Why Apply for Computing & IT?

In the digital age it’s no surprise that interest in Computing and IT degree courses is rising every day. Courses cover a range of areas from software to hardware, the user interface, and the expansion of technology into new areas of life and society.

Computing and IT graduates go on to work in a wide variety of industries. Graduate employment prospects are good and starting salaries are often higher than found in other industries.

Career options are both rewarding and challenging. For example, you could go on to work at the forefront of medical technology and scientific innovation.

Here’s more about studying Computing & IT and why it’s a great idea:

Where can I study Computing & IT?

Because of the importance of the subject you’ll find a Computing & IT course, sometimes known as Computer Science, at all of the top universities in the UK.

Here are the top 10 universities in the UK for computing related degree courses:

Cambridge
Imperial College London
Oxford
St Andrews
Bristol
Warwick
Durham
Southampton
University College London
Birmingham

There are also universities that offer their students the chance to spend a year learning abroad, which might surprise you.

These universities include the University of Leeds, the University of Bath, and Lancaster University.

What skills will I gain from a Computing & IT course?

Computing and IT degrees combine theoretical study and practical projects, giving you both time in the classroom and time in industry to put what you’ve learnt into practice.

The course will be designed to teach you subject-specific skills including:

Programming languages
Hardware architecture and construction
Network design and engineering
Software engineering
Multimedia design
Software tools and packages

You’ll learn how to specify, design and construct computer-based systems, evaluate and recognise potential risks and design creative solutions.

Why apply for Computing & IT?

Here are some reasons why applying for a degree in Computing & IT is a great idea:

Technology experts are always needed

In a world where we’re increasingly reliant on technology there will always be jobs for people with expertise in this area.

A Computing and IT degree will give you a strong foundation in many areas of technology and most courses include some time in industry so you can gain work experience before you graduate.

You’ll have excellent graduate prospects

Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of job opportunities for Computing & IT graduates. According to Prospects more than 75% of graduates are employed within six months of graduating.

Of course, the chances of you being employed are increased if you studied at one of the top universities for the subject. Some of these universities have figures as high as 93% for graduate employment.

You could be in the money

Starting salaries and the demand for computing professionals is reflected in higher salaries across the board. Computing & IT graduates tend to earn more on average than graduates from other subjects and this trend continues throughout your career.

You could work in any industry

Don’t be worried that it’s just the technology industry that is looking for Computing & IT graduates. Technology is used in every sector meaning that there is no shortage of places you can look for a job.

You’ll gain international contacts

As technology is vital across the world students often choose to study internationally, meaning you’ll have classmates from a diverse range of countries.

This means that by the time you graduate you’ll have a strong network of international contacts that could lead to employment in a variety of countries.

You could study abroad

On top of building an impressive network of international contacts you could have the opportunity to work abroad before you’ve even graduated.

As we said above, many universities offer their students the chance to go abroad, particularly if you’re combining your Computing & IT degree with a languages degree.

You’ll gain plenty of transferrable skills

Just because you’ll be a technology whizz by the time you graduate that doesn’t mean that you won’t gain other skills during your degree.

Other skills that will make you an attractive prospect to future employers include:

Teamwork
Leadership
Communication
Problem-solving
Negotiation and persuasion
Time management
Organisation
Report writing
Presenting reasoned arguments
Retrieval of information
Numeracy
Coping with rapid technological changes
Commercial awareness