Image of Computer Science image

Computer Science

  • Number of students per year: six
  • Typical offer: A*A*A or equivalent
  • Essential subjects: A-Level Mathematics
  • Useful subjects: A-Level Further Mathematics, Computing

Computer Science is concerned with the study of how information and data can be manipulated and computed. It increasingly underpins many other disciplines.

The Department of Computer Science and Technology in the University of Cambridge has an excellent track record in attracting some of the best students nationally and internationally. 

Jesus College has taught many students since the Department was founded. We have one Computer Science Fellow, one Emeritus Fellow and one Bye-Fellow who share the role of Director of Studies over the four years of the course, arranging supervisors who include Jesus postgraduate students.

Professor Cecilia Mascolo is a world leading researcher in mobile systems and is teaching on some very topical subjects such as mobile and wearable systems and machine learning. Professor Jean Bacon is the author of books on operating systems and concurrent systems which have been adopted worldwide for teaching these subjects. Dr Chris Town researches and teaches in pattern recognition for vision and imaging domains. 

Former Jesus Computer Science students are now working for world leading computing organisations such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, as well as universities, financial enterprises, and startups.

Please see the Department of Computer Science and Technology web page for more details about the Computer Science course. 

Find out more on the University webpage.
What we look for

Requirements

Our typical conditional offer is two A* grades and one A grade at A-Level, or equivalent. If you are studying four relevant A-Levels you may be asked for A*A*AA. You don't need to take a Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) or Advanced Extension Awards (AEA).

An A-Level or equivalent in Maths is essential. Further Maths A-Level is strongly recommended, if available. A-Level Computing is useful but by no means required. We prefer it if you have had some programming experience or background knowledge of computing either in or outside school, in order to demonstrate your interest and aptitude.

Any other science or arts subjects of a rigorous academic nature including History, languages etc, are welcomed. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is only relevant as a general background to using computers for any subject, rather than specialist Computer Science, and General Studies is not included in A-Level offers.

When making offers we take into consideration your workload, giving credit for more than three A-Levels, and the level of teaching support available at your school.

Written assessment

Applicants for Computer Science are required to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college). This assessment will take place in mid-October and you must register in advance. For more information, see the University undergraduate Computer Science pages and the TMUA website. 

Interviews

In 2023-24, we’ll be interviewing shortlisted applicants virtually, with interviews taking place in December.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject. Candidates are typically interviewed by at least three subject specialists, including the Director of Studies, and total contact time will be between 35-50 minutes in total. This could be in a single interview, or in two separate interviews. Further details will be made available to candidates closer to the time.

Find out more about the interview process on the University website.

Written work

You don't need to submit any written work.

Deferred and post A-Level entry

We're happy to consider applications for deferred or post A-Level entry in Computer Science. If you defer we'll ask you about your gap year plans at interview.

Find out how to apply to study at Jesus.

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