What can I do with a Computer Science degree?

A degree in Computer Science will give you the necessary skills you need to get your first job in the tech industry. Whether you decide you want a role in web design, cyber security, or data, a Computer Science degree will show your employer you have gained the basic skills and understanding to take on an entry-level job.

Is a Computer Science degree worth it?

The IT and tech industry is rapidly developing increasing the demand for IT and tech professionals. The global information technology market is expected to grow from £7.05 billion in 2021 to £7.9 billion in 2022. Companies understand the need to become customer-centric, and the need to develop their services, products, and software to suit their customer’s needs.

As the world becomes digital, companies can also use consumer data to predict behaviour and buying habits to improve their services, giving them an advantage over competitors.

Because the IT and tech market is thriving, it also means many benefits come with a job in the industry, including:

• Job security
• High-paying salaries
• Development and learning opportunities
• Job diversity

Modules you will learn on your Computer Science degree

Depending on the university you go to the modules you can study will vary. Computer Science is such a broad topic with many career opportunities and therefore you choose which modules to focus on, and tailor your course more to your interests and career plans. Modules can include:

• Artificial intelligence
• Data structures and algorithms
• Database design and implementation
• Full stack application development
• Foundations of computer science
• Operating systems & networks
• Computer programming
• Web application development
• Big data and machine learning
• Data privacy and protection

Skills to add to your CV from your Computer Science degree

Depending on which modules you choose will also determine your skill set. You will have a basic understanding of all topics; however, some hard skills will be more focused than others. You will also have the opportunity to develop your soft skills at university, which are equally important when applying for a job.

Hard skills learnt from a Computer Science degree:

• Programming skills
• Coding skills
• Data skills
• Cyber security skills
• Software development skills
• User experience skills
• Mathematical skills

Soft skills learnt from a Computer Science degree:

• Critical thinking skills. During university, you’ll have to decide on what topics to write about, which involves plenty of research and problem-thinking skills.
• Time management skills. All your projects with your course will come with deadlines, which is a transferable skill for real-life work experience
• Communication skills. As with most degrees, you will be required to submit written work of a certain standard, or give a presentation in front of your peers, this will inevitably improve both written and verbal communication skills
• Teamwork skills. Some projects will require you to work as part of a team, where you will work with different personalities that you might come across later on when working for a company.

Jobs you can apply for with a Computer Science degree

As mentioned previously, universities offer different modules for you to choose from to home in on a particular skill set making you more employable for specific job titles. Depending on the modules you choose, these are some of the following jobs you can apply for.

Software Developer

Similar job titles: Web Developer, Mobile Developer, Application Developer, and Software Engineers

The role of a Software Developer involves designing, installing, and evaluating a software system. After launching the system, they will need to maintain and update the programme to ensure there are no security or troubleshooting issues and everything runs smoothly. If you chose a module based on full stack application development, then this job role would be ideal for you.

The average salary of a Software Developer is £53,500

Cyber Security Analyst

Similar job titles: Systems Analyst, Cyber Security Consultant, Cloud Security Specialist, Governance Manager, and IT Security Architect.

A Cyber Security Analyst is responsible for protecting the networks, infrastructure, and systems of a business or organisation. As an analyst, they will need to monitor the system at all times and assess threats that could potentially breach the network. If you chose a module based on data privacy and protection, then this job role would be ideal for you.

The average salary for a Security Analyst is £30,250  

Data Scientist

Similar job titles: Data Architect, Data Analyst, and Data Engineer.

A Data Scientist is someone who performs statistical analysis, data mining, and retrieval processes on big data to identify and report trends, figures, and other information that will help make intelligent business decisions. If you chose a module based on data structures and algorithms, then this job role would be ideal for you.

The average salary for a Data Scientist is £63,500  

IT Support Technician

Similar job titles: Network Engineer, Database Administrator, and Systems Analyst

The role of an IT Support Technician in an organisation is to be responsible for looking after the technical systems within a company. They become the ‘go-to’ person should any technical problems arise. Day to day the role can vary, from troubleshooting IT problems to helping develop IT infrastructure. If you chose a module based on database design and implementation, then this job role would be ideal for you.

The average salary for an IT Support Technician is £25,500  

IT Consultant

Similar job titles: Business Analyst, Project Manager, and Technical Sales

Although an IT Consultant doesn’t have the most technical hands-on role, they still need a broad understanding of how systems and software work. The role of an IT Consultant involves communicating with various teams within the company, making sure deadlines are met and both customer and company goals are on target.

The average salary for an IT Consultant is £57,800  

A degree in Computer Science can open you up to a number of different job opportunities, and it allows you to learn some of the most in-demand skills for the future that will help you secure a top-level career.