Typical offers and requirements
A Level: A*A*A + STEP
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level + STEP
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements and International qualifications.
All Colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics*, A Level Further Mathematics (A Level students only), STEP
Some Colleges Require: A Level/IB Higher Level in a science subject; A Level/IB Higher Level Physics (for Mathematics with Physics only)
The STEP grades required as part of an offer vary by College – see individual College websites for details – but are usually at least grade 1 in two STEP papers.
Students applying to study Mathematics with Physics must have taken A Level Further Mathematics (including the section on Mechanics) or have taken A Level Physics in addition to Mathematics and Further Mathematics.
Mathematics: Subject Requirements and Typical Offer by College
Mathematics with Physics: Subject Requirements and Typical Offer by College
All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries about College-specific requirements.
See Entrance requirements and The Subject Matters for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.
* IB applicants are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for any course where Mathematics is a requirement. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
A Levels
Depending on individual circumstances, some Colleges1 may make an A Level applicant an offer which will be met if they achieve either A*A*A with at least grade 1 in both of STEP papers 2 and 3 OR A*A*A* with at least grade 1 in either STEP paper 2 or 3 (both papers to be taken).
Applicants to the Mathematics course who take A Level Mathematics in Year 12, and A Level Further Mathematics and one other A Level subject in Year 13 won't usually need to take another A Level in Year 13.2 Such students may be required to achieve A* in the two subjects taken in Year 13 (even if they achieve A* in Mathematics), and should be enhancing their subject knowledge through wider engagement beyond their A Levels. Contact a College admissions office for further advice.
1 Downing, Emmanuel, Fitzwilliam, Girton, Jesus, King’s, Lucy Cavendish, Newnham, Sidney Sussex, Trinity Hall.
2 However, students should consider potential implication this may have for their other university options.
Admission assessment
For 2021 entry, some Colleges may require applicants for Mathematics to take a written assessment at interview, if interviewed. See individual College websites for details.
Assessment format
- There is no common format written assessment for Mathematics (except for applicants who are interviewed overseas). Colleges will assess aptitude, knowledge base and potential through short tasks at the time of interview.
- All applicants made an offer will be required to sit STEP in June 2021.
You do not need to register or be registered in advance for the assessment at interview – Colleges will provide details of arrangements in their letters inviting applicants to interview.
For Mathematics candidates interviewed overseas, a written Maths assessment will be administered by the overseas interviewing team which will then be made available to the Cambridge College along with the overseas interview report.
Please note that your performance in the assessment at interview will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.
Submitted work
Applicants are not typically asked to submit examples of written work. Some may be asked by their College to do some reading in advance of their interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in the letter inviting the student to interview.
