The currency of computer science is information – how to store it, transmit it and process it electronically. It is considered by many of its practitioners to be a foundational science, one which makes other knowledge and achievements possible. And the things that have been made possible by computer science experts permeate every aspect of our modern lives. Look at mobile phones, satellite navigation, the internet; it’s easy to forget just how sophisticated these now everyday objects are. Consider computer science, then, if you think an exciting career at the forefront of technology is the thing for you. But, this potential glamour means that the subject can be quite popular, which in combination with its basic complexity means that you’ll have to prove your mettle, particularly if you have your sights on one of the more prestigious courses out there. Be ready to demonstrate both basic proficiency as well as demonstrable passion. If you manage to make the cut, you will begin by acquiring a basic grounding in algorithms, programming, and organizing data, with a smattering of essential mathematics.

One of the most appealing things about a degree in computer science is, in our increasingly technological era, that employers will virtually be fighting over you. In the UK, for instance, 1 in 20 workers are employed in IT and telecoms – a field for which computer science graduates are particularly well suited – and there is still further demand, with computer science graduates enjoying one of the lowest unemployment levels in the country. In Australia there are more vacancies for ICT professionals than for business, finance and human resources professionals put together. Programmers are also always in demand, from established and new companies alike. And as more and more aspects of our modern lives become computerized it seems unlikely that opportunities will be drying up too soon. The Association for Computing Machinery identifies a raft of potential career paths. For example, there is designing and implementing software, a path has changed a lot in recent years, with web development mobile computing coming to the fore. You might also work in an academic or industrial research capacity, coming up with new ways in which we might use computers. Or you could work in planning and managing organizational technology infrastructure. This final career is best suited to candidates who specialize in information technology, as modern courses in this field tend to focus on this area. There’s plenty of scope for using your knowledge in an entrepreneurial capacity, and there are plenty of non-computer science jobs graduates might take up. Teaching, management and general IT roles are some examples. More on computer science careers >