BA/MMath in Mathematics Handbook (2025-26 Entry)
1. Introduction
1.1 Using this Handbook
The handbook supplements the material in the Examination Regulations, and provides you with information to help you understand the processes and procedures of the Mathematical Institute. It gives you advice on teaching and learning matters, and guidance on examinations and assessments. You are supplied with the handbook at the beginning of your course.
The handbook also gives you some information about how colleges work in relation to your Mathematics course. Your college tutors will give you more detailed information about the support provided within the tutorial system. Further information is also available in the form of college handbooks on college websites.
This is primarily the course handbook for the single subject Mathematics courses. Much of what is said is also relevant to the Mathematics parts of the joint courses (Mathematics & Computer Science, Mathematics & Philosophy and Mathematics & Statistics). However, students on the joint courses should also consult the handbooks designed specifically for those courses. See appendix C for details of where to find these.
1.2 Other Important Documents
Examination Regulations - https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/
These govern all academic matters within the University and contain the general regulations for the conduct of University examinations, as well as specific regulations for each degree programme offered by the University.
If any information in the Examination Regulations affecting you is changed you will be informed. However, there is a convention that the syllabus cannot be changed to your disadvantage once you have started studying for the examination concerned, provided you take your examinations at the normal times.
Oxford Student Handbook - https://www.proctors.ox.ac.uk/handbook/
This contains general information and guidance about studying at the University of Oxford, and gives you formal notification and explanation of the University’s codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
Oxford Student website - https://www.ox.ac.uk/students
This website provides access to a wide range of services and resources to support you during your studies.
Synopses of Lecture Courses - https://courses.maths.ox.ac.uk/
At the start of each year the Mathematics Department produces the syllabi for the coming year’s examinations and synopses of lecture courses. The syllabi concisely described the content on which individual examinations may be set; the synopses give the intended content of lecture courses but lecturers may include extra details and it may be that some lecture courses have their material spread over different exam syllabi. Included with the course synopsis is the course reading list. For Prelims, a formal syllabus giving the examinable content is published. For Parts A and B the syllabi are defined by the synopses. A separate guide is produced annually for the third year project options and is available online at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/part-b-students/projects/essays.
Computational Mathematics Manual - https://courses.maths.ox.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=5471
This guide contains information about the content and assessment of the first-year Computational Mathematics course.
Lecture Timetable - https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/lecture-lists
This document gives the titles and frequency of lectures for Mathematics courses. For 2025-26, lectures will be in person, lived streamed and recorded.
1.3 Useful Contacts
A list of useful contacts is given in appendix F.
General
Please contact the Undergraduate Studies Officer with any comments or suggestions for amendments or improvements in subsequent editions of this handbook: academic.administrator@maths.ox.ac.uk.
If you require this handbook in a different format, please contact the Undergraduate Studies Officer in the Mathematical Institute: academic.administrator@maths.ox.ac.uk.