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IB Requirements for Computer Science: UK and European Universities (2027 Entry)
2 min readBy Renzo DiazLast reviewed October 7, 2026
For computer science, Mathematics at Higher Level is the one subject every offer names, and most name a 7 in it. Cambridge asks for 41–42 points with 776 at HL and Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA); Oxford for 39 with a 7 in HL Mathematics and no preference between AA and Applications and Interpretation (AI); Imperial for a minimum of 41 with 7s in HL Mathematics and another relevant subject. Warwick and Edinburgh take AA only, and most programmes set an admissions test: the TMUA at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Warwick, the TARA at UCL. In continental Europe, TU Delft teaches Computer Science and Engineering in English, requires AA HL and selects by test and lottery.
This page gathers what six UK computer science programmes and six continental universities ask of an IB Diploma student entering in 2027, from each university's own pages. Computer science is the subject where the Mathematics grade carries the most weight: it is the one subject every offer names.
Each row is a starting point. Read the page of your own programme and year before choosing subjects.
In computer science offers, the Mathematics grade is the condition that every university names.
Key takeaways
- HL Maths, usually a 7: every UK programme checked requires Mathematics at HL, and five of the six name a 7 or a 776 pattern.
- AA leans ahead: 3 of 6 UK programmes require or ask for AA, 1 prefers it, 2 accept AI with no preference.
- No Physics needed: none of the UK programmes requires it, though some Cambridge Colleges may ask for a 7 in a science taken.
- A test almost everywhere: the TMUA at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Warwick, the TARA at UCL; Edinburgh sets none.
Six UK computer science programmes, side by side
The IB requirement, the Mathematics condition, the A-level offer for comparison, and the admissions test of each programme, as the course page states them for 2027 entry.
| University | Programme | IB requirement | Mathematics | A-level offer | Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Computer Science | 41–42 points, 776 at HL; most IB entrants had at least 43 | AA asked for, at HL | A*A*A, with Maths | TMUA; CSAT at two Colleges |
| Oxford | Computer Science | 39 with core, 766 at HL | 7 at HL; AA or AI, no preference | A*AA, with A*A in Maths and Further Maths if available | TMUA and interview |
| Imperial | Computing | Minimum 41; typical 42 | 7 at HL, plus a 7 in another relevant HL subject; AA or AI | A*A*A to A*AAA, A* in Maths | TMUA |
| UCL | Computer Science | 40; 20 at HL | 7 at HL; AA preferred | A*A*A, A* in Maths or Further Maths | TARA |
| Warwick | Computer Science | 39 with 7,6,6 at HL | 7 at HL; AA only | A*A*A, A* in Maths | TMUA |
| Edinburgh | Computer Science | Recent offers 43 (777) to 34 (665) | 6 at HL; AA only | A*A*A* to AAB | None |
Sources: each university's course page for 2027 entry, read 7 October 2026 (Oxford's AA/AI wording from its Computer Science department). Imperial's typical offer is based on its 2025 entrants; Edinburgh publishes the range of recent offers. Contextual offers are left out.
What the UK offers have in common
Every offer is built around Mathematics. All six programmes require it at Higher Level, and five set a 7 or a 776 pattern; Edinburgh asks for a 6 at HL within a range of recent offers. No programme requires Physics, though Cambridge notes that some Colleges may ask for a 7 in Chemistry or Physics if the student takes it.
The Mathematics course divides them. Cambridge asks for AA, and Warwick and Edinburgh take AA only; UCL accepts AI but prefers AA; Oxford and Imperial accept either, Oxford's department adding that it has no preference between them. Five of the six also set a test, and the TMUA dominates: it is the Mathematics-reasoning test of Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Warwick. What it covers beyond the IB is set out in TMUA for IB students.
Minimum and typical
Cambridge reports the gap
Cambridge's minimum offer for Computer Science is 41–42 points, but it reports that most of its IB entrants achieved at least 43. Imperial's Computing sets a minimum of 41 and a typical offer of 42.
Computer science in continental Europe
On the Continent the IB condition is usually set for the whole university, and the language of teaching narrows the choice. TU Delft is the clearest English-taught option among those checked, with a fixed number of places and its own selection.
| University | Programme | IB condition | Teaching language | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich | Computer Science | 38 of 42 without bonus; Maths (AA or AI), a science and a Language A at HL | German, C1 certificate | Admission on the IB rule; otherwise a reduced entrance exam |
| EPFL | Computer Science | 38 of 42; Maths and Physics at HL with at least 6; chemistry, biology or computer science at HL | French, B2 required | Places capped, ranked by IB points |
| TUM | Informatics | German IB rule: Maths at HL for science and engineering, at least 4 in every subject | German, some courses in English | Aptitude assessment, which can include a written test |
| TU Delft | Computer Science and Engineering | AA at HL | English track (345 places) or bilingual track | 590 places for 2027–28; tests in Mathematics and reasoning, then a lottery by category; apply by 15 January 2027 |
| Bocconi | Mathematical and Computing Sciences for AI; Management and Computer Science | No subject requirement | English | A test (55%) and school grades of the two years before the last (45%) |
| Politecnico di Milano | Computer engineering | Italian rule: the Diploma with 24 points, 12 at HL | Italian only at bachelor level | Admission test |
Sources: ETH's country list for 2026/27, EPFL's current admission criteria, the German agreement on the IB Diploma (KMK, 2023) and TUM's programme page, TU Delft's diploma requirements and its 2027–28 selection page, Bocconi's admission pages for 2027–28, Politecnico di Milano's programme page; read 7 October 2026.
Check first
EPFL asks for Physics even here
EPFL's IB rule is the same for every bachelor programme, Computer Science included: Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level with at least a 6, and a third science at HL.
How to plan the IB for computer science
Three decisions, in order
Take Mathematics at Higher Level and aim for the 7
It is the one condition every programme above names, and most set the 7.
Choose AA if any shortlisted course names it
AA keeps Cambridge, Warwick, Edinburgh and TU Delft open; with AI HL, Oxford, Imperial and UCL remain.
Prepare for the TMUA alongside the IB
Four of the six UK programmes set it, and it tests reasoning the IB does not teach directly.
Terms used in this article
- AA and AI
- The two IB Mathematics courses: Analysis and Approaches, built around algebra, calculus and proof, and Applications and Interpretation, built around modelling and statistics.
- 766 and 776 at HL
- Grades of 7, 6 and 6, or 7, 7 and 6, in the three Higher Level subjects.
- TMUA
- The Test of Mathematics for University Admission: two papers of 20 multiple-choice questions, without a calculator.
- TARA
- The Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions, which UCL sets for Computer Science.
- Numerus fixus
- A Dutch programme with a fixed number of places and its own selection procedure, such as Computer Science and Engineering at TU Delft.
Questions about IB requirements for computer science
What IB score do you need for computer science at Cambridge?
41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level, and most IB entrants had at least 43. Cambridge asks for Mathematics (AA) at HL and sets the TMUA.
Can I study computer science with IB Math AI?
At Oxford, Imperial and UCL. Oxford and Imperial accept AI at HL with no preference stated, and UCL accepts it but prefers AA; Cambridge asks for AA, and Warwick, Edinburgh and TU Delft take AA only.
Do I need IB Physics for computer science?
Not in the UK programmes checked. Some Cambridge Colleges may ask for a 7 in Chemistry or Physics if you take it, and EPFL requires Physics at HL for every bachelor programme.
Do I need the TMUA for computer science?
At Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Warwick, yes. UCL sets the TARA instead, and Edinburgh sets no test.
Where can I study computer science in English in continental Europe?
Among those checked, TU Delft and Bocconi. TU Delft's Computer Science and Engineering has an English track and requires AA at HL; Bocconi's two computing degrees select on a test and school grades.
Written by
Teaching IB since 2016. Seven years of IB reviews you can check on Google — and named results with the documents behind them.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026
Sources
Every requirement comes from the university's own course or admissions page, or from the national body named, read on 7 October 2026 for entry in 2027 (ETH and EPFL: their current rules). Check the page for your programme and year before relying on it.
- University of Cambridge — Computer Science, entry requirements
- University of Oxford — Computer Science
- University of Oxford, Department of Computer Science — Offers
- Imperial College London — Computing BEng
- UCL — Computer Science BSc
- University of Warwick — BSc Computer Science
- University of Edinburgh — Computer Science, entry requirements
- ETH Zurich — Admission requirements, non-Swiss certificates
- EPFL — Bachelor admission criteria
- TUM — Informatics BSc
- TU Delft — Computer Science and Engineering, selection procedure
- TU Delft — Specific diploma requirements
- Bocconi — Admissions, 2027–28