Bristol vs Birkbeck vs Birmingham for MSC Computer Science conversion course

So, I'm considering a computer science conversion course and, as I did my Undergrad in Philosophy, I've narrowed it down to these three universities.

Does anyone have any advice as to where I should apply? Any help would be much appreciated.

Reply 1

gbuchanan

8

Each of those institutions is good, but which one is best depends somewhat on your personal circumstances and future plans.

Computing is a broad church, and if you want to do more technical, programming-focussed roles, then that would lean in one direction, and all three are possibles. If you are clear about wanting a technical specialism, then it would quite likely mean that one course stands out - e.g. do you want web, mobile, or numerical analysis work?

If your goals are more in the domain of systems analysis or interaction design (usability) work, then those programs may not be optimal in any case. Those topics tend (if done well) to be MSc only anyhow.

I see you've got a geographical spread, but Birkbeck is an evening course specialist. Again, which career goal you have may weigh more in one direction. For example, Bristol is near a lot of aerospace and device design businesses, which would give it an edge there...

All the best,

George

Reply 2

meltedcow

OP

Original post by gbuchanan

Each of those institutions is good, but which one is best depends somewhat on your personal circumstances and future plans.

Computing is a broad church, and if you want to do more technical, programming-focussed roles, then that would lean in one direction, and all three are possibles. If you are clear about wanting a technical specialism, then it would quite likely mean that one course stands out - e.g. do you want web, mobile, or numerical analysis work?

If your goals are more in the domain of systems analysis or interaction design (usability) work, then those programs may not be optimal in any case. Those topics tend (if done well) to be MSc only anyhow.

I see you've got a geographical spread, but Birkbeck is an evening course specialist. Again, which career goal you have may weigh more in one direction. For example, Bristol is near a lot of aerospace and device design businesses, which would give it an edge there...

All the best,

George

Thanks for the help. I will be applying for a course beginning in 2015 (going travelling for a little before) so I still have time to think. All atm is that I want to be involved in the developing of mobile operating system; I'd really like to be a programmer. As I say, I have time to fine tune my career plans but as things stand now that's what I want to do.

Reply 3

gbuchanan

8

OK,

So you've no reason to rush, of course, if you are shooting for 2015.

If you are looking at mobile programming, especially systems programming, then there are a range of possible courses. Bristol is a good, solid, programming-oriented degree; there isn't much scope for specialisation as most of the content is obligatory. There is more flexibility in the Birmingham course, but not much specifically on mobile or the like. With the right configuration, each will give you a decent grounding in more technical computing in general (which will help in OS/systems programming); the same can be said for Birkbeck's course. If you were mobile in terms of location, Swansea's degree offers more specialisation in mobile, for example, if that was the sort of thing you wanted (I'm sure there are others...but it may provide a taste test for alternatives or confirm you have the right shortlist).

OS programming is a pretty rarified field (and one I nearly followed myself) - do drop me a line if you're really keen on following that route.

Good luck!

George

Reply 4

amandamick

Interested in CS conversion from a chemistry degree I'm completing.

I've looked at the courses (Birmingham / Bristol / Kent.) Do you have any feel for which would be best suited to an eventual career in gaming?
Amanda

Reply 5

meltedcow

OP

Hope it's alright to bump his after so long. I've actually now applied to Bristol and Birmingham and have received an offer for Bristol.

The drawback with Bristol is that the course focuses on C, although they do have a module on Java. Birmingham, however, focuses on Java.

Any help?

Bristol vs Birkbeck vs Birmingham for MSC Computer Science conversion course

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