Computer Science
Computer Science at Cambridge is designed to equip you for a broad and exciting industry moving at a fast pace.
At a glance
A Level requirements: A*A*A
IB requirements: 41-42 points overall with 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level
Subject requirements: Mathematics and Further Mathematics (A Level), Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Higher Level (IB)
Average students per year: 8
Admissions assessment: Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA)
Written work: None
Admissions
Course overview
The Cambridge course emphasises the core principles of Computer Science, taught through specific examples, that will enable you to grasp any new programming language or innovation. Students come to Cambridge with a wide range of backgrounds and experience, but whether you are a beginner or experienced in some aspect of Computer Science, you will work on material that is both accessible and challenging in the best way. The Computer Science course is a three-year degree, with an optional fourth year for high-performing students. King's usually admits around eight Computer Science students each year, making it one of the larger cohorts at Cambridge.
For more information about the course and its modules, visit the University website.
Admissions assessment
Candidates for Computer Science must take the TMUA, which is a pre-registration required test. For more information about the test, please see the University website.
What we look for in an applicant
At King's, we look to admit candidates who are passionate about computer science. The best candidates will often have computing-related projects of their own that they've developed outside of school that they can tell us about. We also look for strong mathematical ability, as mathematics underlies a lot of important ideas in Computer Science.
A top tip for applicants
Start thinking now about how you can prove your passion for computer science. You could start up your own computing projects at home, like learning an interesting programming language or designing a hardware project with a Raspberry Pi. Do something exciting with it, and tell us about it in your personal statement!
Find out more
You can find out more about Computer Science by visiting the University website and the Department of Computer Science and Technology website.
King’s also runs Open Days and residentials where you can get a taste of what life here is like.
Life as a King's CS student
A typical day for undergraduate Computer Science students will start with morning lectures, followed by supervisions or lab work. In lectures delivered by leading experts, King’s students learn alongside students from other Colleges. The rest of their work time will be spent studying, which could involve reading, revising, solving problems, or programming to develop their understanding of the topics they're learning.
Supervisions are organised by the College, with an average of two to three supervisions per week. Supervision groups are small, with two, possibly three, students and an experienced supervisor, usually a Fellow, postdoctoral researcher or doctoral student. Supervisions are the heart of the Cambridge teaching and learning system. For a Computer Science supervision, students usually complete homework in advance, which is submitted to the supervisor for marking. This could cover any aspect of their studies, including mathematical or practical topics. During the session, the supervisor will help the students understand difficult parts of the topic, and the students can ask any questions they like to help improve their understanding. Fascinating conversations can often develop which lead to new insights into the subject.
Studies are guided by one of our Directors of Studies. Each cohort of students typically has the same Director of Studies throughout their degree, providing a personalised approach to students’ learning journeys. Regular meetings with the Director of Studies are complemented by access to specialised support available across the college. The Computer Science Directors of Studies are Professor Jamie Vicary (Category Theory), Professor Alice Hutchings (Security), Dr Umang Bhatt (Trustworthy AI), and Professor Janet Davis (Human Computer Interaction).
King’s is located in central Cambridge, in close proximity to the Department of Computer Science & Technology and the ‘Silicon Fen’ tech hub.
Studying Computer Science at King’s means being part of a supportive, friendly community. Our cohort has eight students, and there is a real sense of connection across different year groups as well as with the Fellows. Weekly pizza nights, which have become a highlight, and other informal gatherings make it easy to get to know everyone. It creates an environment where you feel supported both academically and personally.
- Summer, 1st year
One of the things I’ve appreciated about studying Computer Science at King’s is how relaxed the College environment is, alongside the demanding course. With one of the larger CS cohorts at Cambridge, there’s a friendly group to share the workload with. The weekly pizza socials are also a nice midweek break where you can catch up with people in other years and hear about interesting things people are working on. And knowing you’re studying Computer Science at Alan Turing’s college doesn’t hurt either…
- Avaneesh, 1st year
Careers and graduate opportunities
Graduates from our course have gone on to have fulfilling careers in a wide range of fields, including software engineering, hardware development, consultancy, finance, and research. Many world-leading start-ups have been launched by our alumni. Our Computer Science students often engage with internships during their degrees. At King’s, we have strong links to industry through connections with our alumni and fellows.
To find out more about careers after a Cambridge Computer Science degree, take a look at the University's Career Service website. You can also access a full list of organisations who are members of the Department of Computer Science and Technology's Supporters Club. These organisations support research and teaching in the Department, including proposing and offering feedback on student projects, delivering technical talks to students, and attending the Department's annual recruitment fair.
