Computing is now part of everything we do, it allows us to solve complex, challenging problems. Computing can allow you to make a positive difference to the world, allows access to many types of lucrative career. It offers great opportunities for   creativity and innovation and has space for both collaborative work and individual effort.

What is the structure of the course?

The course is broken down into three areas:

Paper 1, Computer Systems (40% )where you will learn all about how computer hardware works, the different types of     software and how they are developed, the different programming paradigms, how networks, databases and the web works, the maths of computer science, and the laws and ethics around using computers.

Paper 2, Algorithms and Programming (40%) where you will learn all about how we can use computers to solve problems, programming techniques, computational methods, and common algorithms for tasks such as sorting, searching and      pathfinding.

Programming Project (20%) A practical programming project that you choose where you create your own application using a high-level programming language such as C#. You will learn how to analyse, design, code, test and evaluate your application.

As the course progresses you will learn C#, a high-level programming language used in a wide range of applications, including finance, business and games development.

What skill/requirements are essential?

Students will need and develop a range of transferrable skills including problem solving, independent learning and

time-management, and the knowledge of how technology works. Students are not required to have done GCSE Computer Science, though it certainly helps, but should have a proven ability at maths and a sound grasp of logic.

What do students think?

“Computer Science is a fun, exciting and interesting subject that is really necessary if you are going to study maths, science or engineering.”

Where can this course lead?

Many students that study computer science go on to do a degree in the subject or a related subject. It has also proven to be especially useful for those students studying maths or physics in higher education. A number of our students have gone straight into roles in an IT or computer science related field. Given the all-pervasive nature of computer technology in today’s society there are many different job roles open to computer scientists, in fields like software development, database admin-istration, software and hardware engineering, systems analysis, web development and cyber-security. Computer science is needed in almost all sectors, especially tech, finance, logistics and used extensively in creative industries such as TV, film and games.