Oxford Computer Science and Philosophy interview 2026: dates, questions, format and success rate

Oxford interviews 39% of Computer Science and Philosophy applicants, online, and offers a place to 33% of those interviewed.

Figures from ox.ac.uk, checked 18 October 2026.

At a glance

When: 14-17 Dec 2026 (Additional 16-17 Dec 2026)
Format: Panel interview, Online (Usually two interviewers)
How many: Usually 2 at the first-choice college + at least 1 at another college
Length: Around 30 min each
Who's interviewed: All shortlisted applicants (46 of 118 last cycle)
Before it: TMUA admissions test

How the Oxford Computer Science and Philosophy interview runs

Before: TMUA admissions test
Interviews: Usually 2 at the first-choice college + at least 1 at another college, 14-17 Dec 2026, online
Each one: Around 30 min each, with Usually two interviewers
In the room: Solving a Computer Science problem, thinking aloud
They assess: "Independent thinking, following and constructing arguments, thinking on novel topics", in the university's own words

Applied: 118. Interviewed: 46. Offered: 15 (2025-26 admissions cycle (department report, Jan 2026)).

Questions asked

Official sample question: Death by chocolate. You are locked in a room with your worst enemy. On a table in the centre of the room is a bar of chocolate, divided into squares in the usual way. One square of the chocolate is painted with a bright green paint that contains a deadly poison. You and your enemy take it in turns to break off one or more squares from the remaining chocolate (along a straight line) and eat them. Whoever is left with the green square must eat it and die in agony. You may look at the bar of chocolate and then decide whether to go first or second. Describe your strategy.
Official sample question: Scribble. The game of Scribble is played with an inexhaustible supply of tiles, and consists of forming 'words' according to certain rules. Since each tile bears one of the letters P, Q, or R, these are not words that will be found in an ordinary dictionary. The game begins with the word PQ on the board; each move consists of applying one of the following rules: If the word on the board is Px, for some shorter word x, you may change it to Pxx. For example, if the word is PQRRQ then you may change it to PQRRQQRRQ. If the word on the board is xQQQy, for some shorter words x and y, then you may change it to xRy, replacing the sequence QQQ with a single R. If the word on the board is xRRy, for some shorter words x and y, then you may change it to xy, deleting the sequence RR entirely. (i) For each of the following words, say whether you can make it or not by following the rules of the game: QPR, PQQ, PQR, PR. (ii) Given any word, how can you decide whether it can be made or not?
Official sample question: Missing numbers. Imagine you are given a list of slightly less than 1,000,000 numbers, all different, and each between 0 and 999,999 inclusive. How could you find (in a reasonable time) a number between 0 and 999,999 that is not on the list?

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Oxford Computer Science and Philosophy interview FAQ

When are Oxford Computer Science and Philosophy interviews in 2026?

14-17 Dec 2026.

Online or in person?

Online, as a panel interview.

How long is each interview?

Around 30 min each. Usually 2 at the first-choice college + at least 1 at another college.

What percentage of applicants are interviewed?

39%, and 33% of those interviewed got an offer.

Is there a test?

TMUA admissions test.

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