Listmania!
Books for the first two undergraduate years
Problem-Solving Strategies (Problem Books in Mathematics)Problem-Solving Strategies (Problem Books in Mathematics) by Arthur Engel
Buy new: £30.79 / Used from: £28.83
You should really already have a copy of this, but I include it anyway because it is an incredible book. Has some use for the Numbers and sets first year course.
Introduction to Metric and Topological SpacesIntroduction to Metric and Topological Spaces by W. A. Sutherland
Buy used from: £5.90
Decent problem sets and essential to take in Easter term of the first year. Make sure to grasp the inverse function theorem.
Algebra and GeometryAlgebra and Geometry by Alan F. Beardon
Buy new: £20.99 / Used from: £18.00
Transition book from pre-university mathematics; covers half of first year group theory (Orbit stabilizer and isomorphism theorem), spherical/hyperbolic geometry, elementary results in quadratic forms
Vector Calculus (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics) (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics Series)Vector Calculus (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics) (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics Series) by Paul C. Matthews
Buy new: £17.89 / Used from: £18.00
Easy guide to doing basic computations in vector calculus and intuitive proofs of the results. A book that is quickly outgrown, but still serves some purpose.
A First Course in Mathematical AnalysisA First Course in Mathematical Analysis by J. C. Burkill
Buy new: £20.84 / Used from: £5.32
After 45 years this is still the best first year analysis book on the market, with more stimulating problems that Rudin. Also written in a "transition to university maths" style.
Probability: An Introduction (Oxford Science Publications)Probability: An Introduction (Oxford Science Publications) by Geoffrey Grimmett
Buy new: £29.71 / Used from: £15.90
Covers most of the first year probability course succintly; problem sets a bit lacking though.
Rings, Modules and Linear Algebra (Mathematics)Rings, Modules and Linear Algebra (Mathematics) by B. Hartley
Buy used from: £55.00
Covers the material for the latter half of the rings and modules optional first year course (which you should take!)
Problem Solving through Problems (Problem Books in Mathematics)Problem Solving through Problems (Problem Books in Mathematics) by Loren C. Larson
Buy new: £41.99 / Used from: £25.26
An alternative/complement to Engel with more focus on calculus problems.
A First Course in Mechanics (Oxford Science Publications)A First Course in Mechanics (Oxford Science Publications) by Mary Lunn
Buy new: £24.70 / Used from: £14.00
First year mechanics book. Perhaps a bit lacking in tripos-difficulty and length problems...
Introduction to Complex AnalysisIntroduction to Complex Analysis by H. A. Priestley
Buy new: £21.97 / Used from: £16.50
Superb book; you will likely cover the first half in a session at the end of the first year and then complete in the second. Make sure to pick up open mapping, maximum modulus and Rouche's theorem.
An Introduction to Quantum Theory (Oxford Graduate Texts in Mathematics)An Introduction to Quantum Theory (Oxford Graduate Texts in Mathematics) by Keith Hannabuss
Buy new: £54.15 / Used from: £32.00
Straightforwardly readable coverage of second and part of third year quantum mechanics.
Elementary Fluid Dynamics: Oxford Applied Mathematics and Computing Science SeriesElementary Fluid Dynamics: Oxford Applied Mathematics and Computing Science Series by D. J. Acheson
Buy new: £33.81 / Used from: £31.24
Reasonable book for second and a lot of third year fluid mechanics. Very lacking in challenging problems for the earlier material though.
A Second Course in Mathematical Analysis (Cambridge Mathematical Library)A Second Course in Mathematical Analysis (Cambridge Mathematical Library) by J. C. Burkill
Buy new: £35.84 / Used from: £30.00
Many interesting problems and coverage of Analysis II and an alternative view of elementary complex analysis.
Probability and Statistics by Example: Volume 1, Basic Probability and Statistics: Basic Probability and Statistics v. 1Probability and Statistics by Example: Volume 1, Basic Probability and Statistics: Basic Probability and Statistics v. 1 by Yuri Suhov
Buy new: £26.90 / Used from: £19.99
Provides good coverage of first year probability problem solving and second year statistics. Be careful not to abuse this book!
Elementary Differential Geometry (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics) (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics Series)Elementary Differential Geometry (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics) (Springer Undergraduate Mathematics Series) by Andrew Pressley
Buy new: £17.44 / Used from: £13.95
Covers the latter half of the second year geometry course. Provides quality solutions to exercises if you are having difficulty.
Algebraic TopologyAlgebraic Topology by Allen Hatcher
Buy new: £18.38 / Used from: £17.18
The standard text for undergrad algebraic topology. The amount you will cover varies; the first course finishes at homology whilst previous courses had included de Rham cohomology and homotopy theory.
Representations and Characters of GroupsRepresentations and Characters of Groups by Gordon James
Buy new: £29.62 / Used from: £23.46
Despite its size it only covers the first half of the course using slightly annoying conventions. Provides extensive experience with finite groups (up to order 1000 in fact!)
Principles of Mathematical Analysis (International Series in Pure & Applied Mathematics)Principles of Mathematical Analysis (International Series in Pure & Applied Mathematics) by Walter Rudin
Buy new: £40.79 / Used from: £19.48
The book most great modern mathematicians learned elementary real analysis from.
Complex AnalysisComplex Analysis by L. Ahlfors
Buy used from: £13.89
Covers more elementary topics in the Riemann surfaces course. Absolute classic book .
An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers (Oxford Science Publications)An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers (Oxford Science Publications) by G. H. Hardy
Buy new: £38.00 / Used from: £11.50
Covers number theory from first year material to the prime number theorem.
Galois Theory (Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematics)Galois Theory (Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematics) by Ian Stewart
Buy new: £31.69 / Used from: £27.99
Slow paced and readable introduction to Galois theory. Covers most of the third year course.
Linear Analysis (Cambridge Mathematical Textbooks)Linear Analysis (Cambridge Mathematical Textbooks) by Bila Bollobás
Buy used from: £10.17
Functional Analysis
Markov Chains (Cambridge Series in Statistical and Probabilistic Mathematics)Markov Chains (Cambridge Series in Statistical and Probabilistic Mathematics) by J. R. Norris
Buy new: £22.24 / Used from: £19.00
2nd year Markov chains and more!
General RelativityGeneral Relativity by Wald
Buy new: £26.98 / Used from: £24.65
A decent choice of text for third year General relativity. Exercises are perhaps a bit lacking.
Algebra [1st Edition]Algebra [1st Edition] by Michael Artin
Buy new: £48.18 / Used from: £46.74
Comprehensive coverage of Algebra for the first two years, but a bit light on Representation and Galois theory.