What can you do with a computer science degree?

Computer science degrees open up a range of great career opportunities. Graduates often find jobs in software engineering, web development, or information security. 

What's more, your degree will give you the skills and knowledge to surpass these roles. The scope of computer science means you can set your own path, developing groundbreaking apps, websites, games, and more.

Excluding outliers, venture capital in the UK reached an all-time high in 2023. And with the UK ranked the #3 tech ecosystem in the world, trailing only China and the USA, it's an exciting time for innovative thinkers looking to bring their ideas to life.

Read on to learn more about computer science degrees, why they're worth studying, and the type of roles that you could land in the future.

You can also view our range of computer science degrees, including the popular BSc (Hons) Computer Science and BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year.

Computer science career opportunities

Some of the most popular job roles relevant to a computer science degree include:

• IT consultant

• cybersecurity consultant

• information systems manager

• games developer

• computer hardware engineer

• computer systems analyst

• web developer

• database administrator

• software engineer

• IT security specialist

• data scientist

IT consultant

IT consultants work in partnership with clients to meet their business objectives, or to overcome any industry boundaries they encounter. Your main goal will be to resolve any issues the client is facing or help them implement new systems and to analyse IT requirements within companies and to provide them with expert advice. The role of an IT consultant can be incredibly rewarding, and you will most likely work on both small and large projects with satisfying results.

Cybersecurity consultant

As a cybersecurity consultant, your role will be of utmost importance to any industries that use your valuable services. By identifying problems and evaluating security issues, assessing risks and implementing solutions to battle any threats to an organisation's computer systems, you are going to act as the first line of defence in the computer world. 

There are also opportunities to specialise in a cybersecurity degree, which might provide a more direct career path into cybersecurity roles than a computer science degree. Whether you take an in-house role or decide to use your services on an agency or freelance basis, you will be making the world of computing slightly safer each day.

Information systems manager

When working as an information systems manager, also known as an IT manager, your role will include ensuring the secure and effective operation of all computer systems, related applications, and hardware and software within a variety of public and private organisations. You will develop excellent management skills in the virtual and real world, and be ready to lead an effective team to keep computer systems running smoothly.

Games developer

If you love the art and design of video games, then the role of a game developer could be for you. Essentially, game developers help transform concept art, scripts and ideas into an interactive experience. By using coding, programming, testing and many other methods, game developers see the initial vision turn into a reality that the whole world can play and enjoy. If you love to create, then this role could be incredibly rewarding for you.

A computer science degree can come in very handy for those looking to get into the world of game development. There is also the option to study a computer games design degree, which involves modules specifically catered to game design. 

Computer hardware engineer

As a computer hardware engineer, you'll be responsible for building the hardware components that a computer needs to function. You'll also design, develop and install computer systems like memory devices, routers, and circuit boards. New software often causes users' needs to change; when this is the case, you'll redesign more bespoke hardware to work with the new software.

Computer hardware engineers also test and analyse their own designs and results to ensure functionality. This makes creativity and patience essential, as well as technical skill.

Computer systems analyst

If you're interested in becoming a computer systems analyst, you'll merge IT initiatives with overall business goals and needs. This will involve identifying, assessing, and analysing the IT needs of a business and communicating them to your employer. 

You'll also have a focus on improving productivity and efficiency, suggesting relevant changes to software and hardware. Communication is a key part of the role, so good interpersonal skills will be beneficial.

Web developer

As a web developer, your primary duties are to create and maintain websites. This involves both front-end development (producing content and designing site layouts) and back-end development (ensuring a site's features are working as intended). 

You'll be responsible for building user-friendly websites that can accommodate the traffic they attract. In addition to your technical skills, you'll also need good communication skills to help simplify complex terms and ideas.

Database administrator

Your role as a database administrator will likely be determined by the company you work for and the database management system it uses. More generally, you'll be responsible for database development and management. This includes developing data resources and protecting sensitive information.

You'll also ensure that data is clear, consistent, and accessible. In addition to attention-to-detail, you'll need problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues.

Software engineer

As a software engineer, you'll build software and programmes for computers. This will require knowledge of engineering principles, mathematics, and computational theories, in addition to strong scientific analysis skills to project outcomes.

Your tasks will generally fall into one of two categories: front-end and back-end development. You'll need code-writing skills and strong technological skills.

IT security specialist

IT security specialists help companies identify potential security breaches, implementing relevant security measures as a result to protect data.

If you choose the role, your responsibilities involve updating company software and recommending security updates. Other tasks include ethical hacking, risk analyses, and vulnerability testing. You'll need strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Data scientist

As a data scientist, you'll create algorithms to inform business decisions. You'll collect, store, and analyse data, using this to suggest solutions to problems.

You'll need knowledge of software tools and programming languages, as well as technical and problem-solving skills. You'll also need to be familiar with coding, machine learning, algorithms, analytics and modelling.

What do computer science graduates go on to do?

Here, we take a look at graduate market trends for more data-driven insights into what you can expect to be doing once you complete your degree. View the data below:

Outcomes 15 months after graduation

• Working full-time in the UK: 66.8%
• Working part-time in the UK: 9.7% 
• Working and studying: 8%
• Further study: 4.6%
• Unemployed, including those due to start work: 6.4%
• Other: 4.5%

Type of work for those in employment

• Arts, design and media professionals: 4.4%
• Business, HR and finance professionals: 4.3%
• Education professionals: 2.0%
• Engineering and building professionals: 1.4%
• Health professionals: 0.0%
• Information technology professionals: 69.2%
• Legal, social and welfare professionals: 0.4%
• Managers: 1.5%
• Marketing, PR and sales professionals: 1.6%
• Science professionals: 0.4%
• Other professionals, associate professionals and technicians: 0.8%
• Childcare, health and education occupations: 0.5%
• Clerical, secretarial and numerical clerks: 3.1%
• Retail, catering, waiting and bar staff: 6.4%
• Skilled trades, crafts and other vocational occupations: 1.5%
• Other occupations: 2.5%

Type of course for those in further study

• Doctorate (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes): 10.4%
• Master’s (e.g. MA, MSc): 43.2%
• Other: 12.7%
• Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE): 7.6%
• Professional qualification: 26.1%

Top ten professional jobs held by first-degree graduates

1. Programmers and software development professionals
2. IT user support technicians
3. IT business analysts, architects and system designers
4. Cybersecurity professionals
5. Information technology professionals n.e.c
6. Graphic and multimedia designers
7. IT operations technicians
8. IT quality and testing professionals
9. Data analysts
10. Secondary education teaching professionals

Skills you’ll gain from studying computer science

You’ll gain a range of both technical and soft skills throughout your computer science degree. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Technical skills

Key technical skills include:

Programming skills

You'll develop strong programming skills from building and testing programmes. Using a variety of languages will widen your skill set, supporting you in future applications.

Software development skills

You'll learn to design, build, and maintain software, from a range of apps to specific organisation programmes. These desirable skills will help you stand out to employers.

Data analysis skills

Your degree will require you to analyse and interpret complex data – an important skill that's transferable to a range of roles.

Technical writing skills

Computer science is full of technical terms, so you'll develop technical writing skills that allow you to convey these in a way that's easier for people to understand.

Maths skills

Maths is another key facet of computer science, and you'll build your skills by interpreting statistics, building difficult formulas and working with code.

Soft skills

Key soft skills include:

Communication skills

As discussed, you'll need to communicate complex ideas, both verbally and in writing. With practice over the course of your degree, you'll build proficiency in this key area.

Teamwork skills

You'll conduct group work throughout your studies, working with others in different capacities to solve important problems.

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are a foundation of computer science. Your studies revolve around using computers, data, analysis, and more to creatively solve problems and produce ideas.

Time-management skills

You'll need to navigate deadlines, revise for assessments, plan your work ahead of time, and more. These will all help you build strong time management and organisational skills.

Attention to detail

Attention to detail is vital in computer science. By looking at long lines of code and analysing data, you'll develop this key transferable skill.

Creativity

Creativity will support you when solving the inevitable problems that arise as a computer scientist. By practising problem-solving and exploring new ways of thinking throughout your degree, you'll build creative skills.

Work experience

When studying for a degree in computer science, it is a popular choice to explore doing a placement or ‘sandwich’ year after completing your second year of study.

This can be an incredibly beneficial addition to your studies, as you can gain some hands-on real-world industry experience, whilst also getting paid and learning new skills. 

Students also find it helpful to create contacts within their industry year, as this can help them reach employment after graduating from the course. The University of Wolverhampton can help you find many different industry year opportunities if this option is of interest to you.

Options for a sandwich year degree at the University of Wolverhampton include:

BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich Placement

The course aims to produce software developers who can seamlessly make the transition from University to the international computer industry.

BSc (Hons) Computing and Information Technology with Sandwich Placement

This computing and information technology degree provides graduates with an excellent foundation in the key areas of modern computing, while also offering the facility to follow more specialised routes.

BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity with Sandwich Placement

This cybersecurity degree aims to give students a fundamental understanding of how to protect organisations, networks, IT systems and individuals against cyber attacks and cyber threats.

Reasons to pursue a career in computer science

A career in computer science is a smart choice for many reasons. Perhaps most importantly, computer science is a field with an incredibly bright future. Not only for employment reasons as the degree is only rising in demand, but also in terms of the amazing things you could contribute and achieve during and after studying this interesting subject.

In addition to strong job growth prospects and employment opportunities, computer science graduates can command high salaries. Average national salaries for high-paying roles are included below (data taken from Indeed):

• Chief technology officer: £95,017 per year
• Software architect: £72,938 per year
• Data warehouse architect: £69,325 per year
• Python developer: £65,184 per year
• Cloud consultant: £65,189 per year
• Data scientist: £50,317 per year
• Software engineer: £44,547 per year

With plenty of opportunities ranging from in-house, agency or freelance work, you have plenty of paths to wander. A computer science degree can lead to a variety of different career paths. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider pursuing a career in computer science:

• Explore a diverse range of roles
• Enjoy opportunities for creativity
• Get the chance to apply your research and problem-solving skills

Another factor that interests many applicants is that you'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies. As a computer scientist, you'll get to work on developing new technologies and applications that can have a real-world impact, which can be incredibly rewarding. For instance, according to the US International Trade Administration, The UK AI market is worth more than £16.8 billion, and is expected to grow to £801.6 billion by 2035. This represents an exciting and lucrative opportunity for graduates, and is just one of several expanding markets in the field.

If you're looking for a stable career with good earning potential, pursuing a degree in computer science is an excellent choice. 

Computer science degrees at the University of Wolverhampton

We offer a range of computer science degrees delivered by subject experts. These include:

• BSc (Hons) Computer Science
• BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Foundation Year
• BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Sandwich placement
• BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity
• BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity with Sandwich placement

Choose your course today, or book an open day to learn more.

Final thoughts on computer science degrees

A computer science degree can take you to many places.

Whilst you might think that a computer science degree is only good for working in the tech industry, it can also help you reach many different places. With a computer science degree, you can work in different interesting industries, including healthcare, finance, and even fashion.

So what can you do with a computer science degree? The answer is almost anything. If you’re interested in working with computers, then a computer science degree is a great choice. The possibilities are endless and you will be able to make a real-world difference within your work. If you’re thinking of pursuing a career relating to computer science, please take a look at our full-time, three-year BSc (Hons) Computer Science degree at the University of Wolverhampton.