BA/MMath in Mathematics Handbook (2025-26 Entry)
10. Undergraduate Representation and Societies
10.1 Feedback
There is plenty of opportunity, both formal and informal, for you to comment on the mathematics course. The informal ways are through the members of the Faculty who teach you in classes, lectures and tutorials, and also through your personal tutors in college. Feedback is formally sought through surveys conducted by the Mathematical Institute and the University, and also the National Student Survey. All input from undergraduates about the course content, structure and facilities generally is welcomed by the department and taken seriously.
Questionnaires on classes and lectures are distributed termly. All questionnaires can be completed online.
Once the termly questionnaire results are processed, each course lecturer receives the comments and statistical analysis from their own course and in addition consolidated information is made available to relevant committees for discussion, and where necessary, action. One of the key committees to consider this information is the Joint Consultative Committee for Undergraduates (JCCU). The statistical feedback from the questionnaires is sent to a designated undergraduate member of the Mathematics Undergraduate Representation Committee (MURC Questionnaire Representative) for consideration by MURC and a report brought to JCCU. Any action taken as a result of questionnaire comments is made known to your MURC representative through JCCU.
Students on full-time and part-time matriculated courses are surveyed once per year on all aspects of their course (learning, living, pastoral support, college) through the Student Barometer. Previous results can be viewed by students, staff and the general public at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/student-engagement.
Final year undergraduates are surveyed instead through the National Student Survey. Results from previous NSS can be found at https://discoveruni.gov.uk/
The results of both of these surveys are discussed by the Teaching Committee and appropriate action agreed as necessary.
10.1.1 MURC
The Mathematics Undergraduate Representation Committee (MURC) is composed of students who represent the interests of Mathematics and joint school students. It consists of an elected representative from each college. It holds regular meetings to discuss issues connected with academic organisation of the course such as lectures, examinations and syllabus content. It is the forum which allows undergraduates, through their representatives, to raise issues connected with their courses. It is important for colleges to have a representative to the committee. The views of this committee are channelled to the faculties and departments through the Joint Consultative Committee with Undergraduates
Further information on MURC can be found on the MURC webpage: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/undergraduate-representation/murc
10.1.2 JCCU
The Joint Consultative Committee with Undergraduates (JCCU) meets regularly once a term and discusses any matters that the MURC representatives wish to raise; in addition, it considers matters relating to the synopses and proposed changes of syllabus, and as mentioned above the statistical feedback from questionnaires.
The membership of the JCCU consists of fourteen members of MURC appointed by MURC and representatives of the Department of Mathematics and of Statistics. The committee is usually chaired by an academic and the Secretary is a member of the Academic Administration team. This committee is available for consultation by the departments and by the divisional board on any matter which relates to the undergraduate courses. Minutes of the JCCU meetings taken by your student representatives, reports and feedback on student requests can also be found at: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/undergraduate-representation/jccu.
The MURC President may also attend meetings of the Mathematics Teaching Committee.
10.1.3 UJCF
The MPLS Division runs a divisional Undergraduate Joint Consultative Forum which is chaired by the senior MPLS Academic who is responsible for that area across the division. An undergraduate representative from each department within MPLS Division attends the forum. In addition, an undergraduate representative attends the meetings of the Divisional Board and the MPLS Academic Committee. Student representatives sitting on the Divisional Board are selected through a process organised by the Oxford Student Union. Details can be found on the Oxford SU website along with information about student representation at the University level: https://www.oxfordsu.org.
10.2 Student Societies
There are a number of Mathematics student societies which you may like to join. Details of the main societies are given below. In addition there are over 200 clubs and societies covering a wide range of interests which you may join or attend. A full list is available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs/list
10.2.1 Invariants Society
The Oxford University Invariant Society is the undergraduate mathematical society. Its primary aim is to host weekly talks by notable speakers, on a wide variety of mathematical subjects. The Invariants also host social events, a Christmas party, and an annual formal dinner. Titles of talks previously given include: Mathematics, Magic and Electric Guitars; Juggling: theory and practice; Bells and Change Ringing. There are opportunities for members to give their own talks. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 8pm in the Mathematical Institute. Anyone interested should come to the first meeting (for free) to find out more. More details are available at: https://invariants.org.uk/.
10.2.2 Mirzakhani Society
The Mirzakhani Society is a society aimed at supporting women in Oxford who are studying maths. Their main event is 'Sip and Solve' which happens once a week, tea and cake are provided, and women are encouraged to come along to do problem sheets. More details are available at: https://www.mirzakhanisociety.org.uk/
10.2.3 LGBTI^3
For general enquiries, please contact: oxlgbtqubed@gmail.com