Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford

18/06/2026

What made Alan Turing the GOAT in computer science? He’s often referred to as the father of computer science, and we’re sharing why as part of our celebrations for Pride Month, celebrating influential LGBTQIA+ computer scientists.

Image descriptions:
1: Illustration of computer scientist Alan Turing alongside a computer circuit board in Pride colours and the headline: ‘We all know Alan Turing is the GOAT in computer science, but do you remember why?’

2: Infographic, showing a three-star rating graphic used to symbolise exceptional achievement, with Alan Turing's contributions to computer science including developing the designs for what is argued to be the first modern computer and decoding the German Enigma machines.

16/06/2026

Want to know what life at Oxford could look like for you? You’re invited to our upcoming Open Days on 1 and 2 July 2026.

We're welcoming prospective students into the department to give you a taste of student life. At the Open Days you can expect a talk on our undergraduate courses and the admissions process, sample lectures, and a demonstration interview. You can also talk to our tutors and current students so please come along to ask all your questions!

Image descriptions:
1: A pale blue graphic with a rip at the top that looks makes the post look like a scrap book entry. Down the left side there are connected dots and lines that looks like a computer board, one line points to the text ‘Want to know what life at Oxford could look like for you?’. Beneath this there is text reading ‘Join us on 1 and 2 July 2026 for our Open Days’. At the bottom there is a cut out photo of a group of young Student Ambassadors smiling at the camera.

2: A green-grey graphic with a faded picture of a beige brick building in the background and a white flower in the foreground. Over the image there is text reading ‘What will it involve? Talk on our undergraduate courses & the admissions process. Demonstration interview. Chance to chat to our Student Ambassadors and tutors. Sample lectures.’

12/06/2026

What has made Audrey Tang such a main character in computer science? We think Tang is the moment, and we’re sharing why as part of our celebrations for Pride Month, celebrating influential LGBTQIA+ computer scientists.

They even gave the prestigious talk 'Good Enough Ancestor: Software Freedom as Civic Care across Generations’ in Oxford recently (22 May), did you manage to attend?

Image descriptions:
1: Illustration of non-binary computer scientist Audrey Tang alongside a computer circuit board in Pride colours and the headline: ‘Audrey Tang is giving LGBTQIA+ main character in computer science, but what made their moment?’

2: Infographic about Audrey Tang 's contributions to computer science with the Perl Archive Toolkit (PAT), and the anonymous contact tracing system they created as part of Taiwan’s COVID-19 response.

12/06/2026

Join us for the 65th Cherwell Simon Lecture on 12 June, 5pm BST, in person. We are delighted to welcome Professor Dorit Aharonov, a faculty member of the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, who will talk about quantum computation at this public lecture. Everyone is welcome to join us. More information and registration via link in bio, or https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/65th-cherwell-simon-lecture

11/06/2026

Did you miss out on attending Professor Srdjan Čapkun’s excellent Strachey Lecture? If so, you can now catch up on everything discussed, including the vulnerabilities of current satellite positioning systems, and a new security architecture that brings true digital sovereignty to the smartphone.

The lecture ‘Hardening Digital Infrastructure: Resilient Positioning and Sovereign Smartphone Architectures’, is now available to watch on our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eULfIzpUcLY

The Strachey Lectures are generously supported by OxFORD Asset Management.

Strachey Lecture: Hardening Digital Infrastructure: Resilient Posit...

10/06/2026

Department of Computer Science: Backrooms edition

Do you know these backrooms of the CS department? Many have walked through the corridors of our Wolfson Building, but not many have found these backroom spots... although they're not usually looking quite this yellow!

Image descriptions:
1: A yellowed photo of a long corridor with lots of doorways.

2: A yellowed photo of a stairwell with a door between the two sets of stairs and a glowing fire exit sign.

3: A yellowed photo of an area under some stairs filled with stacks of wood and chairs. There is a low positioned glowing light, creating an eerie look.

09/06/2026

Are you on a scroll break from your studies? Perhaps struggling with how to communicate your research? Trinity term is all about getting your head down, but it can be difficult!

So, we spoke to the department Librarian Aza Ballard-Whyte to pull out some useful books to support you in the exam season. All of her recommendations can be found in the department Library (Room 240, Wolfson Building).

Image descriptions:
1: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘Books I’d recommend to a friend who was deep in exam season: (all available in the department Library)’. Beneath this there are cut out images of books about writing for computer science and research.

2: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘Writing a Science PhD by Jennifer Boyle & Scott Ramsay’. Above this there is a cut out image of the book.

3: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘Researching Information Systems and Computing – Third Edition by Briony J. Oates, Marie Griffiths & Rachel McLean’. Above this there is a cut out image of the book.

4: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘The Craft of Research – Fifth Edition by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup & William T. FitzGerald’. Above this there is a cut out image of the book.

5: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper – Sixth Edition by Robert A. Day and Barbara Gastel’. Above this there is a cut out image of the book.

6: A blue-green lined paper graphic with the text ‘Writing for Computer Science - Third Edition by Justin Zobel’. Above this there is a cut out image of the book.

05/06/2026

Registration for the TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is now open. If you are applying for any of these courses at the University of Oxford: Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, or Mathematics and Philosophy, you will need to sit the TMUA. The test lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes and will take place on 12-16 October 2026.

The University of Oxford previously required applicants to sit the MAT (Mathematical Admissions Test), however, for the 2026 admissions round, the MAT will not take place, and all applicants will take the TMUA instead. Any applicants who have already looked at MAT past papers will find that the mathematical topics covered on the TMUA are very similar to those covered on the MAT, and the spirit of problem-solving is common to both tests.

Use this post as a guide to understand the TMUA and its key dates. Candidates register for the TMUA: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying/guide-for-applicants/admissions-tests

Look at past papers for the TMUA: https://esat-tmua.ac.uk/tmua-preparation-materials/

Join Oxford Mathematics’ summer 2026 series of online webinars on TMUA content specification and past questions: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/tmua

Check out the University of Warwick’s collection of TMUA resources: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/studywithus/ug/entrance-exams/tmua-support/

Image descriptions:
1: A green-grey background with blue text reading ‘TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) Registration open What is the TMUA? Key dates. Who must take the TMUA? How can you prepare?’ There are also two graphics at the top left and bottom right of dots and lines that look like a computer board on a pale green background.

2: A pale green background with text reading ‘What is the TMUA? TMUA = Test of Mathematics for University Admission. The Test of Mathematics for University Admission is an online admissions test, lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes.’

3: A pale green background with text reading ‘Key dates 1 June 2026: Registration opens for the TMUA (create an account, access arrangements and bursary requests) on the UAT-UK website. 20 July 2026: Test booking for the TMUA opens. 14 September 2026: Deadline for requesting access arrangements. 28 September 2026: Test booking for the TMUA closes. 12–16 October 2026: Test dates for the TMUA’.

4: A pale green background with text reading ‘Who must take the TMUA? If you are applying for one of the following courses at the University of Oxford, you will be required to sit the TMUA: Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Philosophy’.

5: A pale green background with text reading ‘How can you prepare? Look at past papers for the TMUA. Join Oxford Mathematics’ summer 2026 series of online webinars on TMUA content specification and past questions. Check out the University of Warwick’s collection of TMUA resources’.

04/06/2026

Do you know what makes Edie Windsor an iconic computer scientist? She’s a pioneer of civil rights, and her legacy still impacts LGBTQIA+ people today. We’re sharing why we think she is an LGBTQIA+ rights icon as part of our celebrations for Pride Month, celebrating influential LGBTQIA+ computer scientists.

Image descriptions:
1: Illustration of computer scientist and LGBTQIA+ rights activist Edie Windsor alongside a computer circuit board in Pride colours. Text asks: ‘Computer scientist Edie Windsor is an LGBTQIA+ rights icon, but do you know what she achieved?’

2: Infographic about Edie Windsor's career in mathematics and computer science at IBM, and her successful legal challenge to the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), which helped secure federal recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States.

28/05/2026

We’re proud to share the news that Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg and Professor Michael Wooldridge have been elected to the Fellowship of The Royal Society in recognition of their outstanding contributions to computer science and artificial intelligence.

‘Their contributions reflect the highest standards of scientific endeavour, [and] their work exemplifies the enduring value of curiosity, creativity and rigorous inquiry’ - Sir Paul Nurse, President of The Royal Society

Read the full story: https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/news/2530-full.html

Image descriptions:
1: A turquoise background and text reading ‘Congratulations to Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg and Professor Michael Wooldridge on their election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society’. Beneath there is a photo of Professor Leslie Ann Goldberg and one of Professor Michael Wooldridge. Intertwined between the images there is an Oxford blue illustration of a computer board.

2: A turquoise background and text reading ‘Professor Goldberg is Head of the Department, and her recognition comes shortly after her appointment this year to the inaugural cohort of Fellows of the Academy for the Mathematical Sciences. Her research focuses on the design and mathematical analysis of randomised algorithms, with applications spanning networks, statistical physics, learning, and computational complexity.’ Beneath there is a large image of Professor Goldberg smiling at the camera.

3: A turquoise background and text reading ‘Professor Wooldridge is Ashall Professor of the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence. He has played a major role in the development of the global AI research community through leadership positions and has published more than 450 scientific articles on the subject. He was awarded the Faraday Prize and Lecture from the Royal Society in 2025.’ Beneath there is a large image of Professor Wooldridge smiling at the camera.