BA/MMath in Mathematics Handbook (2025-26 Entry)
9. Study Skills and Resources
9.1 Study Skills
Much of the advice and training in study skills will come in the regular tutorial and class teaching your college arranges for you. In these sessions, and in preparation for them, you will develop your powers of expression and argument.
A wide range of information and training materials are available to help you develop your academic skills, including time management, research and library skills, referencing, revision skills and academic writing, through the Oxford Students website: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills
9.2 Resources
9.2.1 Books
A complete set of lecture notes should not be viewed as your sole source of information for a course. If you have found the course relatively straightforward then they may prove sufficient, though that is not to say you couldn't benefit from other texts and further reading, but if the course has gone less well then you would certainly be wise to consult other texts from the college library or internet for more examples and other treatments of the material. Access to other mathematical texts and sources will help in clarifying points made in lectures, completing arguments given partially, doing things in different ways, and so on.
Reading lists are issued alongside the lecture synopses and are revised annually. They contain a range of suggestions, including alternatives and suggestions for further reading. It is often advantageous to have your own copy of some books - often you will be able to buy useful texts from your predecessors in college, or through second-hand bookstalls run by MURC.
9.2.2 Libraries
The main source of borrowed books is your college library. College libraries generally purchase the books which appear in the reading lists for every Prelims, Part A and Part B course. In practice, college libraries also provide a good selection of the books listed as 'further reading', and a wider selection of background and alternative reading.
Many college libraries have a number of copies of key books and are usually responsive to requests for new purchases, but they need to be asked.
The other source of books to borrow is the Radcliffe Science Library in Parks Road. This library is associated with the Bodleian and as an undergraduate you are entitled to use it. Your University Card will give you access to any part of the Bodleian Library and any of its dependent libraries.
9.2.3 IT
The University is committed to making available computer facilities sufficient to cover the coursework requirements of undergraduates. Your computing requirements will be supported primarily by departmental and college IT staff.
All students will be automatically allocated a University email account and may register for further services with IT Services. IT Services are located at 13 Banbury Road and offer facilities, training and advice to members of the University in all aspects of academic computing. You can find more information at: https://www.it.ox.ac.uk/
Colleges have PCs (and in some cases Macs), mostly networked, for the use of junior members. Many college students' rooms are wired with ethernet points to enable students to connect their own PCs to the network. There are concerns around computer security and anyone opening an account must agree to abide by the University's rules. At Oxford there is a University disciplinary procedure for enforcing the rules, and breaches of the will involve the Proctors with all the sanctions and penalties available to them.
Some University webpages are NOT available outside the Oxford network. If you are regularly using a computer outside the Oxford network, you need to set up VPN. Instructions on how to do this can be found at: https://help.it.ox.ac.uk/vpn
Undergraduates are not issues with departmental IT accounts, however if you find you have a particular need for departmental IT facilities (for example, to work on the first year Computational Mathematics projects should you not have access to a laptop), you are welcome to apply by contacting academic.administration@maths.ox.ac.uk.
9.2.4 Andrew Wiles Building
The mezzanine teaching floor of the Mathematical Institute, Andrew Wiles Building, contains three lecture theatres (L1-L3), three smaller lecture rooms (L4-L6) and six classrooms (C1-C6).
The area also contains an undergraduate study room with desk space for approximately 40 people, along with sockets for person laptop use. There is WiFi throughout the building.
The mezzanine also hosts a cafe with seating and tables for 100 people, serving drinks, meals and snacks.
Also found on the mezzanine is the work hand-in area for third and fourth-year intercollegiate classes. Your tutors will provide you with instructions on how to submit your work.
The building is accessible to undergraduates during the opening hours of 8am-6pm, although Health and Safety advice will need to be followed. Please check the Mathematical Institute website for the latest guidance on how to use the building.
9.2.5 The Language Centre
The Language Centre provides resources for members of the University who need foreign language skills for their study, research or personal interests, and also to improve English language skills.
More information can be found here: https://www.lang.ox.ac.uk/
Mathematics and Mathematics & Philosophy students may take a language course in any of their second, third or fourth years. This will not count towards your degree classification but you will receive a certificate upon passing a course. The department will cover half of the cost of the course, with you paying the remainder of the course fee. On completion of the course, your college, or possibly the department, will reimburse you for the remainder.
9.2.6 Careers and Employability
Careers guidance is provided by the Careers Service, and at a personal level by college tutors. Careers advisers carry out guidance interviews with students, discussing their skills and aspirations with them. They also provide training in writing applications, interview technique and analysis of transferable skills. The Careers Service provides information about occupations and employers, and advertises work experience opportunities.
Members of the Faculty who have taught you are usually willing to provide support and references. The Careers Service provides a link person, who has expertise in areas where mathematicians are often in demand, for example in finance careers. College tutors are regularly updated on Careers Service activities.
In addition to its general programme, the Careers Service runs an annual 'Jobs for Mathematicians' half-day, in collaboration with the Mathematical Institute. At this event, there are talks from alumni currently working in jobs suitable for mathematicians. The event also helps students consider their transferable skills. You can find more information at: https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/
A significant proportion of students continue onto further study after completing their undergraduate degree. A talk on postgraduate study is included in the annual 'Jobs for Mathematicians' event and further information about postgraduate study opportunities at the Mathematical Institute can be found at: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study