British Informatics Olympiad (BIO)
A British programming olympiad where students solve challenging algorithmic problems under timed conditions. Open to full-time pre-university students under 19 in mainland Britain through their school or college. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from advanced algorithms, coding efficiency, complex problem-solving and highly selective progression to the national final.
Verified information
Competition details can change. Always confirm dates, eligibility and entry requirements on the official organiser's website.
Official website ↗OVERALL COMPETITION LEVEL
Expert Level
6 evaluation dimensions have source-backed automatic scores; 0 dimensions need conflict review.
Competition overview
Key information
Eligible ages
12–19
School level
Secondary and sixth form; under 19 in full-time pre-university education
Registration method
School Only
Competition stages
Round one in schools, then invitational final in Cambridge
Fee
Free
Online / in-person
Hybrid
Dates
Competition timeline
Registration opens
Not yet announced by the organiser
Registration closes
23 Jan 2026
Competition starts
12 Apr 2026
Competition ends
14 Apr 2026
Editorial perspective
Our Take
The British Informatics Olympiad is unusual among school competitions because its first round combines accessibility with a very high ceiling. An eligible school can enter students without a previous qualifying result, and the three-hour paper can award useful credit for partial solutions. Yet the same paper is the first selection stage for a residential final at Churchill College, Cambridge, from which Britain’s international informatics teams are chosen. The competition therefore asks beginners and future international contestants to work on the same style of task, separated by algorithmic insight, efficiency and implementation reliability. That structure should shape preparation. BIO is not a test of how many programming-language features a student remembers, and it is not an app-building showcase. A contestant must turn an unfamiliar specification into an algorithm, read constraints, write and test a program, and explain parts of the reasoning in writing. The school-based format also creates an administrative dependency: a teacher coordinates entry, supervises the paper, marks it using the official scheme and submits results. CompeteMap’s view is that BIO is an excellent destination for students who already enjoy both coding and mathematical problem solving, but a poor choice for learning syntax under contest pressure. Students should use the extensive official archive to build from correct small cases toward efficient full solutions, while schools should confirm the current year’s rules early. As of 8 September 2026, the organiser had reported the completed 2026 final but had not yet published a 2027 competition page.
Read full guide →Preparation support
Recommended resources
Computing Problems from the BIO and Elsewhere
Open resource ↗Official archive of papers, mark schemes, solutions and sample programs.
Official · Free · Past-paper and solution archive · Essential
BIO 2026 Round One
Open resource ↗Current-format three-hour paper and mark scheme for a final timed mock.
Official · Free · Current paper and mark scheme · Essential
BIO Information Pack
Open resource ↗Orientation linking the latest sample paper, marking scheme and worked examples.
Official · Free · Preparation guide · Recommended
BIO Helper
Open resource ↗Online judge with round-one problems and model solutions from experienced competitors.
Third-party · Free · Online judge and editorials · Essential