History

Discover how UCL Computer Science developed from pioneering internet research in the 1970s to one of the UK’s largest departments, advancing computing research, education and innovation.

80s pamphlet advertising UCL Stats and Comp Sci, showing male and female staff working at 80s style desktop machines

Origins

Computer science activity at UCL began in the early 1970s, when the Department of Statistics was expanded to form a joint Department of Statistics and Computer Science.

The Department of Computer Science was later established as an independent department in 1980, with Professor Peter Kirstein as its first Head of Department. At the time, the department consisted of a small group of seven academic staff working in areas such as computer networking and data communications.

Early work on the Internet

UCL was already involved in some of the earliest developments in computer networking. In 1973, a research group led by Kirstein connected UCL to ARPANET, the network that later evolved into today’s internet. UCL was one of the first international sites linked to the network, helping to connect research communities in the United States and Europe during the early development of the internet.

From these beginnings, UCL Computer Science grew alongside the wider development of the discipline and today spans areas such as machine learning, robotics and information security.

Growth and key milestones

1973 – UCL becomes one of the first international sites connected to ARPANET through research led by Peter Kirstein.

1980 – The Department of Computer Science is formally established at UCL, with Kirstein as its first Head of Department.

1985 – The department launches an MSc in Data Communications, Networks and Distributed Systems.

2003 – The UCL Interaction Centre (UCLIC) is established to study how people interact with technology across disciplines.

2005 – The Malet Place Engineering Building finally became home to the Department in January 2005.

2015 – The department took possession of newly refurbished premises at 66-72 Gower Street, to help accommodate our growing community.

2019 – The AI Centre and the Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC) move to 90 High Holborn, now home to the Hawkes Institute.

2021 – Several research groups move into new space at 169 Euston Road, supporting collaboration across systems, networking, vision and information security.

2022 – The Robotics Lab and the Global Disability Innovation Hub move into One Pool Street at UCL East.

2023 – The Global Disability Innovation Hub expands into Marshgate at UCL East. The MEng Robotics and Artificial Intelligence programme is launched.

2024 – Department receives Athena Swan Gold award for advancing gender equality within Higher Education.

2025 – A refreshed governance structure was introduced to support the department’s continued growth, organising UCL Computer Science into four academic sections: Machine Learning, Foundational Computer Science, Applied Computer Science and Financial Computing.

2026 – As UCL marks its bicentenary, the department reflects on more than four decades of research, education and innovation in computer science.

UCL Computer Science today

A large academic community

UCL Computer Science has grown into one of the UK’s largest academic departments in the field. Around 250 academic and teaching staff work alongside more than 90 research staff and over 80 professional services colleagues.

The department supports a large international student community, including around 735 undergraduate students, more than 700 postgraduate taught students and over 200 doctoral researchers representing around 90 nationalities.

Research and real-world impact

The department’s research is recognised internationally. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, UCL Computer Science ranked first in England for research power, reflecting the scale and quality of its research activity.

Research in the department has also contributed to the wider technology sector. Companies co-founded by UCL Computer Science academics are estimated to have a combined value of around £4 billion.

One example is Synthesia, an AI video company co-founded by UCL Computer Science academic Professor Lourdes Agapito, which reached a valuation of $4 billion following a major funding round in 2026.

Find out more about research and innovation at UCL Computer Science.

Education and the next generation

Education has been central to the department since its early years. Today, UCL Computer Science offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and doctoral programmes.

The department currently offers 4 undergraduate degrees and 17 postgraduate taught courses, reflecting the breadth of the discipline and the growing demand for advanced computing skills.

In addition, the BA in Philosophy and Computer Science was launched in 2024. Developed jointly with the Department of Philosophy, it reflects the department’s interdisciplinary approach.

Students also work on practical industry projects through the Industry Exchange Network (IXN), where teams collaborate with external organisations on real-world computing challenges. Since its launch in 2011, the programme has supported more than 700 collaborative projects.

Find out more about our undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD courses.

A commitment to fairness and inclusion

UCL Computer Science has worked over many years to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within the department. Initiatives across teaching, research culture, mentoring and outreach aim to widen participation and support people from a broad range of backgrounds.

This work has been recognised through the department’s Athena Swan Gold Award.

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion in UCL Computer Science.