Is there such a thing as a Computing degree?

Is there such a thing as a computing degree?

I'm taking the ICT GCSE

What would be the hardest part of the computing course?

You've asked a few questions there, I'll do my best at picking them all out :P


Not anything that actually has the name "computing". Computer Science is the closest degree you'll find to it, however, if you're looking for a degree based around computing that's more practical-intensive, some universities offer a Software Engineering degree. It's not as highly regarded as CS, but if you struggle with theory, it's worth looking into.


ICT and Computing seem similar, but really they have nothing at all in common apart from the fact they're taught in computer rooms.


Really this depends on your exam board, because they all have slightly different syllabuses. If theory is what you find difficult, the hardest parts of the first year might be manipulation of binary numbers (depends how your maths is) or networking. There's loads of theory on hardware, which is just memorizing easy stuff like how a digital camera works.

I love my computing course, you do a lot of practical in the first year that isn't examined, basically teaching the class to code, but in the second year you do a massive project that's 40% of your grade. It's a lot of fun if you're into that kind of thing, just please don't think it'll be like your ICT course is

There is CS, and the software engineering, which is not that highly regarded.
Tbf, there isn't much point doing programming I'd say, if they don't want any theory...


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Thank you so much for your reply. I enjoy maths and I am average in my class (want to take it for A level). Apparently there is less theory in Computing than most A levels. I want to do the AQA computing. Is there lots of programming involved and how many projects and exams do you have at the end of the year? Is there also a textbook that you can recommend that explains everything very clearly?

Not anything that actually has the name "computing".

One of the best CS departments in the country (Imperial) call it Computing, actually, as do quite a few other universities. Generally, there is no difference between Computer Science and Computing (or the BEng vs the BSci) but I'd advise OP to read the course summaries on websites of universities they're interested in, to check it's not a more vocational course.

Computing at A-Level is very similar to the first semester of a Computer Science degree anyway, the name is just that - a name.

Why are people saying Software Engineering is less regarded than CS?

AQA is my board too, you should be given a textbook by your college when you start (or at least when you start needing it). Saying it has less theory than "most A levels" is a bit vague, because something like Maths (and a lot of others) doesn't split up into theory/practical. The first year is mostly (70% ish) theory and the second year is 60%. You have to do two exams at the end of the first year, one is all theory and the other is half-and-half theory and practical, no project. The second year has one big project and two theory exams. You'll do a lot of programming in both years.

Computing at A-Level is very similar to the first semester of a Computer Science degree anyway, the name is just that - a name.

What kind of project would it be... is the theory also very difficult (especially in the second year as I think maths will take up a some time)? How many programming languages do you learn?

I suppose it's because the most "difficult" part of a CS degree is the maths, which is much less intensive in an SE degree. Also, I've been looking (out of curiosity) at graduate-level jobs - most say they accept CS graduates, some say they accept CS and SE graduates, but I've never seen one that says it will only accept SE graduates.

Do you need to have do Further Maths to understand the maths in uni?

Not at all! It will definitely help, but is by no means essential. For some Computer Science degrees, you don't even need to have A-Level maths, you just take a maths catch-up alongside your degree modules to get you up to speed.

The project can be on any topic, it's completely up to you.
The first year theory is quite easy (I got 92% on the theory exam) but I haven't done enough of the second year to comment on that yet.
I've learned two languages so far, that's probably all I'm going to learn in the A level. It's not really about learning languages, the idea is if you get the fundamentals then new languages are very easy to pick up.

The project can be on any topic, it's completely up to you.
The first year theory is quite easy (I got 92% on the theory exam) but I haven't done enough of the second year to comment on that yet.
I've learned two languages so far, that's probably all I'm going to learn in the A level. It's not really about learning languages, the idea is if you get the fundamentals then new languages are very easy to pick up.

Is the theory at A level similar to the ICT GCSE theory about networks, operating systems, software etc. Also does it require lots of maths and what so they focus on most of the time...