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Advice for Applicants

Applicants are assessed on their demonstrated capacity or potential to succeed on the Mathematics programme to which they have applied. As candidates will have a wide variety of qualifications and experience on application, the following examples are for illustrative purposes and are not intended as a prescriptive list. We can only assess your application on the basis of what you (and your referees) tell us. We pay more attention to actions and outcomes than to general assertions such as "I have an intuitive grasp of Mathematics", although we understand that you will use phrases like this if only to make your application read well.

The information below should give you a clearer idea of the things we are looking for.

  • GCSE results: We will score your 8 best GCSE results. This will contribute to your overall score but in a relatively minor way. If you have taken fewer than 8 GCSEs, we will calculate a substitute score.

  • Achieved or predicted A level results: We will score your best 3 A level results (either achieved or predicted). Credit for more than 3 A levels and for choice of preferred subjects will be given elsewhere.

  • Personal Statement: This will be assessed against 5 criteria. These are Exposure to Further Mathematics; Overall subject choice, including STEP papers; Excellent performance in year 12 (and year 13 for later applicants); Mathematical activity beyond the classroom; and Other factors, including music, sporting activity, student representation etc. Some of these are expanded below.

  • Further Mathematics A or AS level: We know that Further Maths is not available to students in all schools and colleges, but we do regard it as the strongest supporting subject. We would urge prospective applicants to study Further Mathematics to the highest level available to them. If Further Maths AS or A level is not available in your school or college, or if it is taught in a restricted manner (for example in less time than is normally allocated to an A level subject), please make this clear in your application. If your school does not offer Further Mathematics, you might consider contacting the Further Maths Network. We give credit to applicants who are teaching themselves modules that are not delivered by their school or college, but ask that this is confirmed by the referee. In recent years, 90% of successful applicants offered Further Mathematics to A2 level.

  • STEP and AEA: Studying these papers helps you build and strengthen the analytic skills you will need when studying for a Mathematics degree. We have a marginal preference for STEP as it covers a wider range of topics, is available at different levels and has accessible support materials, but AEA is valued too. We do not make STEP a compulsory part of our offers. However we are moving from advice to take STEP to active encouragement to taking it by making a second alternative offer with slightly lower grades for applicants taking (and succeeding in!) STEP exams.

  • Attendance at enrichment and extension activities: This could include courses and activities organised by bodies such as NAGTY (National Association for Gifted and Talented Youth), by the Mathematical Association or Association of Teachers of Mathematics, by a Local Education Authority or by a local Further Maths Centre, etc. This would demonstrate your interest in the subject and your ability to learn through a more independent "self study" approach.

  • Excellence: Please let us know of any outstanding results (AS modules >90 or A1 in Scottish Highers) that you have achieved.
  • Participation and success in mathematical competitions: There are many of these. The best known are probably the UK Mathematics Challenge and the British Mathematical Olympiad although there are many others, local, national and international. The more recent the participation and the greater the success attained, the more weight it carries. Competition questions can extend your mathematical understanding and sharpen your skills, so taking part is worthwhile for its own sake.

  • Evidence of excellence in other areas: The skills and attitudes that produce excellence in one area can be indicators of the potential to excel in others. Please mention any achievement (for example in sport, music or community service) that you think relevant, but also try to tell us why you think it strengthens your application.

  • Making the most of the opportunities available to you, and seeking further opportunities: For example, if your school offers Further Maths we would expect you to take it (or have a very good reason for not doing so). We do consider applicants who regret not having taken Further Maths in year 12, but only if they have taken corrective action (by for example taking up AS Further Maths in year 13, or by studying extra modules or STEP papers). Conversely, a student whose school or college did not offer Further Mathematics, but who taught themselves elements of the subject through supported self-study would be given credit. Mathematics at university is a demanding subject, and evidence that you are able to persevere and solve problems on your own initiative is welcomed.


There are some other things to remember when writing your application:

You are applying for a Mathematics degree. There should therefore be substantial references to your mathematical ability in your application. Hopefully, this will be more than simply restating your courses and qualifications. Tell us what you find exciting about mathematics and how you are pursuing your interests.

Don't be too modest. We will be making offers to candidates that we regard as excellent on the basis of their applications. You must tell us of the things that make you stand out from the crowd. If you have restricted access to subjects (for example, your school may offer Further Maths in fewer lessons than other A levels), say so.

Be specific and detailed. "My C2 score was 99" will get more attention than "I had good marks in C2". Just naming a particular book you have read is less likely to impress than explaining why you enjoyed it or commenting briefly on its content.

We are happy to consider other achievements. These could include the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, sporting achievements, musical talents or almost anything else. When you refer to such matters, try to tell us how it makes you more suited to University life in general or a Mathematics degree in particular.

You need to prioritise. Tell us about your strongest features first. You only have one chance to make a first impression.

Remember that you are in a competitive situation. Meeting our entry requirement is necessary, but you may need to do more to secure an offer. We have a limited number of places on our courses, and for this reason each year there are students of excellent quality who do not receive offers. Be positive and upbeat throughout your application.



The above advice sets out what we are looking for at the University of Bristol. We insist only on A level Maths, and look at all other aspects of your application. Obtaining an offer from Bristol is difficult and very competitive. Once we have decided that you are one of our stronger applicants, the offer we make you will be straightforward (compared with some of the other offers you may receive) but we would expect your results to meet that offer. The above advice should give you a clear idea of what like to see in the applications we receive.

The above seems to suggests that all successful applicants to Bristol have “4 or more A levels, including Further Maths and other Sciences plus STEP plus UKMC invitation round experience”. Many do, and we congratulate these students on their superb acheivements. However, not all do. We take care to ensure that applicants whose educational background does not allow them to match this profile have a route into Bristol and it would be a rare and exceptional applicant who could boast of all the attributes listed above. We seek excellent potential wherever we can find it, and we are willing to accept a wide range of evidence of such potential.

Other institutions may have different priorities. Make sure that you also investigate your other choices, so that your application gives you the best opportunity of securing your degree course of choice.