Computer science or Engineering?

[wewillalwayshaveparis]

Hi everyone,

My daughter is good in sciences in general and wants to go to uni to study either computer science or engineering but can't make her mind up.

What would you advise? Which one has got better perspective?

Thank you

There’s lots of types of engineering - maybe something like electronics combined with CS might suit?

Which one interests her the most? Computer science and engineering have excellent prospects and she will do best in the one that interests her most.

Students who do elec eng can easily move into computer science. The previous poster's suggestion of a combined degree is also a good one.

Depends what she’s interested in. It’s easy enough to move across both fields if your course is robust enough. Having said that she shouldn’t do engineering if she wants to work in IT / Tech. Engineering grads in tech fields were a fad. The preference is now ‘hard’ Computer Science / Data Science / AI / Machine Learning depending on the field.

I don't think engineering grads in tech fields were simply a fad.

Many of the 'hard' AI / Machine Learning specialists have an engineering background as the areas are inextricably linked. Universities with the best reputations usually have strong links with engineering. For example, the MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence in Cambridge is delivered by the Department of Engineering.

Similarly, Data Scientists increasingly need systems knowledge and often ave a relevant undergraduate degree (e.g. biology, economics, engineering, etc.) combined with a postgraduate data science qualification.

I am a former Russell Group STEM admissions tutor and I agree that these are both wonderful fields. Objectively there is no wrong answer.

If your DD is somewhat practical minded, likes making things, tends to prefer the applied side of Maths and/or Physics, I would say those are indicators towards Engineering. Within Engineering, Mech Eng and EE perhaps draw most on Maths and Physics. If she loves logic puzzles, prefers pure Maths and , to the extent she knows it, discrete maths, and of course if she enjoys coding or thinks she would, those would tip the balance toward CS. Note that amongst the top CS programmes in the UK, few require or recommend CS A level. But I think a couple do.

Agree with what most other posters are saying, she should do what she likes most. Does she know what she likes most? If not, poetryandwine's post just above mine has some good suggestions.

HESA data shows computer science (and related) degrees as well as engineering degrees have excellent career prospects. Graduates in both these areas have higher full time employment rates (in professional roles) as well as earning higher than average. (see luminate.prospects.ac.uk/what-do-technology-engineering-and-maths-graduates-do)

Note that it is also fairly common in UK, US and elsehwere for non-computer science engineers to work on software development in a variety of areas. But the transition other way is almost impossible (computer science degree holders will not be able to fill, say, mechanical engineering roles)

My first degree was Electronics engineering (aeons ago! outside UK) and it had been relatively straightforward to find software development roles both here in UK, and other countries, despite not having a CS degree. I also hire graduates / experienced professionals, and a high percentage of them are filled by non-CS graduates (not just engineers, but also mathematicians, physicists and also once someone with a philosophy degree!)

For sure some niche roles (say, CPU design or compiler development for instance) can only be filled by CS grads, but vast majority of jobs in this field aren't those types.

Was going to suggest Computer Systems Engineering at Kent, which one of DS1's friends did, but that was a while ago now and it appears that the course is no longer available. However, there is this one, which sounds quite interesting?
www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/4424/electronic-and-computer-engineering-with-a-year-in-industry-meng

It depends what she wants to do afterwards.

If she wants to go into Tech there are plenty of routes which don't require a degree. DH is a Data Engineer and says most of the better people he's worked with haven't had degrees but have worked their way up through professional qualifications.

Computer Science is often more like an Applied Mathematics degree at top universities, which is worth bearing in mind.

If Comp Sci is something she likes, it may be worth looking at the PWC Flying Start apprenticeship. It's a great opportunity. PWC pay you to go to university and unlike normal apprenticeships, it's not a hybrid between work and study, you study full time like any other student for 3 years, you just get work placements in the summer.

DH is now an Emeritus Professor in an excellent Russell Group university and I must respectfully disagree with @Phos ‘ claim that a CS degree has much in common with a degree in Applied Maths.

There can be a large element of Discrete Maths or Combinatorics, a fair amount of Mathematical Logic, and bits of other advanced maths in the more theoretical CS degree programmes. But the Logic is the purest of Pure Maths and although the Combinatorics is usually considered ‘Applied’, the phrase ‘Applied Maths’, particularly in the UK, leads one to think on other directions. However historically CS studies took place in Mathematics Schools.

@Phos ’ suggestion to investigate the PWC Flying Start Apprenticeship is brilliant!

PS. DH is an Emeritus Mathematics Professor