[Official] Computer Science applicants thread 2024 entry

Mature student here (37).

Currently on an Access course, on track for Distinction grades.

Got offers from Sunderland and Northumbria for Computer Science and another from Sunderland for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics.

From the research I've done the consensus is near ubiquitous to go the CompSci route and do Cybersecurity after. Anyone have an opinion or advice on this?

Can't wait to start studying.

Firstly, congratulations on your offers!

Now, as a current A level student who is also looking to pursue cybersecurity, I believe that I can provide some guidance here (this isn't intended to sound condescending though the more I say this sentence in my head, the worse it sounds ☹️).

When I decided to apply for Computer Science in year 12 (2022 - 2023. Up till that point, I was unsure what I was going to do), I spoke to my Computer Science teacher whether it would be beneficial to apply for cybersecurity specifically or Computer Science. He told me that both have merit and neither will impact job prospects. The main factors that affect job prospects are your own employable skills and the university you studied at (i.e. how good is its reputation).

The only thing that he said was you can go for Computer Science and then specialise in cybersecurity and still get there and if you decide in the future that you don't like cybersecurity, you can switch to a different speciality. However, if you go with the cybersecurity degree program specifically, you limit yourself to the cybersecurity field and it is far harder to get a job in other fields, not to mention that when you apply for MSc or MTech programs, you will be limiting the focus of your degree to a further niche specialism in the cybersecurity field, which is considered to be a bit disadvantageous.

However, he said that if your heart is completely set on cybersecurity, you should go for cybersecurity. You will cover three years straight of cybersecurity and this will mean that you will have an enjoyable three years and look to get a job in cybersecurity and no other fields.

In the end, I have chosen to apply for Computer Science at all of my 5 universities. I applied to Cambridge, Imperial, Edinburgh, Manchester and Durham. I have received offers from Imperial, Edinburgh and Manchester, I got rejected pre-interview from Cambridge and waiting on Durham.

I hope this helped

Thanks you.

Yeah what you've said about Cybersecurity being limiting is pretty much what I've heard from everywhere else. I think I'll go with CompSci, I do want to pursue Cybersecurity but I'd like to have a range of other skill sets at my disposal.

Yeah, in this industry, in the current market, I would definitely say that you would benefit from having loads of skills at your disposal so that you are in the best possible position when it comes to applying for jobs. I wish you good luck for your remaining decisions. Where else have you applied?

Also, how do things work with mature applicants? Do you still apply with A level and GCSE grades or is there other stuff you enter instead?

I've applied to a local college who host a degree for the University of Cumbria i believe and threw in Newcastle to have 5 choices. I'm not expecting anything from Newcastle because of the route I'm taking but did also get an offer from the college. I'll be choosing Sunderland or Northumbria as I have kids so traveling far or relocating isn't an option.

I'm currently on an Access to Higher Education course at the moment, basically equivalent to a foundation year for a degree. The course has 5 graded units worth specific UCAS points upon completion.

As far as I know any academic grades for entry have to be within a recent time frame so my GCSE's wouldn't be accepted as they were over 20 years ago. 🤣

Are you an international Applicant? I'm still 'waiting to hear from Edinburgh, Bath, Bristol & Southampton.

I have an offer from Edinburgh which I got in October and I know friends that have offers from Bristol and Southampton.

My friends and I are all home applicants...

Firstly, congratulations on your offers!

Now, as a current A level student who is also looking to pursue cybersecurity, I believe that I can provide some guidance here (this isn't intended to sound condescending though the more I say this sentence in my head, the worse it sounds ☹️).

When I decided to apply for Computer Science in year 12 (2022 - 2023. Up till that point, I was unsure what I was going to do), I spoke to my Computer Science teacher whether it would be beneficial to apply for cybersecurity specifically or Computer Science. He told me that both have merit and neither will impact job prospects. The main factors that affect job prospects are your own employable skills and the university you studied at (i.e. how good is its reputation).

The only thing that he said was you can go for Computer Science and then specialise in cybersecurity and still get there and if you decide in the future that you don't like cybersecurity, you can switch to a different speciality. However, if you go with the cybersecurity degree program specifically, you limit yourself to the cybersecurity field and it is far harder to get a job in other fields, not to mention that when you apply for MSc or MTech programs, you will be limiting the focus of your degree to a further niche specialism in the cybersecurity field, which is considered to be a bit disadvantageous.

However, he said that if your heart is completely set on cybersecurity, you should go for cybersecurity. You will cover three years straight of cybersecurity and this will mean that you will have an enjoyable three years and look to get a job in cybersecurity and no other fields.

In the end, I have chosen to apply for Computer Science at all of my 5 universities. I applied to Cambridge, Imperial, Edinburgh, Manchester and Durham. I have received offers from Imperial, Edinburgh and Manchester, I got rejected pre-interview from Cambridge and waiting on Durham.

I hope this helped

Curious to know if anyone else is planning to go to Edinburgh?
I have received an offer which I'm 99% sure I can achieve. I am going to uni after s5 rather than s6, which is because my school doesn't offer many advance highers. It would be good to know some people doing the same course

Are you sure that Bristol have released offer in CS for home students with non-contextual? Although yes, we have offer from Southampton and Bristol said on waiting list

Are you sure that Bristol have released offer in CS for home students with non-contextual? Although yes, we have offer from Southampton and Bristol said on waiting list

yep i have a bristol cs offer non contextual, no foundation year and home student. got it in like november.

Thanks you.

Yeah what you've said about Cybersecurity being limiting is pretty much what I've heard from everywhere else. I think I'll go with CompSci, I do want to pursue Cybersecurity but I'd like to have a range of other skill sets at my disposal.

Got an offer from Bath MComp

Was that recently?