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Undergraduate Study

 

Computer Science, BA (Hons) and MEng

Computer Science at Cambridge brings together disciplines including mathematics, engineering, the natural sciences, psychology and linguistics.

Study modern computer science, along with the underlying theory and foundations in economics, law and business.
 

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Overview
Number 1 in the UK for Computer Science (The Complete University Guide 2025)

Computer Science at Cambridge

Here at Cambridge, we pioneered computer science and we continue to lead its development today.

Our links to Computing go back to the 1930s when Alan Turing developed the theoretical foundations for computation. We’ve been at the forefront of Computer Science research ever since.

This is a broad and deep course that covers all aspects of modern computer science.

We have 3 and 4 year course options:

  • the 3-year course is a BA honours degree
  • the 4-year course includes a Masters, leading to a BA and Master of Engineering (MEng) degree

Whichever option you choose, you will develop practical skills in:

  • programming, in various languages such as OCaml, Java, C/C++ and Prolog
  • hardware systems, such as chip design

Teaching and facilities

Teaching

Established over 80 years ago, we were the first Computer Science department in the country. Our research helped lay the foundations of modern computing. We built the first programmable computer to come into service and lead the early development of programming languages and operating systems. We continue to innovate and advance the field, in areas from AI to quantum computing to computer architecture.

We offer a learning environment that is creative, stimulating, modern and entrepreneurial. You will be taught by pioneers and leading researchers in this fast-moving field.

You'll also take part in group projects that offer the chance to work with and present to external companies. Find out more about how Computer Science at Cambridge can support your future career.

Facilities

The Department of Computer Science and Technology facilities include:

  • advanced lecture theatres
  • dedicated practical rooms

Our West Cambridge site offers:

  • a fantastic environment for both study and relaxation
  • resources, specialists and support of the Technology Libraries team (in the West Hub, just opposite the building)
  • big and comfortable lecture theatres
  • a games room
  • café facilities (in the West Hub)

At Cambridge, you'll also have access to the impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries.

Course costs

When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).

Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students.

Find out more about general study costs.

Other additional costs for Computer Science are detailed below. If you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Department.

Equipment

  • Laptop specification: £800 for a modern entry-level laptop is sufficient, but we recommend at least half the main drive is dedicated to a bootable Linux system, such as Ubuntu.
  • University approved scientific calculator: please see the Department website for details.

Books

You don't have to buy your own copies of textbooks, but it's strongly recommended. The number of textbooks you need depends on the course options you’ve chosen. The costs below are an estimate of how much you can expect to spend each year if you do purchase your own copies.

  • Year 1: Estimated cost of core texts £150.
  • Years 2, 3 and 4: Estimated cost of core texts £150 to £250 per year.

Your future career

There are more than 1,000 specialist computing and advanced technology companies and commercial laboratories in the Cambridge area, known as ‘Silicon Fen'.

A number of local firms and start-ups support our teaching and employ our graduates, in areas from chip design to mathematical modelling and AI.

As a graduate, you’ll have knowledge and skills that embody principles which will outlast today’s technology. This makes you highly sought after by industry and commerce alike.

Many of our graduates go on to work as:

  • programmers
  • software development professionals

Other graduates decide to pursue:

  • further study
  • careers in teaching and research

Many have also founded companies, or gained employment in:

  • software
  • hardware
  • the games industry
  • finance
  • communications
  • commerce
Course outline

Teaching

Teaching is provided through lectures, practical classes and small-group supervisions.

In your first year you will typically have 9 to 12 lectures, one to 2 practical classes and 2 to 3 supervisions per week. 

Assessment

In your first and second year you will be assessed through 3-hour examinations, taken in the final term of each year.

In your third year you will be assessed through coursework and 3-hour examinations.

Practical work is undertaken in all years of the degree programme.

You won't usually be able to resit any of your exams.

Year 1 (Part IA)

You'll study a range of foundation topics in computer science including:

  • Discrete and Continuous Mathematics
  • Programming Languages including functional and object-orientated
  • operating systems
  • Hardware
  • interaction design
  • machine learning

Year 2 (Part IB)

You'll study a range of core topics in computer science including:

  • theory – including logic and proof, computation theory
  • systems – including computer architecture, computer networking
  • programming – including compiler construction, Language Design
  • human aspects – including Human Interaction design, Artificial Intelligence

You also undertake a group project, which reflects current industrial practice.

Year 3 (Part II)

You choose from a large selection of topics which allows you to concentrate on an area of interest to you, such as:

  • computer architecture
  • applications (including bioinformatics and natural language processing)
  • theory

New topics inspired by current research interests include computer architecture, data science and robotics.

You will also work on a substantial project that demonstrates your computer science skills, and write a 10,000 to 12,000 word dissertation on it.

Projects are often connected with current Cambridge research, and many utilise cutting-edge technology.

Year 4 (Part III, optional Masters)

The fourth year is designed for students looking to explore more advanced areas of Computer Science.

You will:

  • explore issues at the very forefront of computer science
  • undertake a substantial research project

Progression to fourth year depends on how well you do in your third year exams.

If you successfully complete the fourth year, you’ll get the MEng qualification, as well as the BA degree associated with the first 3 years.

Changing course

It’s really important to think carefully about which course you want to study before you apply. 

In rare cases, it may be possible to change course once you’ve joined the University. You will usually have to get agreement from your College and the relevant departments. It’s not guaranteed that your course change will be approved.

You might also have to:

  • take part in an interview
  • complete an admissions test
  • produce some written work
  • achieve a particular grade in your current studies
  • do some catch-up work
  • start your new course from the beginning 

For more information visit the Faculty website.

You can also apply to change to:

You can't apply to this course until you're at Cambridge. You would usually apply when you have completed one year or more of your original Cambridge course.

You should contact your College’s Admissions Office if you’re thinking of changing your course. They will be able to give you advice and explain how changing courses works.

Entry requirements
The listed entry requirements relate to entry in 2026 or deferred entry in 2027. They are currently draft entry requirements and will be confirmed in June 2025. 

Minimum offer level

A level: A*A*A
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept.

To apply to any of our Colleges for Computer Science, you will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in: 

  • Mathematics 
  • Further Mathematics to AS or A level if your school offers it. Check the guidance on this page

If you’re studying IB, we ask for Analysis and Approaches for this course. If this isn’t an option at your school, please contact your shortlisted College(s) for advice 

Colleges usually require A* in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics. Colleges may also require an A*/7 in specific subjects (usually Chemistry or Physics, if taken) as part of your offer.

If your school offers Further Mathematics to AS or A level, you should take it. Additional mathematics is helpful. All candidates are strongly encouraged to take up opportunities to develop their skills

College entry requirements

They may ask for an A* in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics. They may also occasionally ask for higher grades:

  • Christ’s
  • Churchill
  • Clare
  • Corpus Christi
  • Emmanuel
  • Fitzwilliam
  • Girton
  • Gonville & Caius
  • Hughes Hall
  • Homerton
  • Jesus
  • King’s
  • Lucy Cavendish
  • Magdalene
  • Murray Edwards
  • Newnham
  • Pembroke
  • Peterhouse
  • Queens’
  • Robinson
  • Selwyn
  • Sidney Sussex
  • St Catharine’s
  • St Edmund’s
  • St John’s
  • Trinity
  • Trinity Hall
  • Wolfson

The following College has extra subject requirements and/or set extra conditions. For example, they may make a higher offer or specify an A* in a particular subject. However, some may occasionally set offers at the minimum level. For more information check the College websites:

  • Downing

Colleges set additional offer requirements for a range of reasons. If you'd like to find out more about why we do this, check the information about offers above the minimum requirement on the entry requirements page.

IB offers

Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum offer level. Find out more on our qualifications page.

Admission assessment

All applicants for Computer Science are required to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) at an authorised assessment centre. You must register in advance for this test.

Please see the admissions test page for more information.

If you're applying to Peterhouse or Trinity College you will also need to take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT).

Submitted work

You won't usually be asked to submit examples of written work. You may be asked to do some reading prior to your interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in your interview invitation.

What Computer Science students have studied

Most Computer Science students (who had studied A levels and started at Cambridge in 2018, 2019 and 2023) achieved at least A*A*A* (87% of entrants).

All of these students studied Mathematics and most also took:

  • Further Mathematics (over 97%); please note that Further Mathematics is now required to AS or A level if your school offers it.
  • Physics (84%)
  • Computing (64%)

The majority of students who studied IB achieved at least 43 points overall.

Check our guidance on choosing high school subjects. You should also check if there are any required subjects for your course when you apply.

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries.

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Discover Uni

Discover Uni data

Contextual information

Discover Uni allows you to compare information about individual courses at different higher education institutions.  This can be a useful method of considering your options and what course may suit you best.

However, please note that superficially similar courses often have very different structures and objectives, and that the teaching, support and learning environment that best suits you can only be determined by identifying your own interests, needs, expectations and goals, and comparing them with detailed institution- and course-specific information.

We recommend that you look thoroughly at the course and University information contained on these webpages and consider coming to visit us on an Open Day, rather than relying solely on statistical comparison.

You may find the following notes helpful when considering information presented by Discover Uni.

  1. Discover Uni relies on superficially similar courses being coded in the same way. Whilst this works on one level, it may lead to some anomalies. For example, Music courses and Music Technology courses can have exactly the same code despite being very different programmes with quite distinct educational and career outcomes.

    Any course which combines several disciplines (as many courses at Cambridge do) tends to be compared nationally with courses in just one of those disciplines, and in such cases the Discover Uni comparison may not be an accurate or fair reflection of the reality of either. For example, you may find that when considering a degree which embraces a range of disciplines such as biology, physics, chemistry and geology (for instance, Natural Sciences at Cambridge), the comparison provided is with courses at other institutions that primarily focus on just one (or a smaller combination) of those subjects.You may therefore find that not all elements of the Cambridge degree are represented in the Discover Uni data.

  2. Some contextual data linked from other surveys, such as the National Student Survey (NSS) or the Destination of Leavers in Higher Education (DLHE), may not be available or may be aggregated across several courses or several years due to small sample sizes.  When using the data to inform your course choice, it is important to ensure you understand how it has been processed prior to its presentation. Discover Uni offers some explanatory information about how the contextual data is collated, and how it may be used, which you can view here: https://discoveruni.gov.uk/about-our-data/.

  3. Discover Uni draws on national data to provide average salaries and employment/continuation data.  Whilst starting salaries can be a useful measure, they do not give any sense of career trajectory or take account of the voluntary/low paid work that many graduates undertake initially in order to gain valuable experience necessary/advantageous for later career progression. Discover Uni is currently piloting use of the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data to demonstrate possible career progression; it is important to note that this is experimental and its use may be modified as it embeds.

The above list is not exhaustive and there may be other important factors that are relevant to the choices that you are making, but we hope that this will be a useful starting point to help you delve deeper than the face value of the Discover Uni data.

Key information

Minimum offer level 
A level: A*A*A
IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
UCAS code 
G400
Course length 
BA (Hons) 3 years full-time, or MEng 4 years full-time
Start date 
October 2026
Study at 

All Colleges

Applicant numbers 
2024 cycle:
Applications per place: 13
Accepted: 141
Department website 
www.cst.cam.ac.uk
Contact email 
undergraduate.admissions@cst.cam.ac.uk
Contact telephone 
01223 763505 or 01223 334420
Related courses 
Engineering, BA (Hons) and MEng
Linguistics, BA (Hons)
Mathematics, BA (Hons) and MMath
Natural Sciences, BA (Hons) and MSci

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