Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 is an untiered course assessed by two written papers: Paper 1 on computer systems and Paper 2 on algorithms, programming and logic. Our Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science course follows the 0478 syllabus: data representation, data transmission, hardware, software, the internet and its uses, automated and emerging technologies, algorithm design and problem solving, programming, databases and Boolean logic. You prepare for the theory paper and the problem-solving and programming paper, including the pre-release style scenario questions. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified subject tutor, who sets past-paper questions, marks them against the mark scheme and plans revision for the May/June or October/November series. Suitable for international school students, home-schoolers and private candidates.
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In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478). A verified tutor teaches computer systems, algorithms, pseudocode, programming, databases and Boolean logic for both papers, using Cambridge past papers.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478) is an international GCSE-level qualification covering how computer systems work and how to design algorithms and write programs. It is assessed by two 1 hour 45 minute papers.
This course covers all ten topics one to one with a verified computer science tutor, with plenty of pseudocode and programming practice.
Official specification: Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus (2026–2028). Papers and content can change, so check the current specification on the board's website.
For wider support, see our computer science tutoring page, or the Edexcel IGCSE ICT course if you also study ICT.
Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science (0478, syllabus for 2026–2028) has two papers. Calculators are not allowed. Exams run in June and November; the March series is for centres in India only.
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weighting | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Computer Systems | 1 hour 45 minutes | 75 | 50% | Topics 1–6 |
| Paper 2 Algorithms, Programming and Logic | 1 hour 45 minutes | 75 | 50% | Topics 7–10; answers in pseudocode, except the 15-mark scenario question, which may also be answered in Python, Visual Basic or Java |
The 0478 syllabus has ten topics.
| Paper 1 topics | Paper 2 topics |
|---|---|
| 1 Data representation | 7 Algorithm design and problem-solving |
| 2 Data transmission | 8 Programming |
| 3 Hardware | 9 Databases |
| 4 Software | 10 Boolean logic |
| 5 The internet and its uses | |
| 6 Automated and emerging technologies |
The scenario-based question asks you to write a full algorithm or program for a described problem. Strong answers use clear structure and meaningful identifiers, and cover every requirement.
Paper 2 uses Cambridge's own pseudocode style. Tutors teach it alongside a high-level language such as Python, so you can write, trace and correct algorithms confidently, including bubble sort, linear search, totalling, counting and finding maximum and minimum values.
Here is a typical data representation question: convert the binary number 10110110 to denary and hexadecimal.
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Add place values | 128 + 32 + 16 + 4 + 2 = 182 |
| Split into nibbles | 1011 and 0110 |
| Hexadecimal | B6 |
Students most often lose marks through the habits below. Each is easy to fix with practice and feedback.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Pseudocode errors | Follow Cambridge pseudocode conventions |
| Scenario answers missing requirements | Tick off each requirement |
| Trace tables skipped | Trace line by line |
| Vague theory answers | Use precise technical terms |
| Logic gates misread | Build truth tables carefully |
Lessons are live and one to one on video with screen sharing for live coding. Your tutor works through Cambridge past papers with you and reviews your code. See also Cambridge IGCSE ICT (0417), our Computer Science subject page and Java help.
An IGCSE computer science tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on the Cambridge 0478 syllabus, from data representation and hardware to pseudocode, programming and logic.
This course suits Cambridge IGCSE students at school and private candidates, including those new to programming.
Prerequisites: basic computer use and maths. No advanced programming knowledge is needed.
Course length: 50 one-hour lessons across 11 modules.
| Stage | Topics | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data representation; data transmission; hardware; software | Convert between number systems and explain how computers work |
| 2 | The internet; automated and emerging technologies | Explain networks, security and new technologies |
| 3 | Algorithm design; programming; databases | Write pseudocode, code and SQL |
| 4 | Boolean logic; exam technique | Draw logic circuits and answer both papers under timing |
Where it leads: see the OCR GCSE Computer Science course, or the Python for Data Science course for the next step.
Most schools use a student book endorsed or approved by Cambridge International for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478, alongside the official specification and a good revision guide. Choose a book written for the current specification so the content and terminology match your exam. Your tutor links lessons to your textbook chapters and fills any gaps with exam-style practice.
No. Everyone takes the same two papers and can achieve grades A* to G.
No. Calculators are not permitted in either paper.
Learn Cambridge pseudocode for the exam plus a high-level language such as Python, Java or Visual Basic for practice.
A Paper 2 question where you write an algorithm or program to solve a described problem.
Yes. Topic 9 includes single-table databases and SQL queries.
Many students find the scenario question, trace tables and data representation the hardest.
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Yes. Lessons are online and scheduled around your time zone.
Two papers, each 1 hour 45 minutes, 75 marks and 50%: Computer Systems, and Algorithms, Programming and Logic.
Cambridge International publishes recent Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 past papers, mark schemes and examiner reports on its website, and schools can access more through their secure portals. Use them under timed conditions, then mark your answers carefully with the mark scheme. Your tutor sets past-paper questions topic by topic, then full timed papers closer to your exam.
Answers are in pseudocode, except the 15-mark scenario question, which may also be answered in Python, Visual Basic or Java.
Data representation, data transmission, hardware, software, the internet and its uses, and automated and emerging technologies.
Algorithm design and problem-solving, programming, databases and Boolean logic.
Split the binary number into groups of four bits and convert each to a hex digit.
June and November, with a March series for centres in India only.
Yes. You can book one session to see if the tutor suits you, with no subscription.
Weekly lessons suit most students; add extra sessions before exams.
Yes. Tutors can set past-paper questions and go through them in the next session.
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone.
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 IGCSE computer science tutor online through live lessons with a shared screen. Your tutor explains theory topics, works through pseudocode and trace tables with you and uses past papers so you can approach both exam papers with confidence.
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