Information for undergraduate students 2025-26

Important dates

Michaelmas term

Lent term

Easter term

All coursework deadlines (for Part 1A/1B ticks and Part II Units of Assessment) can be found in the Head of Department announcements.

University term dates

The Academic Year commences on 1 October and finishes on 30 September each year - see here for full term dates.

Workload and expectations

Term time

Each year of the Computer Science course is organised into four strands and the amount of work in each strand ranges from 8 to 12 hours per week. This translates to 48 hours a week in the most intense periods of study. Typically, per strand, this would likely be 3 hours of lectures, 2 hours private preparation for lectures, 1 supervision, 3 hours of private preparation for supervision, and 3 hours of practical work (including preparation for the practical).

Exams

84 hours of exam revision, 4 hours of exam supervisions, 6-12 hours of examinations (varies for each year group).

Practical work

Details and deadlines for Part 1A/1B ticks can be found in the Head of Department announcements. Further information can be found on individual course websites. Some practicals are run as drop-in sessions whilst others require attendance. Do read the course guidance carefully.
See guidance regarding the use of AI tools in assessed work.

Exams advice

The main exams take place in June. You can find exam timetables and other information here, including the structure of the exam papers and formal notices about deadlines for practical work together with some useful information and tips on how to be successful in your exams.

Lecture attendance

All CST students are expected to attend all lectures in-person where possible. Lectures will be recorded and distributed according to the Department's Lecture Recording Policy.

Blended learning guidance

The Department plans to provide as much in-person teaching as possible during the 2022-23 academic year.  We feel strongly that our teaching should remain rooted in residential, in-person delivery.  However, there may be occasions where this in-person teaching is blended with online activities where it is considered a better or more suitable educational experience.  

The University has produced four short videos to help you make the most of blended learning:  

1. What to Expect 
2. Approaching Blended Content 
3. Structure and Routine 
4. Wellbeing

Student Representative

The department Staff and Student Consultative Forum (SSCoF) meets twice termly. Do contact your Student Representative with any suggestions or problems you feel should be discussed at the meeting. Find your Rep’s contact details here.