Here in the Department, we want to inspire more people to think about study and careers in Computer Science and Technology. So we offer a programme of activities to engage the public, enthuse prospective students and encourage wider participation.
Cambridge Festival
We open our doors to the public every spring, running a day of events and activities at the Cambridge Festival. In March 2025, visitors were able to tour a supercomputer, meet robots and make music with code along with other activities ranging from making binary bracelets to enjoying a pirate-themed computer science escape room. We're now planning for our Cambridge Festival day in March 2026.
Undergraduate Open Days
We take part in the University's annual Cambridge Open Days in July where would-be undergraduates can find out what it's like to study here. Here, we offer an admissions talk, tours, hands-on activities, a sample lecture and opportunities to meet students and academic staff and ask questions about studying here. In 2025 the Open Days will take place on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July.
The Cambridge Open Day in September is a smaller in-person Open Day focused on the Colleges. Many Colleges open for tours, talks and drop-in sessions. See details and how to register here.
Undergraduate study events
The University and colleges offer many events throughout the year where prospective undergraduates can find out more about subjects they're interested in studying here, hear about the admissions process, discover College life is like, and pick up lots of useful information. They include events for students of African and Caribbean origin, for students with experience of being in care, and for students who identify as female or non-binary and who are interested in studying science. Browse the full list of undergraduate study events here.
Sutton Trust Summer School
The Department offers a Sutton Trust Computer Science Summer School every year. The Summer School in August 2024 offered participants the opportunity to learn about algorithms, experiment with computer graphics and attend lectures on cybersecurity and computer architecture while living in a Cambridge college. The Summer School will run again in August 2025.
STEM SMART
The Department takes part in STEM SMART, a free programme that supports students in raising their attainment at school and developing their confidence to apply to study sciences (including Computer Science) at top universities. You can find out more here. A recently published analysis showed that more than 700 state school students who were given free weekly tutoring via STEM SMART following the COVID-19 pandemic saw their A-level grades rise and secured places at top universities – including Cambridge and Oxford. Read more details here.
Physics at Work
Many of our undergraduates and researchers take Physics as one of their A Level subjects and apply their learning and skills in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics. In September 2023, we took part in the three-day Physics at Work event, showing 14-16-year-olds some of the practical problems in Computer Science that physics can be used to solve. We'll be participating again in September 2025.
Women in Computer Science programme
The Women in Computer Science programme is a sustained programme running over five months that gives female and non-binary students in Year 12 an insight into what studying Computer Science at university is like.
The programme involves discussion groups which introduce students to different areas of Computer Science, and completing a research project in an area of their choice under the guidance of a current University of Cambridge student. All students who submit a completed research project will be invited to a residential event in Cambridge to celebrate their achievement, where they can meet each other in person and experience Cambridge for themselves. You can find out more about the programme here.
Postgraduate Open Day
For those considering applying for the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science and/or the PhD in Computer Science, the virtual Cambridge Postgraduate Open Days are a great opportunity to talk to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges online and find out more about courses, application process and funding opportunities. The 2023 Cambridge Postgraduate Open Days ran 23 - 27 October, with the Department's session taking place on Thursday 26 October 2023. You can watch a recording of that session here.
Contact details
If you have any questions about our outreach and public engagement activities please contact us at outreach-admin@cst.cam.ac.uk
