Our Tutors - Johann Perera

Johann - Materials Science, University of Oxford

Hello! My name is Johann, and I am both a graduate and an academic tutor of the University of Oxford. I read for two degrees at Oxford: an MEng in Materials Science at The Queen’s College, where I was awarded the Armourers & Braziers/TATA Steel Prize for the best Materials Selection project in my year, and a fully-funded PhD in solid-state battery materials at Oriel College. Following my doctorate I was awarded a Post-Doctoral Research Associate position in the Materials Science department. I spent over nine years in Oxford, moving from student to researcher to tutor, and I loved every stage of it. Before coming up to university, I attained A*s at A Level in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics.

For the past five years I have been a Materials Science tutor for Corpus Christi College, Oxford, delivering over 100 tutorials through the specialised Oxford tutorial system. This form of teaching — typically one or two students, a challenging problem set, and joint discussion — is one of the most rigorous and rewarding ways to teach. It demands precision, patience and the ability to meet each student exactly where they are. I teach Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from GCSE through to A-level, and I take particular care to ensure that students not only understand the material but develop their own reasoning. I am currently also working as a teacher of Physics in a secondary school, which keeps my knowledge of the curriculum sharp and my understanding of what students face at each stage very much current.

For students applying to Oxford, Cambridge or other highly competitive universities, I offer specialist support that draws on my own experience from the inside. I have navigated the Oxford admissions process myself, spent nearly a decade within the university as a student, researcher and tutor, and have devised interview questions for Materials Science admissions. I understand precisely what admissions tutors are looking for — not just subject knowledge, but the ability to think independently, engage with unfamiliar problems and articulate reasoning clearly under pressure. I work with applicants on all aspects of the process: personal statement drafting and refinement, written assessments, and interview preparation for STEM related disciplines.

Away from academia, I have spent over a decade as a competitive hockey player and coach. I hold five Blues from Oxford University, captained the Blues team for two seasons, and captained the England Universities Men’s Team in 2021 and 2022. I currently play EH Premier League hockey. Sport has shaped how I teach: I know what it means to work hard at something difficult over a long period of time, to experience setbacks and come back from them, and to perform under pressure. I bring that understanding and a good deal of patience to every student I work with.

I am happy to discuss any student’s needs, and I welcome enquiries from students and parents at any stage of the school or university application journey. Please do get in touch.