Learn about the higher-than-average salaries, faster-than-average job growth, and fewer barriers to entry that the growing field of computer science offers.
Computer science remains a popular course, especially for students who enjoy solving complex problems. Research from BCS in 2023 recorded computer science as the most popular course students applied to, rising 9.6 percent from previous years [闭.听
Computer science has gotten a reputation for being a difficult bachelor鈥檚 degree to earn because it involves learning how to program and combines a wide variety of theoretical and practical subjects.
Learn what makes computer science a challenging course, how you can prepare yourself for the unique challenges of earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science, and alternatives to consider if a four-year degree is not the best option for your needs.听聽
Earning a computer science degree has been known to entail a more intense workload than you might experience with other courses because it includes many foundational concepts about computer software, hardware, and theory to learn. Part of that learning may involve a lot of practice, typically completed on your own time. Two of the biggest reasons why some students find computer science hard include:
Learning a programming language
Computer science subjects
As a computer science course, you鈥檒l likely learn how to program, which means learning one of the many popular programming languages in use today. Some of the popular languages taught in a course include Java, Python, SQL, and C. Learning multiple languages gives you versatility as a programmer in computer science since each language performs best with certain tasks.
For example, it takes between two and six months on average to learn the fundamentals of Python, and mastering the language can take years. While you may learn about Python in class, you鈥檒l likely need to dedicate extra time to become more proficient. Fortunately, learning one language can make it easier to learn others鈥攁nd you鈥檒l notice that many professional programmers know more than one.听
Although the specific modules you鈥檙e required to take for your computer science course will differ by department, you can expect to take a mix of programming and mathematics courses. Some institutions also require a handful of science modules, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or electronics.
Programming examples | Maths examples |
---|---|
Computer systems organisations | Calculus |
Data structures and algorithms | Statistics |
Computer engineering | Linear algebra |
Product design | Probability |
The advanced concepts you鈥檒l encounter in calculus or linear algebra be challenging. But don鈥檛 let that deter you from courses in computer science. As part of your electives, consider taking units like precalculus (or precalc) to help prepare you for the more rigorous maths modules you鈥檒l take for your course. If you鈥檇 like extra help with maths, many universities offer free tutoring services for students. It鈥檚 also a good idea to speak with your academic advisor about your concerns and see if they can recommend a strategy to help you successfully complete the course of your choice.听聽聽
Take a look at a few ways to make studying computer science and earning your bachelor's degree in the subject more manageable.
Taking an introductory computer science class may help you grasp important concepts and feel better prepared for more advanced classes once you begin your course. Review your university鈥檚 course catalogue to see what鈥檚 offered and if you can enrol during the first or second semester of your first year.听
You can also look into online tutorials or programming classes, such as those offered on 糖心vlog官网观看. While most computer science departments don鈥檛 expect students to have any prior programming knowledge, you may feel more comfortable鈥攁nd confident鈥攚ith a bit of extra preparation.听聽
If you鈥檇 like to become more familiar with programming, Princeton University鈥檚 Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose course will introduce you to many programming fundamentals and key computer science concepts.
Especially in the early days of your computer science degree, it may feel like there鈥檚 a lot to tackle and little time to do so. Get organised and create a schedule or routine to help you block off your time for your different responsibilities. Make sure you include time for classes, homework, programming practice, social activities, and rest.
Programming involves looking at code鈥攁 lot of code鈥攁nd catching minute errors buried deep within a long line of it. Improve your attention to detail (a key skill for a career in computer science) by improving your focus. Use external tools, like lists, to stay organised and on task. Look for games, like chess or Sudoku, to hone your focus. Programs like Lumosity and Elevate also offer a number of digital games designed to improve focus.听聽聽
Reach out for help to gain clarity on topics or get the support you need to feel confident in your computer science course. For starters, research tutoring resources, partner with a classmate, form a study group, or connect with your professor or instructor during office hours to build your skills. Asking questions along the way can make a big difference while also helping you network with your peers and faculty members.听聽聽
Earning your bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science has rewards鈥攂oth personal and professional.听
Beyond the core education you should receive as part of your computer science bachelor鈥檚 degree, you may also develop important workplace and technical skills to apply to your career. Some of the biggest skills those working in computer science use are :
Reading comprehension聽
Critical thinking skills
Judgement and decision-making
Problem-solving skills
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Moreover, many of these skills鈥攕uch as critical thinking and judgement鈥攁re highly valued transferable skills, meaning you can apply them to a number of jobs.听
Computer science is a growing industry with many opportunities, thanks to the increasingly digital nature of people鈥檚 lives. CompTIA鈥檚 2023 report on the state of the tech workforce in the UK estimates 2,043,622 tech workers were employed in 2022, and jobs are expected to increase [闭.听
A computer science degree can be quite versatile thanks to the technical know-how you develop as a result of your time in a programme. You can pursue roles like computer systems analyst or software developer, or you can pursue a number of related professions in robotics, web development, video game design, cybersecurity, and data analysis.听
Computer science professions tend to pay well. According to Glassdoor UK, the median annual salary for computer sciences is 拢53,245 per year [].
(All salary data the median annual salary from Glassdoor UK as of July 2024.)
Job title | Median UK salary |
---|---|
Web developer | 拢33,205 |
Network and computer systems administrator | 拢31,829 per year |
Computer programmers | 拢38,645 |
Computer systems analyst | 拢34,879 |
Database administrator | 拢34,564 |
Information security analyst | 拢40,187 |
Software developer | 拢43,312 |
Alternatives to a computer science degree
Dedicating four years to earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science can be a worthwhile pursuit, but it may not always be the best option to achieve your short- and long-term goals, especially if you鈥檝e already earned your degree in another subject and you鈥檙e interested in pivoting to a career in computer science. In that case, consider these three alternatives:聽
Attending an intensive programme like a boot camp can help you learn an aspect of computer science, typically in a much shorter timeframe than a bachelor鈥檚 degree. You can attend more general programming boot camps, where you learn a language, or you can focus on an area like web development, cybersecurity, or data science. Many boot camps are designed to prepare you for a career in the area of your choice and may feature job placement support.听聽
Beginner-level certifications are industry-approved training programmes that show your competency in a number of areas: IT, a programming language, network administration, and more. While more advanced certifications are available, looking for foundational knowledge in an area of computer science such as earning a certification, can be a faster way to gain important skills than a bachelor鈥檚 degree.听
Whether you鈥檙e looking to change careers and have no prior computer science knowledge, or you鈥檙e looking to advance in your career and want to develop specific skills in new areas, a professional certificate can help鈥攁nd add to your resume credentials. Explore a number of computer science Professional Certificates on 糖心vlog官网观看, including beginner-friendly IT Automation with Python from Google and Full Stack Cloud Developer from IBM.听
With proper time management, support, and knowledge of the field, you can earn a computer science degree despite any challenges you may face. Computer science is a growing field in the UK with high earning potential and various opportunities within the tech industry. If you鈥檙e looking to earn a degree in computer science online, try the BSc Computer Science from the University of London on 糖心vlog官网观看. The degree is completely online and gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of seven in-demand topics in the field, such as ML and AI, data science, web and mobile development, physical computing and IoT, game development, VR, or UX.
Yes, earning your bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science requires taking several maths classes, such as calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. 鈥 鈥
Absolutely. The maths classes in a computer science course involve advanced concepts, but you can gain a firm footing in maths by taking lower-level maths electives before beginning your course requirements.鈥 鈥
You do not need to know how to program before beginning your computer science degree, but any advanced preparation you can do鈥攂e it a Guided Project, tutorial, or class鈥攎ay help you as you undertake your bachelor鈥檚 degree.鈥 鈥
BCS. 鈥, https://www.bcs.org/articles-opinion-and-research/university-computing-departments-met-with-record-applicant-numbers-as-ai-hits-the-mainstream/.鈥 Accessed 8 July 2024.
CompTIA. 鈥淪, https://comptiacdn.azureedge.net/webcontent/docs/default-source/research-reports/comptia-state-of-the-tech-workforce-uk-2023.pdf?sfvrsn=92751023_0.鈥 Accessed 8 July 2024.
UK Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/united-kingdom-computer-science-salary-SRCH_IL.0,14_IN2_KO15,31.htm.鈥 Accessed 8 July 2024.
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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.