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Computer Scientist

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Being a Computer Scientist is all about understanding how computers work and how to make them do amazing things! It involves creating new software, designing clever computer systems, and even exploring ideas for the future of technology. You might spend your time writing computer code to build apps, developing new ways for computers to learn, or finding solutions to really tricky problems using technology. It's a bit like being a detective and an inventor rolled into one, but for the digital world. You learn the science behind computing, which means you could work on anything from video games to artificial intelligence or even cybersecurity. This career path is brilliant if you love logic puzzles, enjoy tinkering with technology, and are curious about how digital things are made. Computer Scientists dont just fix computers; they design the very foundations upon which all modern technology is built. You could be working in a big tech company, a small startup, a university, or even for the government, helping to shape the digital future of the United Kingdom and beyond. It requires a lot of thinking, problem-solving, and often working in teams to bring innovative ideas to life.

Computer Scientist

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📊 Statistics

Average Starting Salary

For graduates in the UK, a starting salary for a Computer Scientist can range from about 25,000 to 35,000 pounds per year.

Experienced Professional Salary

With a few years of experience, a Computer Scientist in the UK could earn between 40,000 and 70,000 pounds annually, and even more for highly specialised roles.

Job Growth in Tech

The technology sector in the UK is growing, with thousands of new jobs being created each year, meaning there are lots of opportunities for Computer Scientists.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Software Developer

Imagine you're designing a new computer game or an app for your phone. A Software Developer is like the architect and builder who writes the code to make those ideas real and work properly. They could be creating anything from games to websites to special programmes for scientists.

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Cyber Security Analyst

Think of yourself as a digital detective and a guardian. A Cyber Security Analyst's job is to protect computers, networks, and information from bad people who try to hack in or steal data. They look for weaknesses, put up digital fences, and investigate if a system has been attacked.

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Games Developer

If you love playing video games, imagine being the person who helps bring them to life! A Games Developer uses their computer science skills to design, programme, and test all sorts of games for consoles, PCs, and mobile phones. They work with artists, writers, and sound engineers to create immersive worlds.

Build Your Foundations

Excel in Maths and Science

Computer Science involves a lot of logical thinking and problem-solving, which you learn in subjects like Maths, Physics, and Computer Science.

Focus on understanding algebra, geometry, and basic statistics in Maths, as these are crucial for understanding algorithms and data. In Science, subjects like Physics can help develop your analytical skills. Computer Science itself will introduce you to programming concepts early on, which is fantastic for getting a head start.

Learn Basic Coding

Start exploring simple coding languages to understand how to give instructions to a computer. It's like learning a new language for computers!

Websites like Scratch, Codecademy, or Hour of Code are great places to begin. You can try visual programming first with Scratch, then move onto text-based languages like Python. Python is very beginner-friendly and widely used in the tech industry, so it's a brilliant language to get familiar with.

Explore Online Resources

There's a whole world of free information online to help you learn about computer science.

Look for online tutorials, YouTube channels (like Computerphile), and educational platforms (like Coursera or edX for free courses). These resources can introduce you to fascinating topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and game development, helping you discover what areas of computing you enjoy most.

Further Your Education

Choose Relevant GCSEs and A-Levels

Pick subjects that will help you build a strong foundation for a Computer Science degree at university.

For GCSEs, make sure to take Computer Science and aim for good grades in Maths. For A-Levels, Maths and Further Maths are highly recommended, along with Computer Science and possibly Physics. These subjects will give you the analytical and problem-solving skills needed for university-level computer science.

Apply for a University Degree

Many Computer Scientists complete a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field.

Look for universities in the UK that offer strong Computer Science programmes. Research their course modules to see if they match your interests, whether that's software engineering, AI, cybersecurity, or data science. Pay attention to entry requirements for your A-Levels or equivalent qualifications.

Consider a Master's or PhD

For more specialised or research-focused roles, further postgraduate study can be very beneficial.

A Master's degree (MSc) allows you to specialise in a particular area of Computer Science, like AI or cybersecurity. A PhD is for those who want to conduct original research and contribute new knowledge to the field, often leading to roles in academia or advanced R&D departments.

Gain Experience and Specialise

Undertake Internships or Work Experience

Practical experience is key! Internships allow you to work in real companies and see how computer science is applied.

While at university, actively look for summer internships or year-long placements with technology companies. These experiences not only look great on your CV but also help you discover different career paths within computer science, from software development to data analysis, and build your professional network.

Build a Portfolio of Projects

Showcase what you can do by creating your own coding projects. This proves your skills to potential employers.

Start small! This could be a simple game, a useful app, a website, or even contributing to an open-source project. Websites like GitHub are perfect for hosting your code and showing off your creations. Employers love to see initiative and practical application of your skills.

Network and Stay Current

Meet other people in the tech world and keep learning about the latest technologies and trends.

Attend tech meetups, conferences (even virtual ones), and join online communities. Follow leading computer scientists and tech companies on social media. The world of technology changes incredibly fast, so continuous learning and staying connected with peers are vital for a successful career.

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🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Computer Scientist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

While 'Computer Scientist' is a broad term, amongst the given options, a Data Scientist is the closest match as it heavily relies on computational skills, algorithms, and data analysis which are core competencies for many computer science graduates, especially those focusing on practical applications of computing to large datasets.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • a Civil Service training programme

University

You can begin your career in data science by studying for a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, such as:

  • maths
  • statistics
  • data science
  • computer science
  • operational research

Subjects that include a lot of statistics, like physics, engineering or psychology may also be useful.

Graduates of other subjects can do a postgraduate master's conversion course to get into AI and data science.

Funding is also available to encourage people from under-represented groups to come into the profession.

Doing an internship or industry work placement as part of your course can give you an advantage when looking for jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship, for example:

  • Data Engineer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Data Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Specialist Level 7 Professional Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Direct Application

You could apply directly to companies and organisations if you have the right skills and experience from working with data. You may be able to find roles with:

  • the NHS
  • financial and professional services firms
  • IT companies
  • retail and sales organisations
  • government departments

Other Routes

You could register for a place on the Civil Service Fast Stream scheme to work in data. You'll need a degree, postgraduate award or have completed a degree apprenticeship to apply.

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Career tips

Look out for intensive training courses in computing and data science.

It could also be useful to build up your knowledge of coding, analysis and data manipulation software, like:

  • R
  • SQL
  • Python
  • Power BI
  • Excel

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Analytics (IoA) or The Royal Statistical Society for training and development opportunities, and to make contacts in the industry.

Further information

You can find out more about a career as a data scientist from The Royal Statistical Society and The Chartered Institute for IT.

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