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Computer science or Computer science and maths dual honours

username7191808

Hi, I received my grades this year with A*AA (Maths physics and stats). I initially wanted to do computer science but am unsure as to whether it is a good idea to enter the course as I have little experience and the field of IT seems quite chaotic. As I still want to go for the degree I am thinking about taking a dual honours in maths as it is my strong suit. Is there any benefit to doing the dual honours or should I go for only computer science and maximise my studies there?

Reply 1

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Congrats on those amazing grades! It’s completely understandable that you're feeling uncertain about jumping into Computer Science, especially if you have little experience in the field. But don’t worry, a lot of students start with minimal coding or IT knowledge and catch up pretty quickly once they’re in the course. Computer Science courses often start with the basics, so you'll have time to build your skills from the ground up.

As for doing a dual honours with Maths, that could be a really great option, especially since it's your strong suit. Maths and Computer Science complement each other well, and having both on your degree could give you more flexibility in the future—whether you want to go into tech or explore more mathematical areas like data science, machine learning, or even finance. Plus, if you're not entirely sure about committing to just Computer Science, having that balance might ease some of the pressure.

At the same time, if you're really leaning towards Computer Science and want to dive deep into it, a single honours degree would allow you to fully focus on that field and get a more specialised education. It really depends on where you see yourself going career-wise and how much you want to keep your options open. Maybe check with your uni to see if they offer any support or taster sessions to help you decide? Either way, you’ve got a solid foundation with your A-levels, and both paths will give you great opportunities!

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative