International Computer Science Competition

Participate Now 2025  

What is ICSC?

The ICSC is a global educational program that empowers students to challenge their logical thinking, deepen their computer science knowledge, jumpstarting their journey into the world of technology.

Who can participate?

High school and university students of all grades and from all countries are invited to participate. We have three age categories:
  • Junior: 10th Grade and below (< 16 years)
  • Youth: 11th to 13th Grade (< 19 years)
  • Senior: 1st Year College/University and higher (or ≥ 19 years)
All participants receive the same set of problems, but the passing criteria vary by age group. You need curiosity, a drive to learn, pen and paper, and access to a computer. English reading comprehension is helpful for research problems. More Details

Prizes and Awards

Showcase your abilities and compete for cash prizes, certificates, and global recognition. The prizes are worth upwards of 1000 USD. Awards include:
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Cash Prizes for each age category.
  • National Awards for top performers from each country.
  • Bronze, Silver, and Gold Honours for Finalists.
  • Special Honours for outstanding submissions.
  • Official Participation Certificates for all participants.
Points are awarded for correct steps and not just for your final answers and programs. We want you to describe your reasoning! See All Prizes and Awards.

For Teachers, Schools, and Universities

Grounded in our approach to blend education with friendly competition, ICSC inspires students to discover and nurture their passion for computer science. We provide learning resources, a dedicated teacher portal, and special awards to recognize institutional commitment. You are invited to learn more or visit the Teacher Page.

Ambassador Program

Passionate students can become ICSC Ambassadors to promote the competition locally, organize events, and inspire peers to engage with computer science. Ambassadors gain leadership experience and can earn ambassador awards: Learn more here.

  ICSC General Information Document

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Qualification Round

The Qualification Round features five problems that cover foundational concepts, logic, and introductory algorithms. Some problems require an abstract explanation of the solution, while others involve the writing of code.

Each problem is worth 5 points. To advance, participants must achieve a minimum score of 15 points for the Junior division, 17 points for the Youth division, and 20 points for the Senior division. Participants are encouraged to show their work, express themselves creatively, and produce efficient algorithms. Outstanding submissions receive special recognition.

  Submission Deadline:
Sunday, 24 August 2025, 23:59 UTC+0
Open to all students. Participation is free.

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 View Problems & Participate

Pre-Final Round

Qualified participants tackle six more complex problems over four days, some of which build on concepts introduced in the Qualification Round. The problem set includes:

  • 2x Foundational Problems (4 pts each)
  • 2x Advanced Problems (6 pts each)
  • 2x Research Problems (8 pts each, involving reading and engaging with research papers)

The maximum score is 36 points. To advance, participants must achieve at least 16 points for Junior, 20 points for Youth, and 24 points for Senior divisions. To run the competition at a global scale, the registration cost for the Pre-Final Round is 11 EUR . Financial aid is available to waive or reduce these costs. You can find more details here.

  Registration Deadline:
Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 23:59 UTC+0
Qualified students. Registration costs 11 EUR. Financial aid is available.

  Pre-Final Round Problem Release:
Thursday, 2 October 2025, 23:59 UTC+0
  Pre-Final Round Deadline:
Sunday, 5 October 2025, 23:59 UTC+0


  Pre-Final Round Information

Final Round

The Final Round is a fast-paced online exam consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions, with 60 seconds allocated for each question. It covers concepts from previous rounds, including theoretical concepts and algorithmic understanding, but does not involve writing code.

Participation requires supervision by a registered teacher or self-recording with both screen and webcam active. Final rankings and prizes are determined based on performance in this round, with tie-breakers using results from previous rounds.

  Final Round Exam:
Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 23:59 UTC+0
Qualified students from the Pre-Final Round. Participation is free.

  Final Round Details

Qualification Round 2025


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Please submit your solution to the Qualification Round problem sheet via the official submission form. Pay attention to the following key points:

  1. You must submit a single solution document that provides a written description of your solution for all problems (conceptual and programming problems).
  2. You may submit handwritten or typed solutions (e.g., using TeX) for conceptual problems. For programming problems, please include any code as plain text on your solution document with a description and in-line comments.
  3. Alongside your solution document, please also upload your code file for each programming problem. The code must be written in one of the following programming languages: Python, Java, or C++. Ensure that you do not modify the provided skeleton code so that your code can be correctly evaluated on our server.
  4. Your solution file must describe your reasoning for each problem, as we award partial points. Please mark your final solutions clearly in your solution document (e.g., underlining them).

We recommend you to explore the example problems and solutions prior to writing your submission to familiarze yourself with the expected solution format.

  Download Problems (PDF)   Download Code Skeletons (ZIP)

Submit your solutions via the official submission form. After submitting, you can manage your entry and access certificates via the participant login: [Participant Login]

  Submit Your Solution

Information for
Teachers, Schools, and Universities


Integrate our materials into your curriculum, encourage participation, and leverage our tools designed specificially for educators to empower your students through ICSC.

Inspire and Challenge

Use ICSC problems to enrich your curriculum, support student projects, or enhance club activities. The competition fosters logical reasoning, algorithmic thinking, and enthusiasm for computer science. Information on how to prepare students for ICSC can be found here: Preparation

Special Awards

We recognize institutions with high participation and outstanding student performance through our ICSC School Awards: School Award Details

Teacher Portal & Resources

Register for our dedicated teacher portal to:
  • Monitor student progress and access certificates.
  • Facilitate group payments for the Pre-Final Round.
  • Manage Final Round supervision easily.

Further Information

If you are interested in implementing an ICSC group in your school or using the ICSC problems for your curriculum or as project work, do not hesitate to get in touch. You can find promotional materials below or download our specific flyer for educators: Teacher Information Flyer PDF

ICSC Poster B ICSC Poster B ICSC Poster C


ICSC Information Flyer ICSC Teacher Information ICSC Poster C

To learn more about ICSC, and what tools can support your students in their preperation, we have compiled a list of resources here:

Become Ambassador

With the start of ICSC, we are eager to create a global network of ambassadors! Represent ICSC locally, inspire peers, organize events, and foster a community around computer science. It's a great leadership opportunity and valuable addition to your profile.

Requirements

Be at least 14 years old, passionate about computer science, and willing to actively promote ICSC. Certificates are awarded to active ambassadors (linked to ≥1 Pre-Final participant).

Mission & Responsibilities

As an ISC Ambassador, your mission is to spark curiosity for computer science, deepen the interest in technology among students, and support the ICSC initiative in your region through the following key responsibilities:
  1. Promoting computer science by organizing activities and raising awareness for technology in your community.
  2. Building a local CS group to bring together interested students for ongoing learning and collaboration.
  3. Increasing participation by encouraging students in your school, city, or country to take part in ICSC.
  4. Supporting participants by answering questions, providing guidance, and serving as a local point of contact.
Example activities include hosting coding workshops, organizing local student groups, and mentoring students for the ICSC. Ambassadors also engage schools and promote the competition through outreach and social media. See Activity Ideas PDF

Benefits

In addition to gaining valuable career experience through our global network, ICSC Ambassadors enjoy a range of hands-on benefits:
  • Represent ICSC in your region and start a local student or coding club.
  • Receive an official ICSC Ambassador Certificate for active participation.
  • Boost your CV with international leadership and outreach experience.
  • Get priority for financial aid for Pre-Final Round fees (Learn More).
  • Apply for project funding via our Ambassador Engagement Support (Learn More).
  • Be recognized on the ICSC website and social media.
  • Access global learning and scholarship opportunities through our network.

Special Awards & Levels

Annual awards recognize outstanding dedication and impact. Ambassadors can also progress through levels (Newcomer to Honoured) based on activity, experience, and participants encouraged. Ambassador Award Details

Application Process

The ICSC Ambassador application involves two stages:
  • Stage 1: Submit the online application form along with your CV, academic transcript, a letter of motivation, and any optional certificates. Applications are reviewed within seven days.

  • Stage 2: Selected candidates will submit a short personal introduction video and complete a custom computer science problem set. Final decisions are typically communicated within seven days.

Ambassador Picture 1 Ambasador Picture 2
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