A close up of a computer server
A computing cluster at the University
(Image Credit: John Cairns / Oxford University Images)
Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division

Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science is at the heart of computing and related interdisciplinary activity at Oxford. 

Computer science has grown rapidly in recent years and the department is home to a community of world class researchers and is consistently ranked in the Times Higher Education University Rankings amongst the very best computer science departments in the world, for both teaching and research. 

The Department of Computer Science is committed to attracting the world’s most talented students and working with them to continue the success of the department. As a student here, you will join a vibrant community working in research areas including:

  • algorithms and complexity theory
  • artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • automated verification
  • computational biology and health informatics
  • data and knowledge
  • human centred computing
  • programming languages 
  • quantum
  • security
  • systems
  • software engineering.

There is also cross-disciplinary research in areas such as linguistics, biology, medicine, quantum foundations and quantum computation.

The department’s strength comes from its firm grounding in core computer science disciplines, a high degree of mathematical sophistication among its researchers, and its committed engagement with applications and interdisciplinary work.

You will have the opportunity to meet other students and staff working across these research areas by attending seminars, workshops and lectures, and through social events organised by the Computer Science Graduate Society and the Oxford Women in Computer Science Society.

A wide range of distinguished external speakers and representatives from industry visit the department to give talks and presentations to students and staff and you will have the opportunity to talk with these visitors.

The department is home to undergraduates, full-time and part-time master's students, and has a strong doctoral programme.

Courses

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