Computer science degree without A level nor GCSE?

[Badbadbunny]

DS's school used to do the ECDL but stopped it when DS had only done it in year 7. They didn't offer any computer lessons afterwards, nor GCSE or A level options, so basically, he only has his "self taught" computer skills which are excellent. But he's had no "formal" teaching.

He keeps looking at Computing degrees or Maths with computing degrees, the Uni websites all say that GCSE/A level computer science isn't essential. But, he's worried about whether he'll start off on the back foot and have a lot of extra work to do to catch up with those who have A level in it.

Realistically, is it a sensible thing to do, or should he just accept he's missed the "computing" opportunity? His maths skills aren't in doubt - he got grade 9 in GCSE and also A*distinction in further maths. Currently doing Maths, Physics and Economics A levels.

He's currently torn between Maths with Economics or Maths with Computing, but really doesn't want to start Uni being stressed about having to catch up or do lots of extra work to cover what he's missed by not doing Computer science A level.

Any advice/comments please?

I can't speak definitively but in my view his maths qualifications will stand him in very good stead for a Computer Science degree. He's clearly self motivated abut computing as a hobby and given the amount of help that's available on the web, lack of that specific qualification shouldn't hinder him.

IMO he could pick up the basic terminology/concepts in a week from an online course/textbook ahead of going to university. And if the university don't think its essential, they'll have support material in place for those who haven't done it. If his maths is strong he'll be fine.

I did a computer science degree after doing ICT at GCSE but nothing at A Level. It is horrendously difficult. I eventually had to drop out due to the stress. Not saying this is always the case, just giving you my experience!

ECDL was not about learning to programme or write code, just using various software packages. So he’s not missing out. Same for the old format ICT. The new curriculum is a bit better but as long as he is good at maths he should be fine.

Maths will help him a lot. Also some places now offer foundation years for pure computer science, which is a really good idea as the dept I worked in we found it cut the number who dropped out - many people have a misconception of what it actually is (and I say that as someone who studied software engineering and got a shock when I did it!).

It's very common to think that everyone else on your course will have gone the 'standard' route, but reality that's rarely the case! I'd be surprised if even half of his new classmates did the ECDL and A level computer science and then went straight to uni, there's so many routes in these days, mature students etc. If in doubt, I'd recommend he email the head of computer science at his top choice uni and ask their opinion

What is he doing in terms of his self taught computer skills?

My son didn’t do gcse computing, he did some diploma thing that involved databases and making leaflets and stuff, that had him climbing the walls with boredom but that’s all his school offered. He did maths, further maths and physics at A level as his school didn’t offer A level computing. But outside of school his computer skills were highly developed, he started off doing online hacking challenges and CTF competitions and got involved (very successfully) with cyber challenge uk. He’s now in the second year of a masters program in computer science (information security) and hasn’t yet struggled with anything on the course, despite his lack of formal computer science education earlier on.

I was teaching A levels and went to a talk with my students at our local university. A lecturer in Computing from York was there talking about her course. Someone asked if they needed Computing or IT and she said no, they just had to be clever, good at Maths and enjoy working hard. Cue shocked intake of breath from my students

I never got my GCSE in maths never mind studied it further. I still managed to graduate with a 2:2, it would have been much much easier for me had I done it but I was able to manage without (just! - my grades for the maths modules weren't good!)

Because Southampton comp. sci is closely linked with their electronics department, I ended up at an open day with my DD in a talk by one of their admissions tutors. It's one of the highest ranked CS courses in the U.K., and he said explicitly that applicants did not need CS A levels (but that it was ok if they had done it, they'd spend the first term getting them out of their bad habits.)

If he's got self taught computing skills that will help for sure.

The other 'catch up' aspect with Maths and XXX courses could be whether not having A level FM might be a disadvantage (I don't know what the requirements are, it may not be an issue). He can email admissions tutors for courses he's interested in if he's got any doubts about how suitable they are with his A levels, it's the best way to get authoritative information.