How to Apply to Computer Science at Cambridge: The BA or Four-Year MEng, the Required TMUA, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese (Gaokao/A-Level/IB/AP), Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Cambridge, Computer Science is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Technology, UCAS code G400, at all Colleges. You can take a three-year BA (Hons) or a four-year course leading to a BA and a Master of Engineering (MEng). Here is what you need to know, based on Cambridge’s undergraduate admissions website, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level/IB/AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

Timing first: the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and booking for the October TMUA closed on 28 September. If you have not applied yet, plan for 2028 entry and check the dates Cambridge publishes.

1. The course

• Year 1 (Part IA): discrete and continuous mathematics, functional and object-oriented programming, operating systems, hardware and machine learning.
• Year 2 (Part IB): core topics such as logic and proof, computation theory, computer architecture, networking, compiler construction, human interaction design and artificial intelligence, plus a group project reflecting industrial practice.
• Year 3 (Part II): a wide choice of topics (computer architecture, bioinformatics, natural language processing, theory, data science, robotics and more), a substantial project and a 10,000–12,000 word dissertation.
• Year 4 (Part III, optional Masters): advanced topics and a research project. Progression currently depends on third-year exam results.
• Teaching and assessment: lectures, practical classes and small-group supervisions; in Year 1 typically 9–12 lectures, 1–2 practicals and 2–3 supervisions a week. Assessment is mainly by 3-hour written exams in the final term of each year, with some assessed coursework; resits are not usually possible.
• Extra costs: Cambridge suggests a modern entry-level laptop (about £800), ideally with half the drive set aside for Linux; books about £150 in Year 1 and £150–250 a year after.
• Changing course: rare and needs College and department agreement; students can also apply in their second or third year to change to Management Studies at the Judge Business School.

2. Entry requirements (2027 entry or deferred entry in 2028)

• A-Level: minimum A*A*A.
• IB: 41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level; IB Mathematics should be Analysis and Approaches (contact your Colleges if your school does not offer it).
• Required subjects: Mathematics, plus Further Mathematics to AS or A-Level if your school offers it. If it is not available, contact your shortlisted Colleges before applying.
• College conditions: Colleges usually require A* in Mathematics and/or Further Mathematics and may ask for A*/7 in Chemistry or Physics if taken. Most Colleges make offers at the minimum level; Churchill, Lucy Cavendish and Selwyn have extra subject requirements or may set higher offers.
• Admission test: all applicants take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) at an authorised centre and must register in advance. Applicants to Peterhouse or Trinity also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test (CSAT). Written work is not usually required.
• Past entrants: of A-Level students starting in 2018, 2019 and 2023, 87% achieved at least A*A*A*; all took Mathematics, over 97% Further Mathematics, 84% Physics and 64% Computing. Most IB students achieved at least 43 points.
• Competition: in the 2025 cycle there were about 14 applications per place and 128 students were accepted.

3. The TMUA (2027 entry)

• The test ran from 12 to 16 October 2026; applicants at the 15 October deadline had to take this sitting. Candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau could only test on 15 or 16 October.
• Registration opened on 20 July 2026 and closed on 28 September; there is an entry fee.
• Only mature applicants in the January round can sit the 4–8 January 2027 window.
• The TMUA is used by several universities, so you only need to take it once.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: most Colleges consider it suitable, in three groups:
  • Top 0.1% in your province, usually with additional achievement such as Olympiads or APs: Churchill, Clare, Downing, Emmanuel, Girton, Homerton, Hughes Hall, Lucy Cavendish, Magdalene, Peterhouse, Queens’, Trinity, Wolfson.
  • At least 90% in three relevant core subjects, or top 1–3% in your province, with up to 3 relevant ASTs recommended if you only have the Gaokao: Fitzwilliam, Murray Edwards, Newnham, Pembroke, Robinson, St Catharine’s, St John’s, Trinity Hall.
  • Gaokao alone not accepted (A-Levels, IB or 5 APs at score 5 needed): Christ’s, Corpus Christi, Gonville & Caius, Jesus, King’s, Selwyn, Sidney Sussex, St Edmund’s.
• Cambridge notes that interviews for maths-heavy courses such as Computer Science in early December will likely include Mathematics questions.
• International-school students: A-Level and IB as above; AP students need at least five AP Tests at score 5 (usually within two years), plus SAT 1500 with at least 750 in Mathematics or ACT 33 with at least 33 in Science. For courses asking for Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Cambridge strongly prefers Calculus BC.
• Transcripts: international applicants normally submit transcripts and the My Cambridge Application about a week after the UCAS deadline (22 October 2026 for 2027 entry).

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• A Canadian diploma alone is not enough: Cambridge says applicants with only a High School Diploma will not be competitive and strongly recommends further study.
• Suitable options: A-Levels; the IB; five or more APs at score 5 with an overall 90% in the diploma; or possibly a first year at a university outside the UK. Contact your chosen College about AP or first-year routes.
• AP route: also SAT 1500 (Maths 750) or ACT 33 (Science 33), ideally with Calculus BC.

6. Transfer students

• No advanced entry: you must start in first year; Cambridge does not accept credit transfer (except affiliated students who already hold a degree).
• Students at universities outside the UK: check your target College’s guidance.
• All previous university study must be declared on your UCAS application.

7. English requirements

• For interview: Cambridge recommends at least the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each element; no score is needed to apply.
• For entry: typically IELTS Academic 7.5 with 7.0 in each element, or Cambridge C2 Proficiency 200 (185 in each). The admitting College sets the condition.

8. Timeline (2027 entry, for reference)

• 28 September 2026: TMUA booking deadline.
• 15 October 2026 (18:00 UK time): UCAS deadline (passed).
• 15–16 October 2026: TMUA dates for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
• 22 October 2026: My Cambridge Application and international transcripts.
• November 2026: interview invitations; main interviews in the first three weeks of December.
• January 2027: decisions (27 January for December interviewees); offers confirmed after August results; the course starts in October.

9. Fees and funding

• International tuition (2027 entry): Computer Science is in Group 4 at £46,872 a year, fixed for the course. 2028 fees will be published by 1 October 2027.
• College fee: international students also pay a College fee, between £12,885 and £15,950 for 2027–28 (Trinity £21,063, or £14,745 after a 30% bursary).
• Funding: Cambridge says support for international undergraduates is limited, with very few full scholarships; the main sources are the Cambridge Trust and College awards.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Choose Colleges using the three Gaokao groups, or prepare A*A*A / IB 41–42 (HL 776) with Mathematics and, if available, Further Mathematics
• AP route: five 5s (ideally including Calculus BC) plus SAT 1500 (Maths 750) or ACT 33
• Register for and sit the TMUA (only two specific days in China); Peterhouse and Trinity also need the CSAT
• Prepare for a December interview with Mathematics questions; reach IELTS 7.5 (7.0 each) before entry

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Add A-Levels, the IB, or five AP 5s with a 90% diploma average and SAT/ACT
• Check College subject requirements before choosing

Transfer students:

• Start from first year with no credit transfer; read your target College’s guidance

Sources: University of Cambridge undergraduate admissions, Computer Science course page; TMUA; Application dates and deadlines; Accepted qualifications; International entry requirements; Entry and English language requirements; Transferring from another university; International fees and costs; International financial support; Department of Computer Science and Technology. Information is for 2027 entry (or deferred entry in 2028). Check Cambridge for the latest details.