It is intended that a major feature of this course is that candidates should show a broad knowledge and understanding over a wide range of material. Consequently each lecture course taken will receive an assessment upon its completion by means of a test based on written work or in-person examination.

To pass the overall course, candidates must obtain passes on at least five individual courses, that includes two at the Schedule II level, and for the dissertation. 

Candidates must offer at least four courses from among those available in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms. No candidate may offer more than four courses in one term. Candidates may, with the permission of the Course Director, substitute no more than one of the MFoCS courses with an appropriate course of study from outside the published list (Approved Subject).

Candidates should complete their dissertation by early September, and will be orally examined on the dissertation and the background material to it.

The written assessment for lecture courses that offer mini projects as means of assessment will require candidates to sign a statement that the work offered for assessment is theirs alone. The mini projects will be set at the start of the last week of the relevant lecture course and will be suggested by the course lecturers.

In-person written examinations for Mathematics Part B and C courses will take place in the second half of Trinity term. 

For further information see the Examinations Conventions in the "Information for current students" section which explain in greater detail how candidates are assessed.

Information on examinations in previous years can be found in past Examiners' reports:

Internal Examiners' reports

External Examiners' reports

 

Examples of dissertations

These dissertations were amongst the top 6 in 2021-22

J Codsi 21-22.pdf

T Laakonen 21-22.pdf

T Schwarz 21-22.pdf

J Kudla 21-22.pdf

H Bambury 21-22.pdf

S Pohmann 21-22.pdf

 

Last updated on 18 Sep 2026, 5:14pm. Please contact us with feedback and comments about this page.