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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to advise against computer science at uni for DS

38 replies

OnePunnyKoala · 26/10/2025 23:05

DS16 currently studies bio, chem and maths for a level as he's considering a career in medicine. Despite this he's not thinking of switching subjects so that they're more suited for CS. DS is very undecided between medicine and CS. Although he would prefer to study computer science at uni he heard that the job market is very oversatured and AI may replace a lot of jobs. Is studying computer science at uni worth it in 2025?

OP posts:
MidlandsGal1 · 26/10/2025 23:08

Computer science is one of the best subjects you can study, it’s tied with medicine for the top subjects. Leave it up to him.

A degree in computer science can be useful in the medical field, such as diagnostic equipment, he could do both.

Original poster
OnePunnyKoala · 26/10/2025 23:12

MidlandsGal1 · 26/10/2025 23:08

Computer science is one of the best subjects you can study, it’s tied with medicine for the top subjects. Leave it up to him.

A degree in computer science can be useful in the medical field, such as diagnostic equipment, he could do both.

I guess its possible for him to combine his passion for CS with medicine but become a doctor takes a LOT of time so adding CS would just make his time in uni even longer.

OP posts:
inmyera · 26/10/2025 23:12

My son is flying in his CS career, at just 25 he earns as much as I do in Early 50s. My work is also tech related and we are always looking for good computer scientists. I think its a great career move. Saying that, so is medicine!

titchy · 26/10/2025 23:13

Who do you think will be applying the AI? Who will be the AI experts of the future?

jbm16 · 26/10/2025 23:14

Both are great career paths, too much scare mongering, AI will replace some tasks however there is still great demand for people with the right skills, lots of roles in AI, Cypersecurity, Data Science etc.

ScaredAndPanicky · 26/10/2025 23:55

Have you seen how hard it is for graduate doctors to get jobs?
Take the software route if he enjoys it.

Katemax82 · 27/10/2025 00:20

My stepson studied CS at university he had a very well paid job (the contract ended but it was very well paid)

poetryandwine · 27/10/2025 00:37

It’s the low level IT and coding jobs, many not requiring degrees, that are being replaced by AI.

As @titchy implies, it is the computer scientists who are crucial for the AI.

XelaM · 27/10/2025 00:45

My brother was on a six figure salary in his 20's straight out of uni doing Computer Science. A junior doctor's salary (and stress levels) just don't compare

JustSomeRandomOnTheInternet · 27/10/2025 01:16

DS15 is planning on doing A levels in Maths, Physics and Computer Science at A level next year.

These are all his strongest subjects anyway (got 8/8/9 in his mocks) and at the college open evening the other night, we were told this is the nerd trio and having Physics as well is very beneficial to Computer Science.

DS has plans on getting a high paid job where he can WFH, or anywhere in the world, and I think it’s a good choice.

Travelban · 27/10/2025 02:06

I agree with everyone else and I am in the field myself.

verycloakanddaggers · 27/10/2025 07:01

The two things he's considering are so different in terms of what work would be like - medicine is very people-focused, CS is the opposite. Has he thought carefully about his personality and which job would fit best?

Also, where has he heard this about CS and AI? He needs to take care over his sources of info as there's a lot of opinion about AI now but not all of it is grounded in knowledge.

vivainsomnia · 27/10/2025 07:02

If he's not passionate about medicine, it is not the career for him.

Laserwho · 27/10/2025 07:05

I think he will be 18 by the time he goes to uni so it's none of your business what he studies.

Edamummybean · 27/10/2025 07:09

If he does physics he could specialise in a medical-adjacent field of engineering. There are lots of options open to him.

AndresyFiorella · 27/10/2025 07:11

I think CS offers much better (and less stressful) career paths than medicine

QuaintPanda · 27/10/2025 07:15

Still great prospect and money for CS

Which would he enjoy more on a day to day basis?

mamagogo1 · 27/10/2025 07:16

He needs to choose! And you don’t actually need computer science a level for a degree, my dd had maths, physics and electronics (her degree is in engineering but 50% overlap with cs degree her friend was on, the friend is now a cyber security specialist, dd is an engineer)

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 27/10/2025 07:20

titchy · 26/10/2025 23:13

Who do you think will be applying the AI? Who will be the AI experts of the future?

Absolutely this. My DS is doing a degree apprenticeship with a major bank, being paid a decent salary while he works 3 days and studies two days a week. At the end if it he will have a degree with no student debt and a hefty house deposit saved. He uses AI in some of his projects so will be more than comfortable with it in any future roles, whether he chooses data science, cybercrime or one of the other rotations he tries.

Your DS doesn’t need to also study as a doctor to make a career in CS work in the medical field. He could look for degree apprenticeship opportunities with pharmaceutical companies or in related fields. He could be earning 6 figures in his twenties. Not to be sniffed at. My other DS is currently on £50k in a professional job at 24 with no degree and is regretting his life choices as he sees his brother’s opportunities opening up!

Ghhbiuj · 27/10/2025 07:23

Computer scientists are building the future and automating jobs in medicine. Doctors roles will change at the hand of cs

aCatCalledFawkes · 27/10/2025 07:27

Cyber, data science and AI are all huge topics at the moment (I work in IT too), Cyber in particular has boomed with the growth of security operations centres that now sit outside of IT. AI and Data Science analysts/engineers make up a huge number of the people in our department - you do realise that AI is written by humans? It's not some self evolving product that develops itself?

ExtraOnions · 27/10/2025 07:33

Depends what he’s intending to do. AI Coding Assistants will certainly replace some coding roles, you won’t need as much technical training to be able to code. AI will most probably assist in areas such as architecture, data science etc. The key word is “assist”, it’s unlikely all jobs will be taken, but there may be fewer jobs, and the demand will be around the people who can strategise and develop the AI.

With all careers though, you are more likely to be sucessful if you love what you do. It’s now becoming much more common to switch careers, or have two or three different careers over a lifetime

PeanutCat1 · 27/10/2025 07:48

I would be encouraging the degree in computer science personally. DH is on six figures in his early thirties, amazing work/ life balance. 9-5, can work from home or travel to the office and loads of flexibility so that he can attend appointments/ kids school stuff whatever really. He works hard but doesn’t ever come home with work stress, no concerns about AI taking his job and no shortage of roles where we live.

My sister has a career in medicine, she is underpaid, extremely stressed and she works very unsociable shifts and often has to stay well after her shifts end. This will be the first Christmas Day she has had off in over 5 years but she will still be working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. She does it because she loves it and she’s really passionate about it but I’m not sure what she will do if/ when she decides to have a family.

macaroni234 · 27/10/2025 07:53

Laserwho · 27/10/2025 07:05

I think he will be 18 by the time he goes to uni so it's none of your business what he studies.

That probably depends whether they have to help fund it which they likely do as loans usually need topping up by parents. 5 years for medicine vs 3 for comp sci

Fearfulsaints · 27/10/2025 08:00

Are there any degrees out there there combine the two.

I dont mean being a doctor and computer scientist. But a biomed course with a lot of using technology to further the cause. Im thinking like making artificial limbs that operate with a chip in your head.

Its just if he wants to study medicine I think he needs a passion for it to be honest. Its a very different career to cyber security.