Key Facts · Cambridge
Computer Science at Cambridge is a 3-year BA (Hons) or optional 4-year MEng course with a typical A-Level offer of A*A*A and UCAS code G400. For 2027 entry, all applicants take TMUA, with CSAT added for Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn or Trinity; the course combines maths, programming, systems and supervisions.
Section 01
Cambridge ranks #2 in the Guardian 2026 and Complete University Guide 2026 Computer Science tables. The peer table places Cambridge at #2 in both Guardian UK and Complete UK, with Oxford at #1 in both tables and Imperial at #4 in Guardian UK and #3 in Complete UK. The ranking caveat matters: Guardian 2026 uses Computer Science and Information Systems, while Complete University Guide 2026 uses Computer Science, and Times/Sunday Times values were left blank in the audit because they were not independently verified from an accessible authoritative source.
The course has a broad first-year foundation across programming, algorithms, discrete mathematics, continuous mathematics, digital electronics, machine learning, software and security engineering, and interaction design. In second year, the course adds core work including data science, economics, law and ethics, further graphics, computer architecture, networking, logic and proof, computation theory, and a group design project. That shape makes Cambridge better suited to applicants who want theory, systems, mathematics and practical construction to sit together rather than choosing a narrow programming route at the start.
Oxford leads the two listed UK ranking tables, while Cambridge's case rests on a supervision-led collegiate course with a 3-year BA or optional 4-year MEng route. Imperial may suit applicants who want a London setting and a technology-heavy environment; Cambridge is a better match for those who value the College system, Winter Pool moderation and small-group supervision style.
How It Ranks Against Peers
| University | Guardian UK | CUG UK | Times UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | #2 | #2 | — |
| University of Oxford | #1 | #1 | — |
| Imperial College London | #4 | #3 | — |
| University of St Andrews | #3 | #4 | — |
| UCL | #9 | #12 | — |
| University of Warwick | #14 | #7 | — |
University of Cambridge
University of Oxford
Imperial College London
University of St Andrews
UCL
University of Warwick
Ranks shown are UK subject-table positions from the three major UK guides. World rankings are not included — UK applicants compare using UK-focused sources.
Section 02
International Applicants
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Select a highlighted country to see the admissions-test, score, and English-language requirements that apply specifically to applicants from that country.
Section 03
| Qualification | Typical Offer | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | A*A*A | Mathematics, Further Mathematics to AS or A level if offered by the applicant's school required. Further Mathematics where available, Additional mathematics development, Physics, Computing recommended.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 the offer. If Further Mathematics is not available at school, applicants should contact shortlisted Colleges before applying. |
| IB Diploma | 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level | HL: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level required.If Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches is not available at the applicant's school, Cambridge advises contacting shortlisted Colleges for advice. Some Colleges usually make offers above the minimum offer level. |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | check the official course page | Relevant AP Tests, normally including mathematics-related preparation appropriate for Computer Science required. AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Physics C recommended. SAT/ACT: SAT minimum combined score of 1500 with Mathematics section score of at least 750, or ACT composite score of at least 33 for most Science courses including Computer Science; Science-course applicants should also achieve ACT Science score of at least 33..Cambridge states AP Tests alone are not the whole context: applicants are usually expected to have high passing marks on the relevant school qualification and a high SAT or ACT score. |
Section 04
YEAR 12
Computer Science is highly mathematical at Cambridge, so applicants should strengthen core mathematics, problem solving and proof-style thinking well before the application window.
Tip:Take Further Mathematics to AS or A level if your school offers it; if it is unavailable, contact shortlisted Colleges before applying.
20 JUL — 28 SEP
The current official 2027-entry Cambridge guidance lists TMUA for all Computer Science applicants. Booking opens on 20 July 2026 and the registration deadline is 28 September 2026.
Tip:Book early and check whether your College choice triggers the additional CSAT requirement.
1 SEP — 15 OCT
Submit the UCAS application for Cambridge by 15 October 2026 at 6pm UK time. Include Cambridge institution code C05 and course code G400.
Tip:Do not leave submission to the final evening; My Cambridge Application follows after UCAS.
12 — 16 OCT
The current official Cambridge timeline lists the TMUA sitting window as 12 to 16 October 2026 for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics applicants.
Tip:Applicants from China, Hong Kong and Macau are instructed to sit TMUA on 15 or 16 October.
22 OCT
After UCAS submission, Cambridge sends a link to My Cambridge Application. For most applicants, the deadline is 22 October 2026 at 6pm UK time.
Tip:Prepare any transcript early if it applies to your qualification route.
NOV
Shortlisted applicants are usually invited in November, though some invitations may arrive in early December. The timing of an invitation does not indicate application strength.
Tip:Keep checking the email address used in UCAS and My Cambridge Application.
7 — 18 DEC
The main Cambridge interview period for 2027 entry is 7 to 18 December 2026. Interviews are academic conversations designed to assess subject potential and readiness for Cambridge-style study.
Tip:Be ready to explain your reasoning aloud, especially when working through unfamiliar mathematical or problem-solving material.
27 JAN
Applicants interviewed in December 2026 will receive the outcome of their Cambridge application on 27 January 2027.
Tip:The College making an offer may differ from the College applied to because of Cambridge pooling.
AUG
Exam results are released in August 2027, and Cambridge confirms final decisions for offer holders after results are available.
Tip:If a remark is needed, Cambridge says results for October 2027 entry must be received by 31 August.
YEAR 12
Computer Science is highly mathematical at Cambridge, so applicants should strengthen core mathematics, problem solving and proof-style thinking well before the application window.
Tip:Take Further Mathematics to AS or A level if your school offers it; if it is unavailable, contact shortlisted Colleges before applying.
20 JUL — 28 SEP
The current official 2027-entry Cambridge guidance lists TMUA for all Computer Science applicants. Booking opens on 20 July 2026 and the registration deadline is 28 September 2026.
Tip:Book early and check whether your College choice triggers the additional CSAT requirement.
1 SEP — 15 OCT
Submit the UCAS application for Cambridge by 15 October 2026 at 6pm UK time. Include Cambridge institution code C05 and course code G400.
Tip:Do not leave submission to the final evening; My Cambridge Application follows after UCAS.
12 — 16 OCT
The current official Cambridge timeline lists the TMUA sitting window as 12 to 16 October 2026 for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics applicants.
Tip:Applicants from China, Hong Kong and Macau are instructed to sit TMUA on 15 or 16 October.
22 OCT
After UCAS submission, Cambridge sends a link to My Cambridge Application. For most applicants, the deadline is 22 October 2026 at 6pm UK time.
Tip:Prepare any transcript early if it applies to your qualification route.
NOV
Shortlisted applicants are usually invited in November, though some invitations may arrive in early December. The timing of an invitation does not indicate application strength.
Tip:Keep checking the email address used in UCAS and My Cambridge Application.
7 — 18 DEC
The main Cambridge interview period for 2027 entry is 7 to 18 December 2026. Interviews are academic conversations designed to assess subject potential and readiness for Cambridge-style study.
Tip:Be ready to explain your reasoning aloud, especially when working through unfamiliar mathematical or problem-solving material.
27 JAN
Applicants interviewed in December 2026 will receive the outcome of their Cambridge application on 27 January 2027.
Tip:The College making an offer may differ from the College applied to because of Cambridge pooling.
AUG
Exam results are released in August 2027, and Cambridge confirms final decisions for offer holders after results are available.
Tip:If a remark is needed, Cambridge says results for October 2027 entry must be received by 31 August.
Section 05
Cambridge Computer Science requires the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) for all applicants. TMUA is provided by UAT-UK and delivered through Pearson test centres. The test uses Paper 1: Applications of Mathematical Knowledge and Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning. Booking for the October 2026 test opens on 20 July 2026, with UAT-UK account creation, access arrangements and bursary applications opening on 1 June 2026. The October sitting registration deadline is 28 September 2026 at 6pm UK time. The standard 2027-entry test window is 12–16 October 2026, with candidates in China, Hong Kong and Macau required to sit on 15 or 16 October. Results for the October 2026 sitting are released on 16 November 2026.
Applicants to Lucy Cavendish, Peterhouse, Selwyn or Trinity must also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT). Treat TMUA as a major comparative academic input because it sits beside grades, interviews, references and contextual information rather than replacing them. Applicants outside the UK should check test-centre availability, access-arrangements deadlines and local sitting-date rules early in the application window.
Full TMUA preparation guide | format, scoring, strategy, and practice resources.
TMUA Guide →Section 06
Interview Invitation
Late Nov
Arrival to Interview
Early Dec
Technical Question
Mid Dec
Decision
Early Jan
Interview Invitation
Late Nov
Arrival to Interview
Early Dec
Technical Question
Mid Dec
Decision
Early Jan
Question Types You’ll See
The Computer Science interview is a subject-specific academic discussion with problem-based tasks. The style is supervision-style problem solving, with exact location and format confirmed by the assessing College. Central Cambridge guidance verifies that most applicants have one or two interviews totalling 35 minutes to 1 hour, rather than one fixed two-by-25-minute format across all Colleges. Cambridge may test mathematical and computer-science concepts, readiness for academic study, independent thinking, curiosity, subject enthusiasm and clear reasoning. Typical task types include mathematical reasoning, proof-style problems, logic, algorithms, discrete mathematics, programming concepts and personal-statement discussion.
Practising aloud is more useful than memorising answers. It helps to narrate what you notice, define assumptions, test edge cases and recover when a first approach fails.
Practise with realistic questions from our free Computer Science mock interview bank.
Free Mock Questions →Section 07
Weighting of Admission Factors
100%
Indicative — exact balance varies by college and year.
Cambridge presents Computer Science selection as holistic rather than formulaic. Colleges consider academic record, reference, personal statement, written assessment performance where relevant, contextual or extenuating circumstances and interview performance together.
Academic evidence and problem-solving performance dominate the visual model, while the personal statement, reference and context explain preparation and circumstances. In reality, this means a polished personal statement cannot compensate for weak mathematical preparation, but it can help assessors understand the direction of your subject interest.
Section 08
For Computer Science, avoid writing a personal statement that reads like a list of languages. Use one or two examples where you explain the problem, the trade-off, the false start and the change in your thinking.
A strong paragraph might connect an algorithmic problem, a small programming project and a mathematical idea. It helps to show why a method worked, where it failed and what you tested next.
Do not over-claim expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or software engineering. Use the statement to show disciplined curiosity, not to sound like a finished computer scientist.
See a full annotated example with line-by-line expert commentary.
Computer Science PS Example →Section 09
Projects should make your reasoning visible. Choose work where you can explain design choices, complexity, testing, data structures, edge cases and what changed after debugging.
Suggested project ideas include building a small interpreter or compiler, keeping an algorithmic problem-solving journal, and completing a data or machine-learning evaluation project.
How to present a project:
Other supercurricular work should support the same core evidence: mathematics, algorithms, programming and reflective reasoning.
These activities support your application; they do not substitute for mathematical preparation or clear interview reasoning.
Competitions are not required, but they can stretch decomposition, precision and resilience under time pressure.
None are required; one or two done well beats five half-attempted.
Section 10
The first year gives all students a broad grounding in the fundamentals of Computer Science, bringing together programming, mathematics, hardware, algorithms, machine learning and design. Practical classes are used to cement knowledge through hardware and programming work.
Programming practicals may include OCaml, Java and Python, alongside hardware practicals.
The second year builds on Part IA with a broad range of core topics across data science, architecture, networking, theory, law, ethics and graphics. Students also complete a Lent-term group project that applies programming knowledge to client-style project briefs.
The group project reflects industrial practice and many briefs are provided by industry partners.
The third year is the first year with optional courses, allowing students to concentrate on areas of interest while still sitting a common examination structure. Students also complete a substantial individual project, normally involving programming, and write a dissertation evaluating the work.
The individual project culminates in a substantial dissertation and may connect with current Cambridge research.
The optional fourth year is for students who achieve a sufficiently high standard in third year and want to explore advanced Computer Science. Students select advanced modules and undertake a research-oriented project, leading to the MEng alongside the BA.
Designed for students considering academic or industrial research.
Section 11
Start with books that connect mathematics to computation: Algorithms Unlocked for algorithmic thinking, Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software for hardware-software representation, and The Pattern on the Stone for a concise conceptual overview.
For lectures and visual explanation, use CS50 for introductory computer science, MIT OpenCourseWare for university-level programming and algorithms, 3Blue1Brown for mathematical intuition, and Computerphile for short explainers on computation, security and theory.
For courses, CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science gives a broad structured introduction, 6.0001 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python develops Python-based computational problem solving, 6.006 Introduction to Algorithms moves into algorithms, and Intro to Machine Learning introduces practical machine-learning evaluation.
Podcasts are useful only when they help you analyse concrete technical choices: Software Engineering Radio can support thinking about systems design trade-offs, while Darknet Diaries provides security and networks case studies that can be turned into questions about protocols, incentives and failure modes.
Turn every resource into output: a proof, a small implementation, a comparison table, or a paragraph explaining why one method fails.
Section 12
29 colleges offer this subject. 10.2% in the 2024 Cambridge-wide admissions-process table; not a Computer Science-only figure. of applicants submit an open application. Approximately 17.8% of 2024 offers were via the Winter Pool, calculated as 986 Winter Pool offers divided by 5,543 total direct plus Winter Pool offers; treat as approximate because pooling mechanics were only partially verified in the audit. of places come through the pool.
Cambridge is collegiate, with 29 undergraduate Colleges. Open applications made up 10.2% of Cambridge-wide applications in the 2024 admissions-process table, calculated as 2,257 open applications divided by 22,153 total applications; this is an all-subject Cambridge rate, not a Computer Science-only figure. The Winter Pool is Cambridge’s inter-College moderation mechanism. Based on 2024 admissions statistics, approximately 17.8% of offers were via the Winter Pool, calculated as 986 Winter Pool offers divided by 5,543 total direct plus Winter Pool offers; treat this percentage as approximate because the pooling mechanics were only partially verified in the audit.
A College choice affects who assesses the application and may affect accommodation, community, some interview arrangements and a small number of College-specific requirements. Choose on fit and logistics rather than perceived odds; an open application should be used only when you have no meaningful preference.
Section 13
Where graduates of this course head after leaving — by sector, as reported in the university’s destinations survey.
Full employer lists, median salary bands, and sector notes live on the careers data page.
Cambridge Careers identifies the IT sector as the largest destination for responding Computer Science graduates, followed by technical roles in manufacturing, utilities and power, banking and investment, and further study. The official course page also lists routes including programming, software development, research, teaching, software, hardware, games, finance, communications and commerce.
The career value of the course comes from the combination of theory, programming practice, mathematical reasoning and project work. Build evidence of those habits before applying, not waiting until university to start.
Section 14
Cambridge states that assessment can consider the applicant's educational background alongside academic record, written assessment where relevant, written work where relevant, and interview performance.
For Computer Science, Mathematics is required and Further Mathematics is recommended. If Further Mathematics is offered at the applicant's school, Cambridge expects applicants to take it to AS or A Level where possible.
If Further Mathematics is not available at the applicant's school, Cambridge advises applicants to contact shortlisted Colleges for advice before applying.
Serious disruption to study should normally be explained in the UCAS reference or by a relevant professional contacting the assessing College. Additional information for standard-deadline applicants is due by 22 October 2026.
Cambridge states that international applicants are assessed by the same academic criteria as other applicants and that overseas fee status does not create priority in selection.
Applicants eligible for interview support may be able to request disability adjustments, and UK students eligible for Free School Meals may be able to access travel or technology support for interview.
Be factual and precise about disruption. The strongest contextual information explains what happened, when it happened, how long it lasted and how it affected academic preparation.
Watch & Learn
Student vlogs, mock interviews, lecture tasters, and admissions advice.
A broad introduction to the intellectual scope of computer science and programming.
A useful introduction to lower-level programming concepts after Scratch-style abstraction.
An MIT lecture introducing computation, programming and Python problem solving.
A visual explanation of neural networks, activations and the intuition behind learning systems.
A visual introduction to Fourier transforms, useful for signal processing and applied mathematics intuition.
All videos are the property of their respective creators.
Further Reading
Super-curricular reading, websites, and tools recommended by our expert tutors.
by University of Cambridge
Primary source for current course structure, entry requirements and official admissions notes.
by Harvard University
A comprehensive first course for programming, algorithms and computational thinking.
by MIT OpenCourseWare
A rigorous Python-based introduction to computational problem solving.
by MIT OpenCourseWare
A strong algorithm-design course for advanced applicants.
by Thomas H. Cormen
Accessible algorithmic thinking from a leading algorithms author.
by British Informatics Olympiad
A highly relevant informatics competition for algorithmic problem solving.
by UK Computational Thinking Challenges
A pathway including Bebras, Oxford Computing Challenge, Perse Coding Team Challenge and BIO links.
by Grant Sanderson
A visual, mathematically minded introduction to neural-network ideas.
by Computerphile
Short explainers on computation, security and theory that can be converted into interview-style questions.
Free Resource
Free Admissions Newsletter
Weekly tips on Computer Science admissions, application deadlines, and interview prep — straight from Cambridge graduates.