Where is your DC studying Comp.Science?

[Mamam1a]

If not Oxbridge material. DS is More of a BBB type student. Where is the next best place to study Computer science with those grades? He ideally wants one with a placement year. We’ve looked at the league table but it all starts to get blurry as you read through. Nottingham seems good, but Surrey seem to have a very good placement programme, then there’s Bath with good links to industry, then Loughborough etc.

[fromwesttoeast]

But if you are going to get BBB you can’t expect to go to a top university. You need to work with what you’ve got. You have to go where you can fit in.
We looked at both City and Brunel. They offer lots of job focus. Not high flying jobs - that’s true - but most people are not high flyers.

[JohnHunter]

@Becca19962014 This was my experience at university as well. The computer science students seemed to fall into two camps... either they found it very straightforward and sailed through or didn't and really struggled. The drop out rate appeared to be high and - at graduation - there were lots of 1st class degrees and lots of 3rd/pass degrees.

I would imagine that a personable computer science graduate with a good degree (2.1/1st) would be very desirable indeed. I wonder if any employment stats are skewed downwards by those with 3rd/pass degrees and - if I may - those who might be very bright but have some personality traits that make them less attractive to employers.

[Shandybass]

Aberystwyth University has a great Computer Science department and is a smallish campus Uni with great accommodation and a homely feel. Well worth a visit.

[impostersyndrome]

sassymuffin from my own DS’ experience studying CS at university, further maths is a big advantage, but those who hadn’t taken it do catch up if they’re capable. The advantage is both in comprehension, and also having a softer start during the first year when all the pressures of being away from home prevail. Not sure what the solution is though, unless he drops physics, but he’d need to be 100% sure of his plans.

[LizzieB72]

DS2 has applied for Loughborough (AAB),Swansea (ABB), Notts Trent (Not sure BBB?) Lincoln and De Montfort. The last 2 were pretty low grades I think. He really really really wants Loughborough, and its the only uni that up til now hasn't offered him a place..

[user1471531877]

York is Russell group uni and very well respected.
They offered ABB last year after interviews.
They then let people in with BBB last year after results so definitely within reach.
I don't know of many people who actually achieved their predicted grades in the last 2 years - the majority dropped by a grade or even two
The Universities know this and will often let students in with lower grades ( this is not true of the more competitive Universities / competitive courses )

[sassymuffin]

Thanks for the insight imposter. Yes he is determined to pursue computer science - he was initially torn between that and history but after being really disappointed with his GCSE result it seemed to make him realise how important the subject was to him . He doesent seem keen on further maths but i will get him to do a bit more research into how it could help him in the future. I think because it isnt listed as a pre requisite at many universities he thought he would choose a subject he enjoyed more.

[Mamam1a]

After a lot of talk thinking, DS has decided he doesn’t reLly enjoy programming after all. He got a B at gcse for the subject. Although he is still very keen on doing something within technology, he’s now begun looking at ‘Computing’ or Computing with Business, IT with Business such courses. It seems there aren’t many Unis that actually offer these courses. I remember back in my Computer science was the be all and end all of anything to do with computers. He’s very keen on Loughborough. Also he is in lower sixth form so may still have time to push his grades up with hard work.
Liverpool offer a course I Financial Computing which also looks interesting. Not really sure what I’m asking at this point , perhaps it’s just nice to share thoughts with others in the same boat.

[BubblesBuddy]

My apologies about Bournemouth and Poole. I faithfully reported what I was told! Whatever the geography, he wasn’t happy!

[BigGreenOlives]

UEA does a business with computer science course I think - have a look & check.

[sendsummer]

DS has decided he doesn’t reLly enjoy programming after al
Any computing degree will be programming. Financial Computing will require learning programming to analyse financial markets.

[EBearhug]

he is determined to pursue computer science - he was initially torn between that and history

I have a history degree, and then did an MSc conversion in computer science. Mind you, it was back on the dark ages.

[fromwesttoeast]

OP, he should look at the ITMB course at Loughborough and other unis. That’s business computing. ITMB iis run at Aston and Queen Mary’s as well with similar entry requirements. There will still be some programming - but the focus is different from straight comp sci.
Bradford, Nottingham Trent and Coventry have more business or IT oriented courses.
He could also consider a management with computing type course, such as they run at Royal Holloway.

[impostersyndrome]

sassymuffin - I think the reason it isn't listed as a prerequisite is that many schools don't offer FM, so don't wish to exclude good candidates. Back in the day when DS was applying, he was told that as his school offered it, he'd be expected to take it. Though this information is 2+ years out of date.

[PersianCatLady]

My apologies about Bournemouth and Poole. I faithfully reported what I was told! Whatever the geography, he wasn’t happy!
That's OK.

I can understand his issue though as a few years ago not all first years could live in halls so a lot of them lived in shared houses quite close to the uni.

The people in halls lived very close to Bournemouth town centre and it was all very disjointed (can't think of a better word).

Now all first years are guaranteed a place in halls if BU is there firm choice as there have been a lot of investment in new halls close to Bournemouth town centre.

[Pantah630]

Persian and Bubbles there is a hall of residence in Poole, it's by the bus station/Bridge to Baiter but most of the halls are in Bournemouth. You're both correct. Another Xch resident, ex Dorset Institute old gimmer student

[lljkk]

DH works in "the industry". My maid of Honour works in another part of "the industry." Very few of the programmers they work with went to Uni. MoH say females are easier to find than ppl with a Uni degree. If it were my son, I'd suggest & help investigate business/ICT apprenticeships (the higher level ones?) rather than going to Uni.

[PersianCatLady]

Persian and Bubbles there is a hall of residence in Poole, it's by the bus station/Bridge to Baiter but most of the halls are in Bournemouth
Yes you are correct, the new one Corfe House but even though it claims to be for both UG and PG students, it is nearly all PG students.

I asked my friend who asks at the uni why th8is is and she said that it is quieter and the UG students want to be in Bournemouth town centre close to their friends.

[PersianCatLady]

ex Dorset Institute old gimmer student
Some of the books in the new library have DORSET INSTITUTE LIBRARY stamped inside them even though it has been a while since then.

[Pantah630]

Lol, it went from DI to Wally Poly to BU in a very short space of time, I'm not surprised.

[ExcitementBubble]

If he likes the sound of financial computing that would be an excellent way into accountancy. Accounting these days in large organisations is all about the systems and computing/programming knowledge would be a huge advantage.

[PersianCatLady]

Lol, it went from DI to Wally Poly to BU in a very short space of time, I'm not surprised
I just looked it up online -
1976 - 1990 - DIHE
1990 - 1992 - BP
1992 onwards - BU

I didn't actually know this before because I wasn't even born in 1976 and I was too young to care in 1992 but it is really interesting how the name and purpose was changed due to various education policy changes both locally and nationally.

[thefishcake]

I work in the industry, and have a masters in comp sci, so know a fair bit about this area (For anyone who cares, I work in Enterprise Architecture, having worked in software development, and infrastructure)

Comp sci is hard - lots of exercises that you have to do yourself, lots of self study in the first year or so. If you can get past the first year, then it gets better.

It's not all about programming! Lots of knowledge / teaching around Boolean, digital, algorithms, data structures, operating systems etc.

A good degree can mean a good job - there's a shortage of good guys out there, but a degree is not the only option - apprenticeships are just as good!

Year in industry is massive help - I've hired many people from grads to senior management, and when you're starting, having industry knowledge is massively helpful. In uni, they teach you how to code. In industry, they teach you how to develop software, that hundreds of people may work on, that lasts for years. Uni is the first step of many before you're "good" at what you do!

Check the course is accredited to the BCS, but doesn't need to be Russel group (in my experience, having done this for a while...)

Also, being a programmer is not the only path. Lots of jobs in cyber security, project management, infrastructure, networks etc. Good degree can help with all of these.

Good luck whatever he chooses though!

[TabbyTigger]

DN is at York and I think was asked for ABB after going to an interview. I think some of the others he applied to (Sheffield/Nottingham/Leeds) wanted AAA or AAB but he also applied to and was impressed by Lancaster - no idea what they ask for.

Taking note of your update about computing/business, I know DeMontfort has a similar course and one of my friend’s DDs is very happy there. I think Surrey and Northampton might also have courses worth looking at - know teens who have been really impressed by both unis when looking around.

[TabbyTigger]

Oh, Newcastle also gave 2 of DS’s friends unconditional offers for computing last year.