Mathematics
I was looking for a small college where tutors provide strong and individual support, so I chose Peterhouse. This college offers an excellent environment for studying maths and has definitely lived up to my expectations. Here’s why I’ve enjoyed every bit of it!
Location
In the first two years of study, lectures will be within 5-minute walking distance from college so there’s no excuse for not attending. In my second year, all I had to do was just slip through the back gate and crawl next door! In the third year, lectures will be in the Faculty of Mathematics; it’s outside of town centre but a 10-minute cycle ride will take you there, or alternatively, a free bus service can pick you up from the doorsteps of college entrance gate.
Supervision
Peterhouse is small so you will quickly get to know your supervisors and other students well. There are usually about 6 maths students in each year. You will typically pair up and have two 1-hour supervisions each week to go through example sheets and discuss anything you wish. It’s very informal, so you’ll find it easy to ask anything that you don’t understand.
Facilities
The college library stocks all the textbooks you will need for the course so you will not be forced to buy any book of your own. You can use the college computer room for your programming projects, so no personal computer is required either.
Overall
Studying maths at Peterhouse gives you the right balance between the academic and social sides of living. You can choose from many clubs and societies within college, which will give you a nice break from work. If you want to study maths seriously, and enjoy exploring your other interests at the same time, then Peterhouse is probably the right place for you.
Daisuke Takagi