Undergraduate · Imperial Computing, Security and Reliability

Imperial Computing (Security and Reliability): systems that can be trusted

Imperial's Computing (Security and Reliability) MEng is a four-year course in the Department of Computing that shares its entry rules with the department's other MEng specialisms: A* in Mathematics, IB 41 and a compulsory TMUA. The decision for an applicant is the specialism. This one focuses on software security, reliability and privacy, with formal verification and machine learning applied to building trustworthy systems.

Official information · last verified for 2027 entry

What Imperial asks for in Computing (Security and Reliability)

Taken from Imperial's Computing (Security and Reliability) MEng course page and read on 1 November 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.

A four-year MEng, G610

Delivered by the Department of Computing; Imperial describes a security and reliability specialism with an industrial placement.

A*A*A to A*AAA with A* in Mathematics, or IB 41

The A-level standard includes A* in Mathematics, with Further Mathematics preferred. The IB standard is 41 points with 7 in Mathematics at Higher Level.

The TMUA is compulsory

Imperial says applicants must sit the Test for Mathematics for University Admission.

Interviews are not standard

Imperial says interviews may be offered to some candidates at the admissions tutors' discretion.

Security, reliability and privacy

Imperial says students acquire a deep understanding of software security, reliability and privacy issues.

Official sources

Read on 1 November 2026 on Imperial's Computing (Security and Reliability) MEng course page, which describes 2027 entry. Imperial's Department of Computing pages, the module descriptions beyond the course page, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read, and no other university's degree was read for this guide and are not stated.

The degree

Trustworthy systems, from verification to privacy

Imperial says students learn how modern computer and communications systems function and acquire a deep understanding of software security, reliability and privacy, applying techniques such as formal verification, AI and machine learning at all levels of system design. The shared first two years cover systems, databases, architecture, algorithms and mathematics. Later options named on the course page include Network and Web Security, Cryptography and Coding Theory, Advanced Computer Security, Software Reliability and Scalable Software Verification. This guide does not describe individual modules beyond naming them.

Is it the right degree?

Security and Reliability against the other Imperial computing degrees

Imperial lists these as separate UCAS courses, and the entry rules look alike, so the question is the specialism. Avandy's comparison is general.

Choose Security and Reliability if

you want trust, verification and privacy at the centre of your computing degree.

Look at the general Computing MEng if

you want to keep the focus broad. Avandy's Imperial Computing guide covers it.

Look at Software Engineering if

your interest is building large maintainable systems. Avandy's Imperial Software Engineering guide covers it.

Entry rules

A* in Mathematics, IB 41 and the compulsory TMUA

A-level applicants need A*A*A to A*AAA including A* in Mathematics, with Further Mathematics preferred; IB applicants need 41 points with 7 in Mathematics and 7 in another relevant subject at Higher Level. The TMUA is compulsory. Interviews are not standard but may be offered at the admissions tutors' discretion. This page states no test scores.

A decision framework

Three questions before you commit

This is Avandy's own framework, not Imperial's.

Does the question of whether software can be trusted draw you?

The specialism is framed around security, reliability and privacy.

Is A* in Mathematics realistic for you?

It is a stated condition of the A-level standard.

Are you comfortable with a compulsory mathematics test?

The TMUA is part of the application, not an optional extra.

Planning for 2028 entry

Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication

Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.

Grades, subject requirements, the test position and the interview arrangements: last verified for 2027 entry

These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.

The UCAS deadline, test windows and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry

Check Imperial's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.

What to do now

Confirm Mathematics and your second subject, read the course page's module lists and plan TMUA preparation.

Support

Independent support with course choice and preparation

Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not supply interview or test questions. No outcome is promised.

Questions

Questions applicants ask

What does Imperial Computing (Security and Reliability) require?

A*A*A to A*AAA at A level including A* in Mathematics, or 41 IB points with 7 in Mathematics and 7 in another relevant subject at Higher Level, in Imperial's wording for 2027 entry.

Is the TMUA required?

Yes. Imperial says applicants must sit it as part of the application.

Is there an interview?

Imperial says interviews are not standard but may be offered to some candidates at the admissions tutors' discretion.

How does it differ from Imperial's general Computing MEng?

It is a separate UCAS course (G610). Imperial describes a security and reliability specialism with formal verification and machine learning applied to secure systems.

Is there an industrial placement?

Imperial says students complete an industrial placement at the end of the third year.

Are these the rules for 2028 entry?

No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.

Students and families

Talk to us about Imperial Computing (Security and Reliability)

Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics, how they weigh security and verification against general computing or software engineering and the TMUA, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.