Girton has a history of producing impressive mathematicians.

Why choose Mathematics at Girton?

Although Girton is a relatively young college (having celebrated only its 150th anniversary in 2019!), it has produced some impressive mathematicians. Dame Mary Cartwright was the longest-serving Mistress and an eminent mathematician, whose achievements included the foundations of chaos theory. Her portrait near the front of the dining hall is an inspiration for current students. She was one of a trio of distinguished Girton mathematicians whose lives spanned most of the twentieth century, the other two being Lady Jeffreys, well-known for “Methods of Mathematical Physics” which she wrote with her husband, and Olga Taussky-Todd, who went on to become the first female professor at Caltech.

Current Girton mathematicians form a close and supportive group. The size of the group (not too large, not too small) means that the students and Fellows get to know each other well, and the ethos is not of competitiveness but of each student reaching his or her potential. Students come from all backgrounds, all types of school and many different countries (from Eastern Europe to South-East Asia) and friendships are forged which last a lifetime (one group from the 1980s still go on holiday together!). The Cartwright Mathematics Society (named for Dame Mary) was founded just a few years ago and is run entirely by the undergraduates; it arranges events such as talks, visits to other colleges and revision sessions, and helps foster the sense of community.

Undergraduate Mathematics

• No. of students admitted per year: 10
• Entry requirements: All entry requirements are A-Level standard or equivalent, unless otherwise stated. Mathematics and Further Mathematics are essential, Physics is useful.
• Typical offer: A*A*A with two grades 1 in STEP (A*A* usually in Maths and Further Maths). Depending on individual circumstances, we 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 STEP papers, or A*A*A* with at least grade 1 in one of the two STEP papers (both of which must be taken). 
• Assessment arrangements: There is no written assessment for this subject at Girton College.
• Interview arrangements: Two interviews, during which applicants are given a number of problems to attempt.

Mathematics undergraduate information

The Headquarters of Cambridge mathematics, the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, is a modern purpose-built complex, with a full range of facilities. From the third year on, lectures are held there, plus many supervisions at all levels. The Central Core houses the Maths Cafe – the room is usually buzzing with activity as the students drink coffee, discuss mathematics and work at the tables. It is a popular meeting place for students and staff alike. The Maths faculty is top-rated in the country and it is very exciting for the students to be part of an extremely talented group and to be taught by some of the world’s leading researchers. The Mathematical Sciences Library is an interesting circular building on the same site, and it is complemented by the Girton library which has an excellent selection of maths books, covering all undergraduate courses.

Mathematics postgraduate information

Girton usually has a large number of students arriving with degrees from elsewhere, to study Maths Part III for the MASt degree, or the MSc in Computational Biology. They are part of the large and lively graduate community in Girton, which has research seminars and dinners together, as well as other social events. There are also a number of Girtonians doing PhDs in mathematics, forming a truly international community, currently from Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Iran, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia and the UK, working on topics ranging from combinatorics to fluid mechanics to high energy physics!

Research and postgraduate students are admitted to the University by the Board of Graduate Studies. They must therefore apply centrally and not to the College. However, they must be admitted to a College to be able to study at the University; there is space on the application form to allow students to choose which College they wish to join.

Career destinations

Gone are the days when the only career path for most Girton maths graduates was teaching in a school – some still do though, and love it. Other careers include university teaching, financial work in the City, accountancy, actuarial work, software development, starting and running web-based companies, environmental science, economics, medical statistics and mathematical biology. Maths graduates are rarely unemployed; many companies are eager to employ them, even in jobs that are not directly related to maths but where the logical thinking and problem-solving skills acquired by studying maths are invaluable.