At A-level the normal subjects would be Mathematics and Further Mathematics, plus one other. In common with other courses, Mathematics does not have a fixed quota of places but typically Queens' will admit about fifteen mathematicians each year, depending upon the number and quality of the applicants. Applicants are encouraged to take time off between school and University and to use this time travelling or working. We have found no evidence that such time off impairs their mathematical careers. During the first two years at Queens' mathematics students are supervised two or three times a week.
Supervisions are in pairs and for an hour at a time.
Much of the most important teaching is done in supervisions, where the supervisor will review the material covered in lectures, work on problems with the students, and keep a personal check on each student's progress. The work set for each supervision typically requires eight to ten hours preparation. In addition, special classes for all Queens' students are held weekly at which a supervisor discusses common problems and particularly important ideas, prior to the supervisions. Queens' takes great care to make the best possible arrangements for supervisions, and almost all of the supervision in the first two years is done by members of the College, either Fellows or Research Students, many of the latter having previously been undergraduates at Queens'. In the third year, when students take specialised options, supervisions are organised amongst a group of ten colleges so that the particular expertise of all the mathematicians in these colleges is pooled and used effectively.