The Student Room Group

Should I take a Computer Science Degree?

I have heard that jobs which require a Computer Science degree just lead to a job where you can easily get in with another degree (e.g. Physics). Also, I have heard that Computing jobs are all being outsourced by people in Developing Countries.
Would it be more advisable, therefore for me to take a Maths with Computer Science or just a Maths Degree (or maybe Physics), as this would be a more broad Degree in which I could specialize into Computer Science later.
Reply 1
Computer science is a safe career choice - there is a severe lack of decent computing skills in the work force at the minute.

Computer Science, Maths and Physics are all very logical and have a lot of overlap. My advice is always to avoid specialising as much as possible unless completely necessary. Do the degree that you wouldn't mind spending the next 3/4 years doing, every day, all year.

Look at universities that incorporate different parts of each into their degree. On some courses there are a lot of applied mathematical modules which are almost verging on theoretical physics, similarly with computer science modules.

Honestly I would say do Maths but that's only because it is sort of an umbrella over them all and a good mathematician will almost definitely make a good computer scientist and physicist but I don't think it occurs as often the other way round. (In addition to me being slightly biased)
Reply 2
While it's true that some programming jobs are being outsourced to developing countries, CS jobs are not. There is a subtle difference, as a CS degree is a lot more than programming. Currently there are around three jobs to every graduate CS student, as technologists and engineers are in high demand.

Maths =/= Physics =/= CS and the job prospects are all slightly different, so don't assume maths is the overarching pure subject which provides you with all the skills needed for the other two.
You'll do well in this country with a good comp sci degree from a AAB-A*A*A uni. Work is outsourced but big companies are still hiring domestic comp sci grads and pay well. Make sure you actually enjoy studying the content in a cs degree though as a lot of people go into it unprepared and consequently drop out/get a poor grade.

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