Computer Science

The BA or Masters in Computer Science are three-year or four-year degree courses. Both courses are about understanding computer systems and networks at a deep level. Students decide in the summer before their third year whether they are going to stay for one more year (the BA) or two more years (the Masters).

Trinity College has a thriving community of students and academics in computer science. The College is regularly home to postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers in the Computer Science department alongside our undergraduate students. In particular, the Professorial Chair in Computing Systems is based at Trinity, which means Professor Marta Kwiatkowska is a Professorial Fellow of the College. Our Tutorial Fellow, Professor David Parker, works in the field of formal verification: mathematical techniques for checking that computerised systems function correctly. Our Senior Research Fellow Professor Janet Pierrehumbert works on the intersection between computer science and linguistics.

Admissions

We are looking for students with proven mathematical ability and a strong interest in problem-solving. You do not have to have formal qualifications in Computer Science, but you will need to be able to demonstrate how you have pursued and developed your interest in the subject.

Oxford University's supercomputer

A whiteboard with computer science diagrams and equations on it and people looking at it out of focus.

Course Details

Details of the content and assessment patterns of each year of the course are available here.

Teaching Structure

Throughout the course students will attend departmental lectures, practical laboratory sessions and tutorials. In tutorials, which are organised by the College, two or three students meet with a tutor for intensive study to follow up the students’ independent work on assignments set in advance. For an outline of a typical week for a Computer Science student, see the guide on the departmental website.

Fund/Grant Information

Trinity is able to offer financial support for travel and living costs to students undertaking internships and other research related to their degree.

Useful Additional Information

Department of Computer Science

A close-up of bicycles parked in Trinity college.

Google Maps

Trinity and the Department of Computer Science

View map

Career Prospects

The BA or Masters in Computer Science provide strong foundations for those wishing to develop a career in research, and opportunities to develop practical and professional skills, both through scheduled classes and group and individual projects. The knowledge and skills acquired through the degree are highly valued by a very wide range of employers worldwide.

Computer Science

Tutors

Marta Kwiatkowska

Professorial Fellow in Computing Systems

David Parker

Tutorial Fellow in Computer Science

Janet Pierrehumbert

Senior Research Fellow