​
- Why study Computer Science?
- Course structure and content
- Teaching
- What do our students think?
- How to apply
- Helpful resources
- Come to an Open Day or Webinar
- Want to know more?
Why study Computer Science at ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's College?
ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's is a few minutes' walk of Mill Lane where first-year lectures for Computer Science are held. The College also provides a modern library, a theatre, sporting facilities, playing fields, social activities and clubs and societies open to all.
Course structure and content
The Computer Science course (or ‘tripos’) is a four-year degree, and you can choose from a range of options in the first year.
Please visit the University website for full details of the , including the . You will also find information on the . If you have any further questions, please contact undergraduate.admissions@cst.cam.ac.uk.
Teaching
ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ’s’ Fellows possess a range of expertise that covers the full spectrum of the Computer Science course, so you can expect strong, informed teaching.
- Professor Richard Mortier: ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ’s Director of Studies in Computer Science and University Lecturer in the Systems Research Group at the Cambridge University Computer Lab
- : Professor in Computer Science and a member of the Programming, Logic and Semantics Group
- : Professor of Computer Science and a member of the Systems Research Group
- Professor Steven Murdoch: Professor of Security Engineering at UCL and bye-fellow at ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's College.
- Dr Damon Wischik: University Lecturer in the Human-Centred Computing Group at the Cambridge University Computer Lab.
ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ’s College Director of Studies in Computer Science Prof Richard Mortier can advise you on choosing options and arrange your twice-weekly ‘supervisions’. These small-group teaching tutorials offer support and tuition tailored to your personal work. As other universities usually tutor in much larger groups, this approach is a real advantage of a Cambridge education.
Our students enjoy the fact that ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's College is just a few minutes’ walk from Mill Lane, home of first-year Computer Science lectures.
What do our students think?
Read about the experiences of some of the ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's Computer Science students:
If you’d like to hear from other ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's students, please watch the and visit our Student Profiles page.
How to Apply
Visit How to Apply for full details and a timeline of the application process. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and school types, all over the world. If you're applying from outside the UK, please read our international students section.
| News |
|---|
|
Subject requirements
We particularly welcome applications from candidates with a strong background in mathematics and/or science.
If you are taking UK-designed A-levels*
- A level Mathematics is required
- A level Further Mathematics is required
- It is desirable to take Physics and/or Computer Science.
If your school does not offer Further Maths, you may be able to get support from the .
*UK-designed A levels include International A levels but not Singapore A levels.
For all other qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate and Scottish Advanced Highers:
- Mathematics (or an equivalent) is essential. IB students must take Maths Analysis and Approaches and students in the USA system should take AP Calculus BC.
- You must also take at least one other subject out of Physics, Chemistry or Biology.
- It is desirable to take Physics and/or Computer Science.
Students in the Scottish system should see the advice here and students taking the International Baccalaureate should see the information here.
A number of our international candidates (from countries where you study a wide range of subjects at school in the final two years) take part in Mathematics competitions as a way to focus on extending mathematical knowledge and ability.
TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) - registration by 16 September required
All students applying to the University of Cambridge for Computer Science sit an admissions assessment called the . This is the same at all Cambridge Colleges. The test provider has changed since last year so note that the logistics for sitting the TMUA will be different for Oct 2024 applicants to previous arrangements for this test.
Please first of all read the , then look at the for full information.
| Date | What happens |
| May 2024 | Free practice materials and further detail about the TMUA are available on the (see the ). |
| From 3 June 2024 | UK applicants only: if you are in financial need you may be eligible to apply for a bursary code to cover the full test fee. Please check the eligibility criteria and process at on the . |
| 3 June - 29 August 2024 | If you have a disability or learning difference and require access arrangements for your test (e.g. extended time for dyslexia, arrangements for impaired mobility, hearing, or vision) you must not book your test until your access arrangements have been approved by UAT-UK. Please see the on the . |
| 1 August - 16 September 2024 | Create an account, register and pay the entry fee for the TMUA by the 16 Sept deadline at the latest. See the on the . Once registration is open, we recommend that you register as soon as possible. The earlier you book, the more chance you have of getting the appointment you want at your local test centre. Important: 16 Sept is an absolute deadline. You cannot register late and therefore it will not be possible to apply to Cambridge if you miss this deadline. |
| 16 or 17 October 2024 | Take the TMUA at a Pearson VUE test centre (you must use this sitting). See the . |
| Approx 6 weeks after you take the test | You receive your results via the Pearson VUE booking portal (results are automatically shared with us as well - you do not need to send them to us) |
You will need to sit the TMUA at a Pearson VUE test centre. There are tests centres in over 180 countries - you will be able to find your nearest test centre nearer the time on the Pearson VUE website. The entry fee is £75 to sit the TMUA in the UK or Republic of Ireland, or £130 to sit the test in another country. Note that UK students in financial need can apply for a bursary voucher (a unique code which can be used instead of payment when registering).
There is no set score that we are looking for and we don't expect you to get every question right. The TMUA forms part of our holistic admissions process, which means that we will look at your scores in the context of your whole application.
Interviews
If we invite you for interviews, these usually take place in early December. At ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's we do all of our interviews online. You can have your interviews either at home (most applicants do this) or at school (if easier). Those selected for interview are interviewed for 35-50 minutes in total. At ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ’s, we usually split the time into two interviews with academics in Computer Science.
Further, more general information about interviews (including two useful films) is available in the , and it's worth also having a look at supervisions (), as interviews are similar to what you do every week as a Cambridge student.
Offers
ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's College does not have fixed quotas of places for different subjects and the exact numbers admitted in any one year will depend upon the strengths of the fields of applicants in various subjects.
We define the terms of each offer individually, but a typical offer for Computer Science is
- A*, A*, A at A-level
- 42 points overall in the International Baccalaureate with 7, 7, 6 in relevant Higher Level subjects
- A1, A1, A2 in three relevant Scottish Advanced Highers (See the Computer Science from Scotland page)
You need to be academically ambitious: the majority of ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's students arrive with higher grades than are required.
If you're taking another qualification, we expect you to be working at or close to the top of the mark range, for example
- Option Internationale du Baccalaureat: at least 17/20 overall, with 17 or 18 in relevant subjects
- European Baccalaureate: at least 85% overall, with 9/10 in relevant subjects
You can look up other qualifications in the and , and if you are applying from outside the UK please read the ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's international students section for further information and check the country pages.
If you will have finished school when you apply, please also read about post-qualification applications, taking a gap year, and, if relevant, applying from a university.
Helpful resources
| Including specification and sample tests with explained answers. There is also an to help prepare. | |
| A FREE online learning platform developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and the University of Cambridge. The content is tailored to A level exam boards. You study and revise at your own pace, track your progress as you answer questions and work towards achieving better exam results. You can feel confident that you are accessing high-quality and relevant materials written by experienced teachers. | |
| A programme that offers advice about choosing A level Further Mathematics, revision events, enrichment materials and activities, and tuition, when it is not available through your school or college. See in particular and , as well as , the and the free . There is also help with the step up from secondary school maths to A level maths. | |
| This is to support students taking Further Maths A level (so you can use the free version) - it does not replace the A level Further Maths qualification. | |
| Maths home study resources | . If in sixth form, see in particular the . |
| Free online resources to help you develop mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills. See in particular , , , and , | |
| Maths transition help | ; |
| A variety of maths articles and podcasts written for sixth form students, exploring the dynamic importance of maths and its applications. You can search for . | |
| Mathematical/computer programming problems - the use of a computer and programming skills will be required to solve most problems. | |
| If you can get hold of a Raspberry Pi, it would be good to follow one of the many hardware and software tutorials available online for it. This will give you familiarity with the UNIX command line, which you'll find very useful on the course at Cambridge. | |
| Reading suggestions | - A Kee Dewdney, The New Turing Omnibus (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) Publications such as and often have articles on Computer Science too. |
| Research talks | |
| Year 12 opportunity to work on a summer research project. Strict eligibility criteria apply. | |
| If you're studying Physics in sixth form, this website will help you develop problem-solving skills in Physics. See and . There is also a , and opportunity to . There's also a which covers the core syllabus for A level Physics. | |
| A website for students who want to explore Computer Science beyond the school curriculum. | |
| Introducing the academic and information skills that you will need during your studies, as well as how and where you would be working |
Come to an Open Day / Webinar
Our open days and events page advertises regular online opportunities as well as events you can attend in Cambridge. If you can, sign up for a College Open Day (our October, February and September events normally include a meeting with a subject specialist). Between February and August we run regular webinars:
- Subject Matters: The importance of post-16 subject choices (this one is also run Sept - Nov)
- Cambridge for Beginners
- ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's College: A look at the Grounds and Facilities
- Personal Statements and preparing for an application
Further subject-specific opportunities you might wish to consider include organised by Cambridge Admissions Office, and subject-specific talks in the July Cambridge Open Days. If you are a UK student from a background where there is little tradition of entry to Higher Education, you can apply to attend a in Computer Science or to shadow a current undergraduate studying Computer Science via the (do be aware that there's a high proportion of applicants to places for both of these last two opportunities so please don't be discouraged if you don't get a place).
Want to know more?
For a full picture of what the course involves, please take a look at on the University website and visit the . If you have any queries, please send them to admissions@christs.cam.ac.uk and we’ll help however we can.
Undergraduate Admissions main page / Back to the subject list / How to apply / Why choose ÂÒÂ×ͨµÀ's?
