Computer science
A computing degree opens up a range of IT careers from applications development to web design
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Application analyst
- Applications developer
- Cyber security analyst
- Data analyst
- Forensic computer analyst
- Game designer
- Games developer
- Penetration tester
- Secondary school teacher
- Software engineer
- Systems analyst
- UX designer
- Web designer
- Web developer
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Business analyst
- IT sales professional
- IT trainer
- Machine learning engineer
- Nanotechnologist
- Network engineer
- Telecommunications researcher
Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.
Work experience
Your computer science course may include a year in industry, which will give you the opportunity to develop commercial skills and build up a network of contacts.
If your course doesn't offer this, look for IT-related work placements, internships or shadowing opportunities advertised via your careers service or through companies such as Step and the EDT (Engineering Development Trust).
It's useful to develop a portfolio of your projects, such as those involving programming, building a website or game, or carrying out tasks online as a moderator. Evidence of, for example, your initiative and ability in fixing bugs, improving functionality or building an app will help show your skills and interest in the subject.
Some university clubs or societies can give you the chance to develop your computing, web design or multimedia skills and this can also be helpful when applying for graduate jobs.
Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.
Typical employers
Common employers are IT consultancies and IT service providers. However, as most businesses rely on computers to function effectively, there are also opportunities within the IT departments of major organisations in sectors such as:
- aerospace and defence
- agricultural
- banking and financial services
- education
- healthcare
- manufacturing
- local and central government
- retail
- telecommunications.
You can also find opportunities with a range of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Alternatively, you could set up your own business, providing IT services such as web design and consultancy.
Other options include going into teaching or lecturing, IT sales and marketing, or IT-related publishing, journalism and writing.
Find information on employers in information technology, media and internet, business, consulting and management, and other job sectors.
Skills for your CV
Computing degrees combine theoretical study and practical projects, teaching you subject-specific skills including:
- programming languages
- hardware architecture and construction
- network design and engineering
- software engineering
- multimedia design
- software tools and packages
- artificial intelligence.
You learn how to specify, design and construct computer-based systems, evaluate and recognise potential risks, and design creative solutions.
You also develop a range of other skills from your computing degree that are useful in all types of job. These include:
- teamwork and leadership
- communication
- problem solving
- analytical
- negotiation
- time management and organisation
- research
- report writing
- numeracy
- commercial awareness.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is especially important when you're working with computers as technology and software develops at such a rapid pace.
Further study
You may choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level, studying a computer science subject in greater detail through an MSc or PhD. Further study is essential for a career in academia and can be useful for a range of other careers, for example, developing new technologies and products. You can also combine work with further study through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP).
You could also complete a teaching qualification in order to teach IT in secondary schools. Find out more about teacher training options.
For information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees, search postgraduate courses in computer sciences and find out how to write a postgraduate computer science personal statement.
What do computer science graduates do?
Three-quarters (75%) of computer science graduates are working as programmers and software development professionals, IT business analysts, architects and systems designers, IT user support technicians, information technology professionals, cyber security professionals, IT operations technicians, data analysts, IT quality and testing professionals or management consultants and business analysts 15 months after graduation.
| Destination | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employed | 75.2 |
| Further study | 3.8 |
| Working and studying | 8.8 |
| Unemployed | 7.6 |
| Other | 4.5 |
| Type of work | Percentage |
|---|---|
| IT | 73.8 |
| Business, HR and finance | 4.3 |
| Retail, catering and customer service | 4 |
| Clerical, secretarial and administrative | 2.9 |
| Other | 15 |
Find out what other computer science graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?
Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.