Technology has transformed the way we live every aspect of our lives, and computers are at the heart of this, underpinning so much in our homes and workplaces. Because of this, graduates with degrees in computer science are in substantially high demand. So, we’re delving into everything you need to know about studying for a degree in computer science.
Why should I study for a computer science degree?
With news that the UK is facing a significant shortage in workers with tech skills, there’s never been a better time to dive into a computer science degree.
According to the Computer Science in the Classroom Report conducted by OKdo in the last year, vacancies for computer-science-related jobs have grown by 281% compared to the previous year, with the average advertised salary for these roles being 12% more than the national average. The demand for workers with specialised computing skills and knowledge shows no sign of stopping and undertaking a computer science degree will significantly support your career ambitions within this industry.
More generally, a degree is an excellent opportunity for you to develop many other softer skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving. You may also have to present your findings to groups of your peers and work alongside them to solve questions, which will help your confidence and collaboration skills. We’ll encourage and challenge you throughout our course modules to examine real-world case studies and adapt the theoretical skills you’ve gained to solve real-world issues.
Studying at a university also offers ample opportunity to network, including with academics and industry professionals, and this can be invaluable to your career aspirations after graduation. For example, each year our computer science students have the opportunity to showcase their project work to the region’s leading digital businesses as part of the annual Digital Showcase. This is a great opportunity to interact with potential employers and show them what you’re specialising in as part of your degree course.
What will I learn on a computer science degree?
At undergraduate level, a degree in computer science will usually equip you with the fundamentals of computing. At postgraduate level, you’ll further specialise in advanced and complex areas of computing, including data science and cyber security.
Undergraduate Computer Science
On the BSc Computer Science course, you’ll dive into fully understanding how a computer works and functions, alongside a knowledge of applications for a multitude of platforms including web and mobile. You’ll also explore the fundamentals of programming and learn to understand different programming languages.
Game Development
Our Game Development course will prepare you to develop games both independently and in a multidisciplinary environment. You’ll focus on programming in this discipline and learn programming languages such as C# and C++. Our Game Development students are able to test out what they’ve developed in a fully functioning gaming lab, with gaming rigs comprised of i7 processors and RTX 3060 Ti graphics cards.
Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
Cybercrime is becoming increasingly more complex and difficult for organisations to address and therefore the need for professionals in this area is crucial. The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics degree will provide you with the foundations of computing, alongside the skills to preserve and extract digital evidence.
Postgraduate Computer Science
At postgraduate level, you’ll have the opportunity to further specialise and delve into more extensive research of your chosen discipline.
Computing
Undertaking our postgraduate Computing will build on and enhance the technical knowledge you gained at undergraduate level. You’ll deepen your understanding of the processes needed to design and work an IT system, alongside completing a masters level research project around your chosen topic.
Cybersecurity
The postgraduate Cybersecurity degree will prepare you for a professional career in the cybersecurity profession. You’ll dive into critical security topics including network security and cybersecurity in organisations and use a range of tools to investigate data and programming.
Data Science
On our Data Science course, you’ll study the core fundamentals of this area, including data mining, machine learning, data analytics, and security of big data. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, use your technical skills to analyse data and use solid evidence to communicate solutions.
What can you do with a computer science degree?
Due to its highly adaptable and analytical nature, there are a broad range of jobs you can get with a computer science degree. You’ll have the opportunity to specialise throughout your studies, as you may want to explore the fields of cyber security, programming, game development, databases and mobile technologies.
The career paths you’ll be able to apply for are hugely varied, so you may end up working within anything from healthcare to tourism, finance to government, and so many more areas.
Some of the jobs you can go into with a computer science degree are:
- applications developer
- game developer/designer
- data scientist
- software developer
- IT management
- cybersecurity specialist
- web developer/designer
Find out more
Ready to take the leap? Find out more about Computer Science and discover which of our courses is the right fit for you.
We’d love to meet you, so join us on campus at one of our Open Days to discover more about the University of Sunderland.
Published: 8 December 2022