The Joint Mathematics and Computer Science (JMC) programmes are taught jointly by the Department of Computing and the Department of Mathematics.

These courses cover the essentials of computer science but with a firm foundation in mathematics.

They may particularly appeal to those who have a specific interest in mathematics and wish to learn how it applies to computing.

All students undertake both group and individual project work. Students on the four-year courses also undertake a four-month industrial placement.

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Teaching is divided equally between the two departments. The courses are unit based: two units are taken from each department in both the first and second years. In both the third and fourth year, you select a total of four units to support your particular interests and areas of specialisation. In your final year you carry out a substantial individual project under supervision.

Teaching is via a mixture of lectures, tutorials and project work. In each year, two terms are spent on lectures and structured laboratory work. The third term focuses on examinations and project work.

Year 1

Computing

• Architecture
• Computer Algebra Project
• Logic
• Programming I, II and III
• Ethics in Computing
• Reasoning About Programs
• Laboratory

Mathematics

• Mathematical Methods
• Foundations of Analysis
• Applied Methods and Linear Algebra
• Algebra and Analysis

Year 2

Computing

• Software Engineering Design
• C++ Introduction
• Laboratory
• Introduction to Prolog
• Operating Systems
• Team Skills Development
• Introduction to Perl
• Human-Centred Design

Plus three courses selected from this list

• Compilers
• Concurrency
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Models of Computation
• Software Engineering – Algorithms
• Databases

Mathematics

• Introduction to Numerical Analysis
• Statistical Methods

Plus one course selected from this list

• Multivariable Calculus
• Real Analysis

Plus one course selected from this list

• Non-linear Waves
• Complex Analysis
• Statistical Modelling I

Joint Courses: one course selected from this list

• 2nd year Computing Group Project
• 2nd year Maths Group Project

Year 3

In the third year, BEng students take seven option courses, including at least two technical courses from each department. These must include Software Engineering - Methods.  Students also complete an individual project in either the Mathematics or Computing department.

MEng students take eight option courses including two technical courses from each department. These must include Software Engineering - Methods.  You will be guided in planning your third and fourth year programme as an integrated whole.  There is a JMC industrial placement which runs from June to September with one of our partner companies. 

Option courses are selected from a wide range offered by each department - a typical selection is listed below but it can change from year to year. You can substitute one approved humanities course (including a foreign language) for one of the seven or eight options.

All third year students complete a Computing group project.

Computing

• Automated Reasoning
• Compilers
• Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
• Concurrency
• Custom Computing
• Databases
• Distributed Systems
• Graphics
• Introduction to Informatics
• Machine Learning
• Operations Research
• Performance Analysis
• Simulation And Modelling
• Software Engineering – Methods
• Type Systems for Programming Languages

Mathematics

• Algebra II
• Algebraic Number Theory
• Applied Probability
• Biostatics
• Computational Linear Algebra
• Communicating Mathematics
• Design of Experiments and Surveys
• Discrete Mathematics
• Elementary Number Theory
• Finite Difference Methods for Partial Differential Equations
• Finite Element Method
• Galois Theory
• Games, Risks and Decisions
• Graphs, Algorithms and Optimisation
• Group Representation Theory
• Groups, Rings and Numbers
• Group Theory
• Linear Algebra And Matrices
• Methods of Approximation
• Modern Statistical Methods for Pattern Recognition
• Monte Carlo Methods in Finance Engineering
• Numerical Analysis
• Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations
• Optimisation
• Orthogonality
• Practical Numerical Algorithms
• Probability and Statistics II
• Rings and Modules
• Rings and Fields
• Statistical Modelling
• Statistical Modelling with Applications in Finance
• Statistical Pattern Recognition
• Statistical Theory
• Stochastic Simulation
• Survival Models and Actuarial Applications
• Theoretical Numerical Analysis
• Tilings and Patterns
• Time Series

Year 4

Students take seven courses in total, including at least two technical courses from each department. You also complete an individual project in an area of your choice. Courses are selected from a wide range of advanced options available at fourth year within the two departments.

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis. If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page, which gives the minimum entry requirements for a range of international qualifications. The entry requirements below may be varied by the Admissions Tutor.

A-levels

Mathematics and Computer Science courses

Typical entry requirements for Mathematics and Computer Science courses are A*A*A or A*A*AA overall, to include:

• A* in Mathematics
• A* in Further Mathematics
• Grade A in one or two further A-levels

A-level subject selection

Many applicants ask us what A-levels we would recommend. In an effort to provide helpful advice, we have developed the following suggestions:

*We strongly encourage applicants to take Further Maths at A2 or AS level. If your school offers Further Maths, we expect you to take it. If your school does not offer you the chance to take Further Maths, please make sure this is stated in your school reference. We will take this into account and will still welcome your application.

Some candidates choose to take Further Maths independently through a local Further Maths Network Centre. We also accept AEA or STEP Maths qualifications in place of Further Maths and may include these in your offer. If your school does not offer you Further Maths, our preferred A-level is a science subject, such as Physics, Chemistry or Computer Science.

**We do not accept ICT, Business Studies and General Studies.

We should emphasise that, with the exception of the required A-level Maths and Further Maths and the A-levels we do not accept, Category 3 is only a set of suggestions. If your A-level selection does not match this exact pattern, you should not worry unduly.

We do understand that some schools do not offer Computing for students wishing to study the subject for A-level. We will not hold this against an applicant as we do not require Computing as an A-level subject for any applicant, so if you would prefer to take another subject, then this would be fine.

For students looking for a good grounding in the principles of Computing pre A-level, we do recommend the new OCR GCSE in Computing. Again, however, this is not a requirement for admission to any of our degrees. 

For more information visit the Joint Mathematics and Computing website.

International Baccalaureate

Mathematics and Computer Science courses

We require an overall score of 39-41 points, including a score of 7 in Mathematics at higher level and 7 in one further relevant subject at higher level.

European Baccalaureate

Mathematics and Computer Science courses

87.5% overall; 9.0 in Maths and one further relevant subject

Other qualifications

We welcome applications from individuals with other suitable qualifications, such as Scottish Advanced Highers, International, French and European Baccalaureates.

For advice on a strong application and information on other qualification requirements see:

• Undergraduate degrees in Computing or Mathematics and Computer Science

English language requirements (all candidates)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.

Selection process

You are not judged on academic ability alone when you apply to us. We make assessments on a wider profile and consider your potential for success in an engineering career.

If you are likely to receive an offer of admission, and live within reach of London, we will invite you to come for an interview. This enables us to get an impression of your motivation and suitability for the course. Equally importantly, it gives you a chance to find out more about the courses and about Imperial in general.

Entrance test

If you are unable to attend an interview day then we will ask you to complete an entrance test.