How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Edinburgh: The Four-Year BSc and BEng and the Five-Year MInf, with Requirements and Timelines for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Edinburgh, undergraduate computer science is taught by the School of Informatics in the College of Science and Engineering. Scottish degrees usually take four years, with room to study other subjects in the first two years before choosing your Honours focus at the end of Year 2. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Edinburgh’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Programmes

• Computer Science BSc (Hons): UCAS code G400, four years full time.
• Computer Science BEng (Hons): UCAS code G401, four years. Edinburgh says the content is almost the same; the BEng has slightly stricter course-selection rules, requires all Honours courses to be passed and is accredited by the British Computer Society. You can swap between the two.
• Informatics MInf: a five-year undergraduate Masters, UCAS code G500.
• Related programmes: Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Mathematics, Software Engineering (BEng) and Electronics and Computer Science, each with its own requirements.
• Apply to only one computer science degree: Edinburgh can consider only one application to this subject area. Informatics programmes share compulsory courses in the early years, so you can normally switch within the School after Year 1.
• No programming background needed: everyone is taught computation from a common starting point, but you must have studied mathematics.

2. Course structure

• Year 1: principles of programming and computation, how information is represented and processed, problem solving with programs, and ethics, critical thinking and communication. At least one mathematics course is included; a diagnostic maths test from mid-August may lead to an introductory maths course.
• Year 2: more advanced programming and data structures, software development, foundations of data science, algorithms, computer systems and the social and ethical context of computing.
• Year 3: specialised options such as robotics, computer security, machine learning and AI, systems and networks, software engineering and algorithms, with the chance to study abroad.
• Year 4: advanced courses and an individual Honours project.
• Placement: the programme page lists “Placement: No”, so there is no built-in placement year.

3. Entry requirements

• A-levels: most recent offer holders achieved A*A*A* to AAB in one set of exams, with an A in Mathematics taken within two academic years of entry; other subjects are open apart from a few not accepted. GCSE English at C/4.
• IB: most recent offer holders had 43 points (HL 777) to 34 points (HL 665), with 6 in HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and 5 in SL English.
• SQA Highers: Mathematics at A, with Advanced Higher Mathematics recommended; Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted instead of Higher Mathematics.
• Application: qualifications, personal statement, English evidence and a reference. Applicants who meet or are predicted to meet the requirements enter selection, and Edinburgh reviews the full UCAS application. No interview or admissions test is mentioned.

4. Students at high schools in China

• The senior high school certificate is not normally enough: Edinburgh says it does not usually meet minimum requirements and is not currently accepted for direct entry; the one-year International Foundation Programme is a route in.
• College of Science and Engineering exception: the College will consider excellent Gaokao results on an individual basis, and students who have completed a year at a leading Chinese university may be eligible, but no score is published. Where no foundation pathway exists, a limited internal admissions test may be offered; Edinburgh says these tests will be phased out over the next few years.
• Maple Leaf (MLWSP) Diploma: for Science and Engineering, five 1.0-credit Grade 12 subjects at 80%, with required subjects at 86%; where Mathematics is required it must be Calculus.
• A-level or IB students apply directly for Year 1 with the grades above.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• British Columbia: for all Science and Engineering programmes, the Certificate of Graduation with five Grade 12 subjects at 80% and 85% in required subjects; where Maths is required it must be Calculus, so take Calculus 12.
• Other provinces: Alberta, five Grade 12 subjects at 80% with 85% in required subjects; Ontario, six 4M/U courses at 80% (no more than two 4M) with 85% in required subjects.
• Ontario conditions: OSSDs taught online only without a formal partnership are not generally accepted, and students with fewer than three years in Ontario may be asked for details of earlier studies.

6. Transfer students

• No second-year entry: the BSc, BEng and MInf pages all state “Second year entry is not available”.
• Students at other universities apply for Year 1 through UCAS and must meet the requirements above; contact Admissions about how university results are considered.

7. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component; One Skill Retake not accepted.
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): from 21 January 2026, 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in each component; before that date, 92 with at least 20 in each; MyBest not accepted.
• Others: C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 (162 in each); Oxford ELLT 7 (5 in each). IELTS and TOEFL results must be no more than two years old at the start date.
• School qualifications: GCSE English at C/4, or IB SL English at 5 (ab initio not accepted).

8. Fees

• Tuition: international students pay a fixed annual fee set by their start date, unaffected by annual increases. The amount must be checked in the fee lookup; the page read for this guide did not display it.
• Students on a Year 3 exchange pay related costs, and tuition may be reduced depending on the type and length of the exchange.

9. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• 13 January 2027, 18:00 GMT: UCAS deadline for UK, EU and international applicants.
• Programmes with places after the deadline are listed on UCAS.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A-levels: aim for A*A*A* to AAB with an A in Mathematics; IB: 34–43 points with 6 in HL Maths AA
• Senior high school only: take the International Foundation Programme, or ask Admissions whether outstanding Gaokao results could be considered
• IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each) or TOEFL 4.5 (new scale)
• Choose only one of G400, G401, G500 or another computer science programme and apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027

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

• BC Certificate of Graduation with five Grade 12 courses at 80% and Calculus 12 at 85% or above
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January

Transfer students:

• No second-year entry; apply for Year 1 and check with Admissions how university results are assessed

Sources: The University of Edinburgh, Computer Science BSc (Hons); Entry requirements; Computer Science BEng (Hons); Informatics MInf (5-year undergraduate Masters); Undergraduate programmes A to Z (2027 entry); Entry requirements for students from China; Entry requirements for students from Canada; Tuition fee lookup. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Edinburgh for the latest details.