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 Master’s 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. In a typical year, around 50% go into the IT sector, 20% into banking and investment, 20% go on to research degrees at Cambridge and elsewhere, and the final 10% on to a range of other jobs. The Cambridge Computer Lab Ring is the department’s graduate association which provides mentoring to graduates of the department.
In the first year you’ll be taught how computers work from top to bottom and get a grounding in digital electronics (theoretical and practical). You’ll also meet two programming languages (don’t worry: most of our students haven’t programmed before); get a grounding in the mathematical underpinnings of computing and the art of software design; and take a good look at how to evaluate and design algorithms (essentially puzzle solving). Teaching is provided through lectures, practical classes and supervisions. In Year 1, you can typically expect 20 hours of teaching every week, including up to 12 lectures.
In the first year, you will also take practical classes. Each week the Computer Laboratory provides computer facilities and demonstrators to help you through a series of assessed exercises across a broad range of topics. This includes hands-on programming experience in ML and Java, as well as building a series of electrical circuits in the hardware practicals. Each practical contains a core set of tasks that everyone completes as well as a few optional exercises to challenge you if you found the core task easy.
The group project is one of the highlights of the second year. The year group is split into small teams, each provided with an exciting CS project to complete as well as a ‘customer’ for the end product. These are very popular with industry, who invariably provide us with the project and also play the role of customer. It’s not easy work, but our students typically love this aspect of the degree and we are always staggered by what they can achieve in such a short time.
The third year provides a large set of courses to choose from, each letting you explore specific areas in depth with an expert in that field. You also get to choose your own project to work on, and a supervisor will give you one-to-one help to achieve your goals.
The fourth year is designed to support students who are considering a career in either academic or industrial research.
8:00 – I start the morning with a long and chatty breakfast with my college husband [a Cambridge tradition in which first years get ‘College married’ and then in their second year, act as ‘parents’ (i.e. mentors) to first years] and anyone else who’s around in my household. This is often followed by mail runs, laundry or food shopping.
9:00 – Head to the Jerwood (the Trinity Hall library) which is luckily only next door to my accommodation block! Mornings are spent watching the day’s lectures (typically two) before working on digital content for a charity I volunteer for.
11:45 – On most weekdays there will be a supervision at this time. As there’s only a few Computer Scientists at Trinity Hall, our supervisions are often partnered with other colleges – most commonly Gonville & Caius. This is great as it allows us to meet and learn with people across Cambridge whilst visiting other colleges.
13:00 – Make lunch and eat out on the benches that overlook the river. This is a beautiful and bustling lunch spot so it’s a great opportunity to meet new people or interact with friends. Lunch is often followed by a walk around town, down by the river or to Grantchester Meadows.
14:00 – In the afternoon I’ll work on my required programming tasks, known as ticks, in a variety of programming languages. If none of these are outstanding, I’ll complete supervision work which typically involves more programming, maths or short essay questions. This study is done with my household for increased motivation and with an endless supply of tea.
16:00 – Go rowing or fencing, attend acting rehearsals or simply catch up with friends and family. There’s a diverse range of clubs and societies in Cambridge so there’s always something new and exciting to try.
17:00 – On Central Site we don’t have ovens or hobs so I’ve become well-versed with microwave cooking for dinner! I prefer cooking for myself but sometimes treat myself to cafeteria food which is greatly priced and never disappoints.
18:00 – Most evenings I’ll host a tutoring session for Oxbridge applicants. It’s a highly rewarding hour which often helps to re-spark my own study motivation.
19:00 – Depending on how much I’ve achieved during the day, I’ll either finish off some work or enjoy some downtime in the form of cards, party games or films. Either way, I always try and spend my evenings in the company of friends.
| Typical Offer Conditions | |
| A–Level: | A*A*A |
| IB: | 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level |
| Other: | See the University’s Entrance Requirements page. |
| Subject Requirements | |
| Essential: | Mathematics |
| Desirable: | Further Mathematics and/or a physical science |
None.
All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for Computer Science (the CTMUA) at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college). You must be registered in advance (separately to your UCAS application) to take the assessment – the registration deadline is 15 October 2020. Please see the Admissions Assessments page on the University website for further details.
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. 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.
