posh. however, some colleges are doing much more than others, and the colleges are all quite different in terms of social attitude.

I read good things about LMH…

Yes, I’ve been reading the same.

DS is set on Oxford due to the timing of the MAT compared to the STEP.

OP posts:
Bertielong3 · 20/09/2025 18:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Overtheatlantic · 20/09/2025 18:22

Maths and physics will admit based on scores and interviews, and the cohort should be a good mix of state and independent. However, maths tends to attract a proportionally higher number of international students.

BlueyDragon · 20/09/2025 18:23

Your college can end up being largely irrelevant to your subject as tutorials can be at any other college, it just depends. Equally given the emphasis on you doing your own work and the tutorial system, closeness to the department itself can be irrelevant. Each college’s accommodation, whilst 3 years live in is now much more the norm, might not actually be in the college itself. So wouldn’t get too hung up on college location. There are some that are much further out but nothing is really that far away by bike.

Each college will publish stats on their state/private entry but the actual culture of the college makes a huge difference too. I know state and private educated people who studied at Oxford, some of whom thrived and some of whom didn’t. I would encourage your DS to look past the classic quads and go and see some colleges and feel what they actually feel like, how welcoming are they, are they the places he wants to be. Term starts soon, you can go in to most colleges if you explain you are looking as a prospective student (although the classic ones may be a bit sniffy as they are the tourist targets).

Most colleges are also aligned to areas of the UK where they target students, so it’s worth looking at which colleges are connected to your part of the country.

BlueyDragon · 20/09/2025 18:34

Also the college you apply to may not end up being the one you are offered, the pool system can mean you end up with an offer from a college to which you didn’t even apply.

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2025 18:40

BlueyDragon · 20/09/2025 18:34

Also the college you apply to may not end up being the one you are offered, the pool system can mean you end up with an offer from a college to which you didn’t even apply.

Yes, he’s aware of that and that the vast majority of successful applicants are happy whichever college they end up in.

For now, he’s keen to find out as much as he can and apply to a college that feels like a good fit for him.

ETA. He visited a fair few at the open day but didn’t get to one that he liked the sound of on paper and they wouldn’t let him in today.

OP posts:
whiteroseredrose · 20/09/2025 18:48

When DS was applying (Physics) we went round about 6 colleges, looked into state:private split etc and ended up thoroughly confused. DS decided on an open application because he wanted to study at Oxford and was less concerned about the specific college. They all had pluses and negatives.

MargaretThursday · 20/09/2025 18:58

Keble - if he can cope with a not totally old one.

It's up the north of the city, so close to maths and science, and have quite a big maths group.

The perception in the media about it being full of private school types who don't mix isn't anyone I've met who went there's (mostly from state schools) experience.

Florencesndzebedee · 20/09/2025 19:06

Wadham

H0ldmybeer · 20/09/2025 19:10

Magdelan

BlueyDragon · 20/09/2025 19:43

Muchtoomuchtodo · 20/09/2025 18:40

Yes, he’s aware of that and that the vast majority of successful applicants are happy whichever college they end up in.

For now, he’s keen to find out as much as he can and apply to a college that feels like a good fit for him.

ETA. He visited a fair few at the open day but didn’t get to one that he liked the sound of on paper and they wouldn’t let him in today.

Edited
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It sounds like he’s got a particular college in mind, understands the possible outcomes and pitfalls, and looking at other colleges hasn’t changed that view. If that’s the case there’s not much point in asking for advice on here, but go with the college that he thinks he wants to go to and take it from there. I wish him all the best, it’s a fantastic place to study regardless of which college you end up in!

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 21/09/2025 08:02

From what he’s said he’s torn between Jesus - which school has links with but he really doesn’t seem to fit their demographic, Trinity and Balliol - this is the one that he didn’t get to see which is a shame.

He’s not keen to apply as an open applicant for reasons that I can’t fathom. It’s a hard line between him thinking that I’m interfering and trying to use the available information to make a good choice. At the end of the day if’s his application, and hopefully him who will be going so the choice has to be his.

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MiniMaxi · 21/09/2025 08:06

A friend did maths at Balliol and loved it, if that helps! I reckon Balliol might fit the brief. Otherwise the not-as-old colleges generally will have a better state/private ratio as generally less trad. Somerville is v handy for Maths dept!

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 21/09/2025 08:13

He has mentioned Somerville as being very handy for the maths dept and it had a very good library apparently!

I think (might be wrong) that the colleges that used to be ladies only had very good libraries as the ladies weren’t allowed to use any of the other libraries. Not sure how that’s changed since they’ve all become mixed.

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Elfandfairy · 21/09/2025 08:16

Ssomerville is a fantastic and has an excellent maths reputation. Balliol would tick the historic box more, and is my second favorite college. Worcester my third. All v subjective.

AlaKart · 21/09/2025 08:19

A young man we knew went to New College and did well. He was especially interested in Maths/Computer studies associated with Gaming and visuals.

Zanatdy · 21/09/2025 19:56

My DD is applying to Worcester College for maths / stats. She has 12 x Grade 9 at GCSE, and predicted 4 A star. Currently preparing for MAT, but is well aware just how hard it is to get a place at Oxford. But, got to be in it to win it. DD went to Manston college for a maths day in August, and they have a large percentage of state school kids. My DD is choosing based on availability of a cookers (very fussy) and not just a kitchenette!

SouthwarkLass · 21/09/2025 20:07

My DS was at St Catherines reading Maths. He loved it. It's not old, its big and mixed, larger than average intake of STEM/Maths/Stats and very relaxed. High in the Norrington Table too. Not near the Maths Dept but not far on a bike.

mateysmum · 21/09/2025 20:29

Have a look at St Anne's. Not old but excellent accommodation and resolutely unposh.

Original poster
Muchtoomuchtodo · 22/09/2025 08:46

user1469447079 · 22/09/2025 08:40

Thanks, we’ve had a good read of that.

What would be really handy is to break that data down another level so that all characteristics are available to look at not just by college but by subject aswell.

I think DS is developing a shortlist, he’s still not quite there yet though!

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