Brain Academy, the competition for budding computer scientists, has opened its doors once again. This year's theme is the interface of compsci and the entertainment industry.

University of London organiser Dr Paul Curzon said: "Most of us use computer science in our day to day lives without even realising it; and our innovative new MSc in Digital Performance will create graduates with the technical skills and artistic flair ready to make a difference in the entertainment industry."

The competition boasts a coterie of high-powered sponsors including Microsoft and ARM.

ARM will sponsor precocious pubescents who for the first time get their own category - Brain Academy: the the next generation. The pre-postgrad and pre-undergrad categories are back. Winners headed for university for the first time will get a place to study computer science at Queen Mary's, with one lucky prizewinner benefitting from a full scholarship. There's also a range of other career-boosting experience available to selected candidates.

For competitors about to complete their first degree, MSc places are up for grabs. As before, as well as nurturing committed propellorheads, the competition hopes to attract able people from other disciplines into computer science. Simon Kinsey, one of last year's winners, returned to study after originally completing a maths degree in 1984.

The first of the three rounds is a web hunt, answering questions related to computer science.

Find out how to enter here. ®