Are you a world-changer? Whether it’s finance, health, the creative industries or sport, the study of computer science helps build the technology that fuels big leaps forward.
The impact you could make
- Help people work, learn and communicate better
- Play a key role in solving global problems, including climate change
- Develop technologies that can drive advances and even take us to space
What you might study
- Algorithms and data structures
- Database systems
- Mathematical principles
- Programming languages and software development
- Web and mobile apps
- Cyber security
- Artificial intelligence
Example assignment
Undergraduate degree
Create a prototype design for an app interface, based on user design techniques.
Example project
Degree apprenticeship
Assign tasks and run meetings for a team of developers working on an AI project at IBM.
Maths
Science
Physics
Information technology
Studying computing at the University of South Wales
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Wondering what studying computing is like? Academics and students at the University of South Wales describe their experiences.
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Famous people who studied computer science
- Mark Zuckerberg - founder of Facebook
- Reed Hastings – CEO of Netflix
- Marissa Mayer – CEO of Yahoo
- Jimmy Fallon – talkshow host
- Karlie Kloss – model
- Liam Neeson - actor
Available jobs
304,689 vacancies
in 2022. 3% growth over next 8 years
Average salary
£44,154
Up to £78,089
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study computer science at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from computer science applicants.
A levels
BBC
Highest: AAA > Lowest: CCD
Scottish Highers
AAABB
Advanced Highers: BBB
Vocational
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computing, SVQ IT Professionals - SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A Levels/Highers.
Specific entry requirements vary considerably, depending on the focus of the course. For example, a very theoretical course may require A level Mathematics, whereas Business IT programmes would probably not ask for any science background beyond GCSE. Few courses specify A level Computing or equivalent.
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Find out more
Read our guide to IT and digital apprenticeships.
Chat to a current computing student
Chat to a current computer science student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Skills, experiences and interests to mention
- Are you good at problem solving? Do you enjoy playing games like Minecraft?
- Have you ever coded something? Maybe you’ve used Raspberry Pi or have done CodeClub
- Can you confidently discuss the debate around happens to our personal information online?
- Could you talk about the benefits of AI and how it will change the world of work?
- Teamwork and communication is really important in this field. Have you ever been part of a team? Maybe a hackathon or even a sports team? Have you ever organised an event at school?
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Try CodeAcademy
Learn to code for free. -
AppMaster
Watch YouTube videos of how to develop apps without code. -
WIRED podcasts
Find out about the latest way tech is changing our lives.
Degrees
Degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
Higher Technical Qualifications
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are an alternative to apprenticeships or degrees.
They have been specifically designed with employers to ensure learners get the skills that employers have said they need. They are a quicker and cheaper alternative to a degree and can lead to higher wages early in a career.