Computer Science is an exciting degree that combines aspects of many different subject areas – including Maths, Engineering, Electronics, Psychology, Natural Sciences and Philosophy, among others. There aren't many other degree courses that touch on so many different areas and give you the opportunity to work in such varied fields.
Studying Computer Science also teaches you a wide range of skills from programming to problem solving and from critical thinking to systems thinking. These skills are all highly transferable, as is demonstrated by the number and range of companies who come to our annual Recruitment Fair to hire our graduates.
Our course teaches students the theory that underpins the principles of Computer Science and offers them hands-on experiences of putting that theory into practice.
Mateja Jamnik, Professor of Artificial Intelligence
A Computer Science degree at Cambridge is special because...
Studying Computer Science here in Cambridge offers all the advantages of the Cambridge University system. These include the college structure and supervisions (small group teaching sessions). But a Computer Science degree at Cambridge is particularly special because of our long and rich history both in developing the technology and teaching the subject.
- We started the first Computer Science department in the world in the 1930s as part of the University's Mathematical Lab.
- We built the first usable and programmable computer in the 1940s. It enabled Cambridge scientists to do the kind of computation that no-one else in the world could then do and spearheaded the research behind several Nobel Prizes in science.
- We offered the first qualification in computing (a diploma) in the 1950s, before going on to offer the full degree course.
But we don't live in the past. We moved out of our 1937 department building long ago and today we are located in the William Gates Building, a comfortable and modern purpose-built facility that offers a great environment for our students to work in.
One thing we find when we start studying Computer Science is that this is a subject that opens so many doors. We can work in many fields, doing many different things.
Computer Science undergraduate
The Computer Science degree
In our course, our goal is to impart core principles that will outlast today's technology. We don't focus on teaching you about current technology because this is constantly changing – even within the lifetime of a three-year degree course. Instead, we focus on equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge to create the future, not just cope with it.
We expect our graduates to be the ones who move the technology forward and that's why our course provides a very strong grounding in theoretical Computer Science. It ensures our graduates have long-lasting fundamental abilities and can adapt to new technologies.
Fundamentally, Computer Science is about solving very hard problems in the best possible way. One key thing you'll take away from a Cambridge degree in Computer Science is being a really good problem-solver.
Dr Sean Holden, Senior Lecturer
Further information
To find out more about the Cambridge Computer Science degree course, what it covers and how to apply, you can see below the presentation that was given at our Undergraduate Open Days in July 2024.
The student experience
You can also see this student-made video about studying Computer Science at Cambridge.
