Computer Science at Oxford

From Computer Science at Oxford

We hold a range of events throughout the year for prospective students, and for schools groups. Details can be found below.

Enquiries regarding admissions should be sent to undergraduate.admissions@cs.ox.ac.uk. Our Publicity and Schools Liaison Officer, Suzanna Marsh, can be contacted by e-mail at suzanna.marsh@cs.ox.ac.uk.

Teacher or prospective student? Sign up to receive email updates about our open days, and other events and activities for school-age pupils and prospective students.

Open Days

Open days are held at the Department to provide prospective students (and their families/teachers) with an opportunity to meet current staff and students, to see demonstrations of project work done by our students and the research work of the Department, to hear a short talk about university-level Computer Science, and to get answers to any questions you have.

Individuals and family groups do not need to book for the open days in July or September.

If you wish to attend the May event, please use the booking form below.

For any queries, please email opendays@cs.ox.ac.uk

Many colleges also have open days that coincide with the Science days, so you may like to co-ordinate a visit to the Department or another science department with a visit to a college.

A map and directions to the Department of Computer Science is available. We strongly recommended that you use public transport, if at all possible. If you do travel by car, please note that parking in the city centre is very limited. There are several Park & Ride bus services which run from car parks on the outskirts of Oxford. Drivers coming from the east, including London, the south and the west are advised to use the Redbridge Park & Ride, while drivers arriving from the north can choose between Pear Tree and Water Eaton. Please avoid both the Thornhill and Seacourt Park & Rides which are often full.

2012 Open Days

Dates for the 2012 open days are as follows:

• Saturday 5 May 2012 (booking required)
• Wednesday 27 June 2012
• Thursday 28 June 2012
• Friday 14 September 2012

Details will appear here when they become available.

Other Events for Young People & Schools Groups

February Half Term Admissions Talk: Computer Science

Tuesday 14th February, 11am - 12:30pm. Booking essential.

The Undergraduate Admissions Office is organizing admissions talks during half term week (the week beginning 13 February 2012.) At 11.00 each day (Monday to Friday) there will be a general admissions talk followed by a question and answer session suitable for all prospective applicants. Those interested in studying Computer Science (including joint degrees) should book onto the talk on Tuesday 14th of February when there will be a Computer Science tutor present to answer specific questions. Many colleges will also be offering tours.

Further information and details of how to book onto the talk and tours on the University’s main website.

If you are unable to attend on the Tuesday, but are visiting the city at some other time during the week, please do drop us an email at opendays@cs.ox.ac.uk and we’ll try to organise an alternative time to have a one-to-one chat with you, in the Department.

Computer Science and Philosophy Taster Day (Year 11-12s, at UK Schools)

Thursday 15th March 2012, 9:30 — 4pm. Free.

Some of the greatest thinkers of the past — from Aristotle to Turing — dreamed of automated reasoning and what this might achieve. This taster day provides an opportunity to find out more about how computers have now made this a reality. Oxford University has introduced a new undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Philosophy. This event is ideal for those interested in learning more about the course and who are considering applying for a 2013 (or later) start. It is also aimed at those with a passion for Mathematics, but who are undecided about what to study at university; and those who already have an interest in one or other (or both) subjects and would like to find out more.

Bookings open. First come, first served. Further info and booking: www.cs.ox.ac.uk/CSPhiloday

Women in Computer Science Day (Year 11-12 Women at UK schools)

Wednesday 21st March 2012, 9:15am — 4pm

Not sure what Computer Science is? Think it's all about using Microsoft Word and Excel? Locking yourself away in a darkened room for ours, with no links to the real world? Think again!

• meet women (and men) who work in the Computer Science field — find out how they're changing the world: from automatically translating text from one language to another; to modelling the human body as part of the fight against cancer. From developing robots that can be used to help rescuers in disaster zones; to protecting individuals from cyber criminals.
• try out our hands-on activity
• visit an Oxford college — find out what its really like to live and study at Oxford
• find out what computer science really is — it's not just ICT and it certainly isn't just for boys and geeks.
• learn about the Oxford Computer Science degrees — including guidance on the application process

The day will combine lots of short talks, a couple of longer lectures, and a practical hands-on session. Plus a tour of an Oxford College. Speakers and session-leaders will include Oxford University lecturers and researchers and there will be the chance to meet current Oxford students.

This event is open to Year 11 and 12 girls from UK schools. Students should be taking, or planning on taking A Level Maths (or equivalent), and expect to achieve at least AAB at A Level. It is aimed at students who are thinking about doing a Maths-related degree at University, but unsure as to exactly what. As well as at those who already have an interest in Computer Science.

Further information and how your school can book places: www.cs.ox.ac.uk/WomeninCS/

Women in Science Easter Residential 2012 (Year 12 Women, at UK State Schools)

2-4 April 2012

This three-day residential course is aimed at academically able Year-12 female students from UK State schools, who are considering studying science subjects at university.

The academic programme will include taster sessions in a range of subjects including Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials Science and Computer Science. In addition, participants will find out about the range of career opportunities for science graduates. The residential will give participants a taste of university life and information on studying science at university. Participants will stay in Jesus College, and take part in social activities in the evenings.

All students must be studying at least 2 sciences at AS level or equivalent (maths & further maths count as science subjects). All students must have at least 6 A and/or A* grades at GCSE. Further selection criteria are detailed in the event information pages.

The deadline for applications is Friday 10 February 2012.

Further information and applications details

Further Maths — What Next? (Year 12s, at UK Schools)

Thursday 19th April, 9:15 — 4:30pm. Free.

Doing Further Maths A Level, but not sure what you want to do at University? Talented at Maths, but not sure you want to do something that abstract at Uni? Want to know a bit more about Maths–related degree subjects that don't appear on the school curriculum? Oxford's Department of Computer Science are delighted to welcome A Level students to the first "Further Maths — What Next?" event. The day draws together subject areas from across the University who are looking for prospective students with a real aptitude for Maths. Attendees will attend a range of short taster sessions on subjects including: Earth Sciences, Materials Science, Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Maths and Statistics: all subjects that list Further Maths as either a 'highly desirable' or 'helpful' A Level for Oxford applicants to have.

Sorry, this event is now full. Further info and booking

UNIQ Summer School - Computer Science (Year 12s, at UK State Schools)

15-20 July 2012

The Computer Science UNIQ summer school is a week-long academic course developed and taught by Oxford tutors and has been designed to give you an idea of what it would be like to study Computer Science at Oxford. If you are selected to attend, you’ll spend a week (Sunday to Friday) learning a subject in depth. You’ll learn about the application process at the University of Oxford and meet alumni of the University and current students. You’ll also get the opportunity to stay in one of the colleges of the University of Oxford and take part in a range of evening activities.

One of last year’s Computer Science participants commented: “Lectures were brilliant, lectures and helpers were very approachable and good at explaining anything you didn't understand. Good level of teaching, no too hard, yet wasn't easy to complete.”

The UNIQ summer schools are provided free of charge to participants. All food and accommodation is free, including all academic and social activities. Travel in advance, from a nearby town or city is also paid for.

The summer school is open to high-performing students in their first year of lower sixth form study (Year 12) at a UK state school. You will need to be taking Maths to A2, Advanced Higher or Higher IB. Further Maths and science subjects are also useful. The aim of the summer schools is to award places to those who would benefit the most from the aspiration-raising activities that are at the heart of the summer school experience. Therefore, we give preference to applicants who come from schools with little or no history of successful application to Oxford, and to applicants who live in postcode areas in which we would expect fewer young people to go on to Higher Education.

Applications are now open and will close at 7PM on the 23 February 2012.

Further information and application details

Events for Teachers

Maths & Science Teachers’ Conference

'Wednesday 4 July 2012, At-Bristol Science Learning Centre

This event aims to:

• equip teachers with additional tools and resources to support maths and science students in their own schools and colleges who are considering progressing to STEM subjects at Oxford and other leading universities.
• offer teachers a stimulating programme of seminars with leading Oxford tutors that we hope will extend their own interest in these subjects, as well as the students they teach.
• provide advice and guidance on the Oxford admissions process from identifying and supporting candidates to admissions testing and interviews.

The seminar options (including a computer science option) will include practical work and topics that teachers will be able to develop in their own institutions.

Further info and booking: