GCSE Computer Science for adults

[BlastedPimples]

Is this a really tough GCSE? I was thinking I should retrain and a GCSE with NEC would be a good start.

I have no idea - but had assumed there were alternative qualifications for adults in all academic subjects. Would you really have to take a GCSE rather than some sort of Access course?

It is one of the easiest GCSEs out there, but quite a boring curriculum. I know because both of my DS did it and found it really easy (and A level which is a bit better).

I have an MSc in Computing and now work as a web developer. The MSc was a conversion course for people with other degrees and was really good.

What are your aims? If you want to learn how to code there are better options out there. NEC has a good reputation though.

Where did you do your conversion MSc, please?

Distance Learning with Northumbria University.

Bit late to comment, but I'm an ex computer science teacher. I really wouldn't bother with GCSE. Are you looking for a route into a degree or just trying to improve your technical skills? If you want to learn programming I'd choose a python course on something like Udemy - they have some cheap beginner/intermediate courses. Or if you're interested in qualifications I'd look at some of the CompTIA certs. Much more useful than a GCSE.

@Netcam that MSc sounds like an interesting option, did you come to it with any previous tech knowledge/tech-related background?

I had taught myself a little as I had built my own website and I was becoming interested in programming, but I hadn't learnt that much. Quite a few people on the course were already in tech type jobs but had no relevant qualifications. However, it was a course for people with degrees in non tech subjects and basically we could learn everything from scratch if necessary.

@Netcam I have a non tech degree but used to work in tech (web developer) and would like to get back into it. Have been updating my skills recently but hadn't thought of this as an option. Is there any hardcore maths and statistics involved? Not my strong point

It wasn't really Computer Science in that respect, more practical, although backed up with lots of theory. We did Java, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Sytem design with UML, Project Management.

It was really useful as by the end of it, I was confident in building a CMS, which was useful for the work I ended up doing. It was about 8 years ago I did it, I doubt if the course is exactly the same now.

After that I only did part time freelance web development, mainly building CMSs. Recently, since my kids were older, I decided to get a full time web developer job.

But before I applied for jobs I did a 3 month full time JavaScript, TypeScript and React 'return to tech' course with Tech Returners, which was excellent and really upgraded my skills.

I understand since then Tech Returners have moved to doing 1 month rather than 3 month courses.

I would love to do that MSc conversion but I do worry I am simply not bright enough and with very very little tech knowledge.

@BlastedPimples have a look at Code First Girls for free training courses: I just finished an 8 week Kickstarter course (Intro to Data and SQL) which was excellent. No prior knowledge needed.

I had a look, they've changed the course quite a bit since I did it, but some modules are similar. The current content looks really good. It's now distance learning over 2 years rather than 3, which I did. I would try some free programming online courses and see how you get on. These are quite good: www.freecodecamp.org/

Also someone on the CFG thread recommended The Odin Project, which looks like quite a comprehensive free training resource.

That sounds really good.