Computer Science

UCAS code: G400

Subject Requirements

Essential: Mathematics.

Highly Desirable: Further Mathematics and/or a physical science.

Computer Science may be approached from a variety of backgrounds. The Cambridge course rapidly teaches a broad range of practical and theoretical computer science topics. It is assumed that students will have a sound mathematical background but other topics (e.g. electronics) will be taught from their foundation. A physical science is also beneficial, particularly as the first year of this course is split 50:50 between Computer Science and Natural Sciences. An A level in Computer Science is useful, but not a requirement. An A level in ICT is of less use in terms of preparation for the Cambridge course.

Written Work

None.

Admissions Tests

The Thinking Skills Assessment, taken on the day of your interview.

Director(s) of Studies

IMG Dr Simon Moore

Dr Simon Moore - Fellow of Trinity Hall and Reader in Computer Architecture.

The Director of Studies at Trinity Hall, Dr Simon Moore, leads the Computer Architecture research group at the Computer Laboratory which is involved in leading projects on manycore processor design and associated language issues. All of the lecturing staff at the Computer Laboratory are active in research and the 2008 research assessment exercise clearly placed the department first in the country and among the top internationally. As a consequence the staff are not merely following latest developments, they are leading many of them. This is reflected in our teaching.

Dr Moore sits on the Educational Policy Committee at Trinity Hall and the Teaching Committee in the Computer Laboratory. Few colleges have a Director of Studies in Computer Science who is on the research staff and is so linked in with teaching activities.

General Comments

Cambridge's Computer Science course is challenging, exciting, inspiring and highly marketable. The course attracts the best students from the UK and beyond. It provides a broad and deep education into all aspects of Computer Science and it is taught by some of the world's experts in the field at the Computer Laboratory (the name we give the department of computer science). The course moves quickly from the fundamentals of the subject in first year, through the core material in second year, to advanced topics in the third year, some of which are only covered in Masters degrees elsewhere. We expect a lot from our students but we know that they are capable. Graduates in Computer Science are highly sought after by industry: at the Computer Laboratory's 2007 recruitment fair, 55 companies paid to be present for the chance to recruit from our 80 graduates. Of the recent graduates (across the University), around half go into the IT sector, a fifth into banking and investment, a further fifth go on to research degrees at Cambridge and elsewhere, and the final tenth into a range of other jobs. The Cambridge Computer Lab Ring is the department's graduate association which provides mentoring to graduates of the department.

For further information on the course structure, see the Computer Laboratory's Admissions, FAQ and Myths pages.

Further Information (Cambridge Undergraduate Admissions)

Application Statistics