There’s a huge shortage of computer programmers in this country. This degree will teach you everything you need for a career in this constantly developing field. Computer Science is the study of principles, applications, and technologies of computing and computers. It involves the study of data, data structures and the algorithms to process them. Computer Science provides skills and knowledge which are essential in a wide range of computing and computer-related professions. It has a huge impact on modern society as it is the cornerstone of all of the digital technologies that we use in our daily lives. During this degree, you will study the techniques that underpin such areas as complex computing systems, big data analytics, computer graphics, computer security, web technology, mobile computing and artificial intelligence. You will also develop your technical skills of programming, software design, computer systems and operations. In addition, you will acquire a wide range of transferable skills that are sought after by many employers. You’ll be taught by lecturers with expertise across a broad range of areas, with extensive experience in both academic and industrial applications, showing you how to develop and apply your skills. There is a strong career management theme running throughout the degree, with a series of skills development opportunities for you to engage with. A wide range of software packages are used to support the computing curriculum, including tools for software/apps development, systems modelling, Computer Assisted Design and 3D printing, mathematical manipulation and more. There is free access to commercial software and servers, and many facilities are available to students in the evenings and at weekends. Our degree programmes are also accredited by the British Computer Society. Placement Our dedicated placement team will help you to secure year-long paid employment during your degree. We have built up relationships major companies over many years, many of which have their UK or European headquarters in the local area. Our students have recently completed placements in the UK and overseas at companies including Goldman Sachs, GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, Ernst & Young, BBC, Pepsico, BT, KPMG, IBM, HSBC, Deloitte, O2, Intel, Microsoft, M&S, Oracle, John Lewis, Accenture and 3M. We hold a school careers and placements fair every year. Every student also completes an assessment week in which you will go through the selection methods that companies use. You will also receive CV help in one-to-one sessions.

Reading is at the heart of the Thames Valley, the capital of the UK’s high-tech industry. We have companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Fujitsu, Cisco, IBM and many more within a short distance of the University, all of which are eager to recruit our graduates. Many of these companies visit the University in order to recruit our best graduates directly. Companies such as IBM and Ernst & Young even provide a mock assessment centre, in which they put you through the paces of their recruitment process and give you valuable feedback before you actually apply for their jobs. Our graduates go on to careers in networking, programming, consultancy, computer security, database management, game development, systems engineering, electronic engineering, robotics and instrumentation. This degree gives you the skills you need for a highly rewarding professional career in computing or engineering. Recent graduates from our courses have gone on to work at companies including Bank of America Merrill Lynch (Analyst), JP Morgan (Application Developer), Microsoft (Associate Consultant), Sage (Junior Developer) and virtualmeeting.com (Senior Software Developer).