Mathematics degree personal statement example (2l) Cambridge and Warwick offers

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Pure Mathematics is defined to be the abstract science of number, quantity and space. To me, this sums up perfectly what Mathematics at university will be like. Rather than being about finding an answer to an equation, it will be about finding your way through the darkness to prove an infuriating conjecture. At university, as the definition suggests, the line between being right and wrong becomes blurred, where having the right answer is no longer always enough.

Reading "How to think like a Mathematician" by Kevin Houston has given me an idea as to how Mathematics changes between A-Level and university. Instead of just learning a method and using that same method to produce an answer, it becomes about knowing how to prove things and being rigorous in proofs. I especially enjoyed reading the chapter titled Reading Mathematics, as I feel it has allowed me to take more from textbooks, enabling me to become competent with new concepts faster.

Pure Mathematics is my favourite branch of Mathematics because of the beauty of proof. In my opinion, the best proof is differentiation from first principles. This proof will always stick in my mind because it was performed in the "taster lesson" for Further Maths A-Level, and it was what confirmed to me that studying Further Maths was the best thing for me. After a university open day, I learnt of the twin prime conjecture, and the polymath project. Since then, I have followed the progress of the attempted proof, and, at the time of writing, assuming a number of conjectures are true, the proven gap between primes was down to just 12. The polymath project has shown me the need for teamwork in Mathematics, as in school, Mathematics is presented as a largely individual subject.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

As a Mathematics prefect, I have had to work with older students and staff, which has developed both my ability to work in a team and my confidence. As a part of this role, I also tutor a number of younger students. This has helped me to develop my communication skills, which has improved my actual writing of Mathematics as it has improved my ability to communicate what I am doing to the reader. In addition to my role as a prefect, I also co-founded a Senior Mathematics Club, at which a number of students discuss mathematical problems outside of the syllabus, with topics including "The Mathematical Gazette Problem Corner" and "STEP".

In the summer I completed a work experience placement with a commodities trader. I was introduced to the idea of options, including one rather long equation, known as The Black-Scholes Formula, which is derived from a partial differential equation. This has shown me how complex Mathematics can be used every day, demonstrating just how important Mathematics is in the business world.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Outside of school I partake in a number of sporting activities, including football, tennis and snooker. The football and the tennis have allowed me to develop my communication and team work skills in different situations, making me more adaptable, as I am able to perform under pressure.

To conclude, I am looking forward to studying Mathematics both for its beauty and elegance and for the useful skills that I will acquire that find application in many areas of Science.

Universities applied to:

• University of Cambridge (Mathematics)
• University of Warwick (Mathematics)
• Durham University (Mathematics)
• University of Bath (Mathematics)
• University of Bristol (Mathematics)

Grades achieved:

• Maths (A2) - 296 UMS at AS
• Further Maths (A2) - 294 UMS at AS
• Chemistry (A2) - 281 UMS at AS
• Physics (A2) - 267 UMS at AS
• Further Additional Maths (AS)

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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