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Which should I learn next? Python or Javascript?

I have already learnt basic html using freecodecamp so what should I learn next, python or javascript, and which would be more beneficial when applying to universities for engineering (specifically software/information engineering)?

Reply 1

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post

by akashDTV

Hey,

It's great that you've got HTML down! For your next steps, both Python and JavaScript are excellent options, and each brings unique benefits depending on the focus of your engineering interests.

If you're leaning toward software or information engineering, Python is highly recommended. It's widely used in academic settings and is known for being beginner-friendly while still powerful for complex tasks. Python is especially useful for data science, machine learning, and general-purpose programming, which aligns well with engineering courses and applications. Many universities and engineering courses favour Python as it’s highly versatile and commonly used in industry, so this would be a solid choice.

However, JavaScript is also valuable, especially if you’re interested in web development or full-stack engineering, as it’s the go-to language for interactive web elements and client-side functionality. Since you already know HTML, learning JavaScript alongside CSS can give you a fuller picture of front-end development and make you proficient at building complete web applications—a very marketable skill. Plus, universities appreciate applicants with a good foundation in both front-end and back-end concepts.

For applying to software or information engineering courses, having Python under your belt will be particularly helpful, but adding JavaScript later on will broaden your skill set even further. Both are practical languages for any aspiring engineer, so you’re already on the right track by exploring them!

Best of luck!
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 2

hotpud

Original post

by akashDTV

Why not flip the question. Rather than ask which to learn, why not set yourself a project and choose the language most appropriate to solving that project. Javascript is very much a web page front end language although with Node.JS that doesn't necessarily have to be the case. Python is brilliant for crunching massive datasets but pretty clunky when it comes to anything UI.

If you take this approach, that will come across much better in an interview situation because in reality, we choose languages for a multitude of reasons and having an incite into that process puts you at a significant advantage to someone who has just learned a language for the sake of it. Ultimately, all languages are the same. It is just their syntax that differs slightly.

Reply 3

Exploring101

Original post

by akashDTV

To apply for university and strengthen your application, learning Python first will give you a strong ground in logic, problem solving, and algorithms which are all central to engineering. You can then easily walk into JavaScript later for front-end or full-stack projects. For more learning guidance, you can go to Coursera.

Reply 4

LSBU

Official Rep

Original post

by akashDTV

Hi Akash,
It’s brilliant that you’ve already learned the basics of HTML through FreeCodeCamp, that’s a great first step and gives you a solid understanding of how websites and digital systems are built. The next step is to start learning a programming language, and both Python and JavaScript are excellent choices that will really strengthen your application for university.

At London South Bank University (LSBU), we offer a range of computing and engineering degrees including BSc (Hons) Computer Science, Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Computer Science (Cyber Security), Computer Science (Data Engineering), and BEng (Hons) Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering. Each of these courses focuses on developing strong technical and problem-solving skills through hands-on coding, system design, and project work.

You’ll eventually need to learn both Python and JavaScript, as they’re both widely used in different areas of computing and software engineering. If you’re deciding which one to learn first, I’d recommend starting with Python.

It’s one of the most beginner-friendly languages, used heavily in artificial intelligence, data analysis, and system automation. Learning Python will help you build a solid understanding of programming logic, algorithms, and data structures, all key skills for Computer Science and Engineering degrees at LSBU.

Once you feel confident with Python, move on to JavaScript. JavaScript is essential for web development, front-end programming, and interactive applications, and it pairs perfectly with the HTML knowledge you already have. It’s also becoming more common in back-end development through frameworks like Node.js, so learning it will make you a versatile programmer.

Universities like LSBU really value applicants who show initiative by learning programming independently, it demonstrates curiosity, motivation, and problem-solving ability, which are key qualities for success in engineering and computing.

If you’d like to explore LSBU’s computing and engineering courses further, you can attend our Open Day on Saturday 15th November, where you’ll have the chance to visit our computing labs, meet lecturers, and talk to students studying areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, and Data Engineering.

👉 You can sign up here: LSBU Open Day.
👉 You can also chat with our students through our Unibuddy platform: Chat with our students.

Starting early with Python, and then building up to JavaScript, will give you a fantastic head start for your studies at university especially if you’re aiming for a career in technology, engineering, or software development.