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Cambridge Computer Science 2025 applicants

Hi! I got an offer from Catz for ComSci! was wondering if anyone else has any, I don't feel like I've seen any so far!

I'm not sure if I can do this, but I haven't seen any threads for this so decided to make one myself!

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Reply 1

Original post
by Raifa21
Hi! I got an offer from Catz for ComSci! was wondering if anyone else has any, I don't feel like I've seen any so far!
I'm not sure if I can do this, but I haven't seen any threads for this so decided to make one myself!

Congrats! Could you please share what you particularly did to get into Computer science , preferably your super and extra curriculars

Reply 2

Original post
by rjessha
Congrats! Could you please share what you particularly did to get into Computer science , preferably your super and extra curriculars

thanks! I did online courses, read research papers, textbooks, reading up on topics i was interested in (I was curious about NP-Completeness so mainly on that).
I also showed my capabilities for practical stuff with competitive programming and some personal projects
For personal projects, everyone does it so try to stand out by doing industry-standard level applications in both quality and scale.
good luck

Reply 3

Original post
by Raifa21
thanks! I did online courses, read research papers, textbooks, reading up on topics i was interested in (I was curious about NP-Completeness so mainly on that).
I also showed my capabilities for practical stuff with competitive programming and some personal projects
For personal projects, everyone does it so try to stand out by doing industry-standard level applications in both quality and scale.
good luck

So sorry for disturbing but for competitive programming would doing codeforces be enough?

Reply 4

Original post
by rjessha
So sorry for disturbing but for competitive programming would doing codeforces be enough?

I mean up to you, like at the end of the day it’s just how much you are willing to do
I did codeforces and atcoder, but I didn’t even talk about it in my ps because it was just for fun

Reply 5

Congratulations for getting into Cambridge for Comp. Sci. I have few questions if you don't mind.
1) As u said u did competitive programming, I would like to do it too. So did u take part in any competition?
2) Can you tell what Computer Science at Cambridge uni actually is?
3) For personal projects, any examples or ideas?
Other than that can you suggest any things which would be really beneficial to add for ps?

Thanks.

Reply 6

Original post
by IntelligentGuy
Congratulations for getting into Cambridge for Comp. Sci. I have few questions if you don't mind.
1) As u said u did competitive programming, I would like to do it too. So did u take part in any competition?
2) Can you tell what Computer Science at Cambridge uni actually is?
3) For personal projects, any examples or ideas?
Other than that can you suggest any things which would be really beneficial to add for ps?
Thanks.


Hi!
1) competitive programming is mostly done on websites like codeforces which host weekly competitions online, they have different levels but expect not being able to do more than 1 question for a while in the easiest competitions, it’s not easy
2) I’m not exactly sure what you mean by the question! But if you want to know about the syllabus, maybe try looking at the Cambridge website? They have info about it there.
3) try to find something you find inconvenient in your daily life, and make something to make it easier? Or look at the Coding Adventure series by Sebastian League, they do interesting projects there
But if you’re applying to Cambridge, I’d suggest doing quite a lot of wider reading on theoretical computer science; read a textbook or research paper or something? Find a part of computer science which interests you
Good luck :smile:

Reply 7

current comspci at cambridge rn lmk if you have any questions!!

Reply 8

Original post
by emkelt
current comspci at cambridge rn lmk if you have any questions!!

How is the TMUA test for admissions and the interview? Do they ask questions related to data structures or any comp sci stuff in interview? Also, as you would have done A-level Comp Sci i am guessing, can you suggestions of some good NEA project ideas to make ? (Sorry as this question is off topic)
(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 9

Original post
by emkelt
current comspci at cambridge rn lmk if you have any questions!!

Looking forward to seeing you next year! (if you’re not a third year)
Do you know if there’s any competitive programming groups in Cambridge? I know trinity goes to ICPC every year, but is there one I can be in which isn’t Trinity? Or does Trinity’s team accept people from other colleges?
Thanks in advance

Reply 10

Original post
by IntelligentGuy
How is the TMUA test for admissions and the interview? Do they ask questions related to data structures or any comp sci stuff in interview? Also, as you would have done A-level Comp Sci i am guessing, can you suggestions of some good NEA project ideas to make ? (Sorry as this question is off topic)

The TMUA was really hard compared to A level (I did scottish advanced higher, but theyre similar enough). But honestly you'll be fine if you're good at maths. There was some good youtube videos with tips i found saved me a lot of time (cant remember the name but should be findable). Really get to know your logic stuff -- useful for Paper 2. I loved the logic part of it and paper 2 carried me (lowkey bombed paper 1). If you prepare a lot then it should be fine! It can depend about the data structure stuff in interview, if they've seen that you have done compsci A level they probably could ask you a question where the answer could involve arrays, but you won't get anything leetcode style where you have to know complex data structures. they could ask you a question where the answer implements some computer science concept - but you dont have to know it to answer the question. the interviews are more to test your thinking than to test the knowledge you already have.
for my NEA I did a password manager with RSA encryption, some of my friends did a 3D gravity simulator, bookshop management tool, stock market price indicator. Honestly choose whatever interests you/ notice problems around you in everyday life.
lmk if you see anymore help!!

Reply 11

Original post
by Raifa21
Looking forward to seeing you next year! (if you’re not a third year)
Do you know if there’s any competitive programming groups in Cambridge? I know trinity goes to ICPC every year, but is there one I can be in which isn’t Trinity? Or does Trinity’s team accept people from other colleges?
Thanks in advance

Yeah! I'm currently first year :smile:
https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/organisation/16321/ <- they have a uni wide competitive programming society. I dont usually go to their events but Im on the mailing list. they do workshops, lectures, and I assume they do actually compete? theres also CUATS which is the algorithmic trading society and they may do similar things
Im not familiar w the trinity team -- but worth a shot asking.

Reply 12

Original post
by emkelt
The TMUA was really hard compared to A level (I did scottish advanced higher, but theyre similar enough). But honestly you'll be fine if you're good at maths. There was some good youtube videos with tips i found saved me a lot of time (cant remember the name but should be findable). Really get to know your logic stuff -- useful for Paper 2. I loved the logic part of it and paper 2 carried me (lowkey bombed paper 1). If you prepare a lot then it should be fine! It can depend about the data structure stuff in interview, if they've seen that you have done compsci A level they probably could ask you a question where the answer could involve arrays, but you won't get anything leetcode style where you have to know complex data structures. they could ask you a question where the answer implements some computer science concept - but you dont have to know it to answer the question. the interviews are more to test your thinking than to test the knowledge you already have.
for my NEA I did a password manager with RSA encryption, some of my friends did a 3D gravity simulator, bookshop management tool, stock market price indicator. Honestly choose whatever interests you/ notice problems around you in everyday life.
lmk if you see anymore help!!

Bro that was really helpful!! Thank you for the deep insights you have provided 👏🏼👏🏼.

Reply 13

Original post
by Raifa21
thanks! I did online courses, read research papers, textbooks, reading up on topics i was interested in (I was curious about NP-Completeness so mainly on that).
I also showed my capabilities for practical stuff with competitive programming and some personal projects
For personal projects, everyone does it so try to stand out by doing industry-standard level applications in both quality and scale.
good luck

What were your gcse grades and a level predicted grades. Also were ur contextual and ur tmua score

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