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Computer Science

Computer Science graduates have a range of employment options open to them with the majority interested in a career in the information technology sector.

In 2010/11, six months after graduating:

66.4% of graduates with a first degree were in employment

11.5% were in full-time further study

8.4% were combining work and study

Students graduate with software design skills as well as an understanding of how modern mathematics that can be applied to all aspects of software design, development and verification. As a result Computer Science graduates are recruited into all areas of software design. Graduates who have studied modules in artificial intelligence or advanced computer and communications systems also have a range of additional hardware options open to them.

In 2010/11 Computer Science graduates were employed in the following positions:

• Application Developer
• IT Analyst
• IT Engineer
• Mobile Device Support Technician
• Programmer
• Software Developer
• Software Installation Engineer
• Web Designer
• Web Developer

In 2010/11 Computer Science graduates entered further study courses such as:

• MA 3D Multimedia and Design Technology
• MA Screen Media
• MSc Information Systems
• Microsoft Certified IT Professional

The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment.

Placement leavers from Computing Science experienced the following outcomes:

• 93.1% progressed into employment or further study
• 96.3% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study)
• 87.0% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment
• The average starting salary was £25,143.  

The graduate labour market remains competitive and relevant experience is increasingly required for graduate level jobs. For those without related experience job search strategy is often about getting a ‘foot in the door’ in order to compete for graduate positions later.

A growing national trend is for many students to delay their job applications until completing their studies, preferring to focus on achieving the highest grade possible. This can result in some graduates initially continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. As a result some graduates were working in non-graduate level positions including administration and customer service and sales occupations.

The DLHE survey provides a snapshot of a very short amount of time (six months) after graduating and while many have progressed into relevant graduate jobs others are taking time out, travelling, waiting to start a course or continuing with their part-time job while they explore their options after graduating. Many graduates have moved on in their careers since completing the questionnaire.