Pietro MeloniPhD

Computer Science · 13 courses checked

Which IB maths do you need for computer science?

It depends on the university. 9 of the 13 universities checked accept Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL for computer science: EPFL, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, McGill University, NTU Singapore, NUS, UCL, University of Oxford and University of Toronto. King's College London, TU Delft, University of Cambridge and University of Warwick ask for Analysis and Approaches HL. Most ask for maths at Higher Level, and the most selective ask for a 7.

By Pietro Meloni, PhD · Last verified against the official pages on

What each university says, with the source

Official IB Diploma requirements for computer science degrees. "Maths AI HL" says whether Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level meets the maths requirement.
UniversityCourseIB pointsMaths requiredMaths AI HLSource
Imperial College LondonUKComputing BEng417 in HL Mathematics, 7 in another relevant HL subjectHL Mathematics grade 7Acceptedimperial.ac.ukchecked
University of CambridgeUKComputer Science BA (Hons) and MEng41-42776 at Higher LevelHL Mathematics: Analysis and ApproachesAA asked; ask the College if not offeredundergraduate.study.cam.ac.ukchecked
University of OxfordUKComputer Science39 including core points766 at HL, the 7 in HL MathematicsHL Mathematics grade 7Acceptedox.ac.uk and maths policychecked
UCLUKComputer Science BSc4020 points in three HL subjects, 7 in MathematicsHL Mathematics grade 7Accepted, AA preferreducl.ac.ukchecked
EPFLSwitzerlandAll bachelor programmes (one rule for the whole school)38 out of 42, without bonus pointsHL Mathematics, HL Physics and one of HL Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science; grade 6 or more in Mathematics and PhysicsHL MathematicsAcceptedepfl.chchecked
University of WarwickUKBSc Computer Science397, 6, 6 at HL with 7 in MathematicsHL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, grade 7Not acceptedwarwick.ac.ukchecked
King's College LondonUKComputer Science BSc39HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches, grade 6Not acceptedkcl.ac.ukchecked
ETH ZurichSwitzerlandAll bachelor programmes (one rule for the whole school)Academic year 2025/2638 out of 42, without bonus pointsHL Mathematics, HL Physics or Chemistry or Biology, HL language AHL Mathematics, either courseAcceptedethz.ch (PDF)checked
TU DelftNetherlandsBSc Computer Science and Engineering (taught in English)Not statedMathematics AA HLHL Mathematics: Analysis and ApproachesNot acceptedtudelft.nlchecked
NTU SingaporeSingaporeAll programmes with a Mathematics prerequisiteNot statedMathematics where the programme requires it, either courseAcceptedntu.edu.sgchecked
NUSSingaporeCommon Computer Science ProgrammesInformation accurate as of December 2025Not statedPass in HL Computer Science, HL Analysis and Approaches or HL Physics; or a good pass in SL Analysis and Approaches or HL Applications and InterpretationAcceptednus.edu.sg (PDF)checked
University of TorontoCanadaScience and business programmes (central admissions page)Not statedCalculus and Advanced Functions prerequisites: AI HL, AA SL or AA HLAcceptedfuture.utoronto.cachecked
McGill UniversityCanadaProgrammes with a mathematics prerequisite (central IB page)Not statedHL Analysis and Approaches, SL Analysis and Approaches or HL Applications and InterpretationAcceptedmcgill.cachecked

Three London universities, three different answers

Imperial Computing accepts both maths courses at Higher Level and states no preference. UCL Computer Science accepts both and prefers Analysis and Approaches. King's College London Computer Science requires Analysis and Approaches. Three universities a few kilometres apart, three policies. This is why a general rule about "top universities" is not useful, and why each row in the table links to the page it came from.

Computer science is a maths degree in its first year

University computer science starts with discrete maths, logic, proof, linear algebra and probability. AA HL is the closer preparation because it trains algebraic manipulation and proof. AI HL brings stronger statistics and more time with technology, which helps later with data science and machine learning.

An AI HL student who wants computer science should check the list before the application, target the universities that accept it, and work on proof and algebra on the side.

Many selective courses add an admissions test

Several selective courses add a maths admissions test to the IB offer, and the course page says which one. These tests are built on pure maths. A student from either IB course needs separate preparation for them, and an AI HL student needs more of it.

Frequently asked questions

Does Imperial accept IB Maths AI HL for Computing?

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Yes. The Imperial Computing page says the Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at Higher Level. The minimum entry standard is 41 points with a 7 in HL Mathematics and a 7 in another relevant HL subject; the typical offer is 42.

Does UCL accept Maths AI HL for Computer Science?

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Yes, with a stated preference for Analysis and Approaches. UCL asks for 20 points in three Higher Level subjects including a 7 in Mathematics.

Which universities require Maths AA HL for computer science?

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Of the universities checked, Warwick, King's College London and TU Delft require Analysis and Approaches HL for computer science. Cambridge asks for it unless the school does not offer it.

Is IB Computer Science HL required?

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None of the pages checked lists it as a requirement. NUS counts HL Computer Science as one of several ways to meet its prerequisite. The maths requirement is the one that decides eligibility.

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