General Engineering vs Computer Science

I chose engineering and plan to specialise in electronics, there's a lot of crossover. I looked at all the modules and decided engineering was the better fit for me. A big factor was looking at the graduate destinations. About 2 of the roles of the computer science graduates really appealed whereas many more did in engineering. I'd love to do computer science but if I didn't get a job on a product I was really excited in then I'd get frustrated. Best of luck.

Sounds very good. Personally I would say good luck to you. Engineering is fun but at the same time the job market is closing and a lot more are opening for computer science - it's the future. What made me decide was that the degree is far more applied to the current world than engineering degree at Durham. The engineering degree at Durham is very theoretical where you don't really get any practical application needed.

I agree that there are probably more programming jobs opening up but there are still engineering jobs available. Engineering is ranked at 5th in the country while computer science is 6th. It can't be too theoretical, looking at the graduate destinations, Jaguar Land Rover, BAE, Rolls Royce, to name a few. It was these what made me choose engineering, personally I need to really be behind the product and that seemed better for engineering, for me anyway.

Just be aware that CompSci at Durham is no more a "practical" course than Engineering - it's primarily academic.

And note the unemployment rate is higher for CompSci (15%) than Engineering (4%)

CompSci: https://unistats.ac.uk/Subjects/Overview/10007143FT-G406/ReturnTo/Compare-Courses
Engineering: https://unistats.ac.uk/Subjects/Overview/10007143FT-H100/ReturnTo/Compare-Courses

The graduate destinations at rolls Royce and land rover etc are also all available and more to the comp sci students.

I noticed but it's generally because alot of students try their own start ups after graduation putting them as self employed.

Top Grad destinations for CompSci:
https://www.linkedin.com/school/durham-university/alumni/?facetFieldOfStudy=100189
Durham Uni
IBM
Scott Logic
BAE Systems

Top Grad Destinations for Engineering:
https://www.linkedin.com/school/durham-university/alumni/?facetFieldOfStudy=100331
Durham Uni
Rolls Royce
Jaguar LandRover
Atkins



Self-employed isn't counted in "unemployed".

Hmm that's weird. My two closest friends just done comp sci at Durham and now going into rolls Royce and jaguar after their degrees!

I agree that there are probably more programming jobs opening up but there are still engineering jobs available. Engineering is ranked at 5th in the country while computer science is 6th. It can't be too theoretical, looking at the graduate destinations, Jaguar Land Rover, BAE, Rolls Royce, to name a few. It was these what made me choose engineering, personally I need to really be behind the product and that seemed better for engineering, for me anyway.

The whole degree is based on your end of year exams. You learn theory throughout the year, Then towards June it's just hard-core revision for the exams like a levels on steroids. I think it's 85% exam 15% coursework which is the design project you do in like two weeks. The comp sci is more 50/50. With exams throughout the year rather than a big one at the end.

The graduate destinations are grad programmes through the university. These programmes are where you really become an engineer as you learn the hands on skills needed after degree that you don't learn at all in the degree. A lot of people do societies that the department has to supliment people.

Do check out the kis ratings for engineering BEng rather than Meng.

Most Engineers do the MEng.

Even if you only have 50% exams you still need to pass them to pass the module.

And it's about 60% exam for Engineering
https://www.whatuni.com/degrees/general-engineering-meng-hons/durham-university/cd/54978312/5520/

Edit: also are you sure CS exams are "throughout the year"? It looks like they are in May/June, same as most other courses.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Not exactly, many people opt for both beng and meng. In the department they treat both the same as the change between them is so easy. At leeds they just promote the meng now and anyone wanting to do beng just goes onto the beng when they start.

Honestly I question those stats. I live very close to Durham and have the department word, know both the department leaders that it's pretty much 80% exam and 20% coursework. Like my close friend doing the course can tell you for himself if you want me to get him on tsr? But basically he told me how you do all the content throughout the year, a week or two in November to learn all the design stuff to then let it tick over throughout the year. The comp sci does have exams in jan.