Want to have your name up there with multi-billionaires Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame and Larry Page who invented the search engine, Google? They both studied computer science at university and it’s still a cutting-edge degree choice which could open lots of lucrative career doors into many different industries.

What’s computer science all about then?

Every day you undoubtedly encounter a product which has been developed by a computer science graduate. Computer science is at the core of almost everything you come across ranging from the obvious, like your phone and the social media websites you have accounts on, to perhaps the not-so-obvious, like patient information in the healthcare industry which needs to be kept up to date and secure whilst still being available to the correct medical staff. Computer science is a rapidly evolving and extremely relevant degree subject and is very desirable to employers across many industries.

Computer science degree courses

Of course, content varies from course to course and at different universities but generally, computer science degrees are very broad and cover everything from the theoretical, more mathematical side of computing but also cover its practical, real world applications. For example at the University of Surrey, students study computer languages including Java, C++, Android and Python, which one student went on to use practically to develop a system which detects events on CCTV footage. Due to the mathematical nature of the subject it is usually a requirement to have demonstrated an aptitude for maths, usually by having done maths A-level.

Some universities offer computer science students a year in industry as part of a degree. Potential employers will be looking for graduates with academic knowledge as well as the ability to apply that knowledge practically so a degree offering a year out working in industry is a good choice.

Careers after a computer science degree

Healthcare: A huge number of industries actively seek computer science graduates. Healthcare is just one industry which does so and graduates have been fundamental to recent advances in the sector such as mapping human DNA, processing images for radiology scans and health informatics , which is about creating electronic medical records.

Accountancy and finance: A degree in computer science is also very useful when looking to break into the financial sector as it an extremely useful employability skill which demonstrates confidence with mathematics, logical thinking and the ability to work well in a team. A computer science degree is also very applicable to finding work in the financial sector as it can be used to update/develop bank websites and apps, to keep customer information secure and repair any corrupted software which could be damaging to the business if it went undetected.

Gaming: Games development is a multi-billion pound industry which also employs many computer science graduates in a diverse array of roles such as programmer, quality assurance tester, 3D modeller and audio engineer.

IT

A more traditional route for a computer science graduate is becoming an IT consultant, working with clients and advising them on how best to utilise technology to increase efficiency or to overcome problems in order to grow a business. Typical tasks within IT jobs may vary from working with clients to determine what they need, how long it will take and then actually budgeting for, planning and executing projects for clients.

Career prospects and salary

Computer science is an extremely relevant, modern degree subject which is why an increasing number of industries are seeking graduates who have studied the subject. Because demand is high, top computer science graduates can expect to earn up to £43,000 a year after six months. Larger employers offer graduate schemes which allow participants to progress much faster than they otherwise would and which is beneficial for both parties as companies who participate in graduate schemes end up employing very talented individuals and graduate participants have better career prospects.

High flyers – the facts

• Computer scientists from Oxford University command the highest graduate salary in the UK. They earn on average £43,895, six months after they leave college and graduates from Cambridge and London’s Imperial College feature in the top ten for earnings.
• Google founder, Larry Page studied Computer Science at Stanford University in the USA – he is now worth $29.2 billion.
• Facebook founder mark Zuckerberg also studied Computer Science, this time at Harvard in the US and he is now worth $35.7 billion.

About The Author

Matthew Harness is studying for A-levels at Thorpe St. Andrew Sixth Form, Norwich