Studying computer science at uni!

triggerthat said:
The University league table gives you some indication of how good a University is. Newcastle, Lancaster, Kent are all decent (according to the tables). I'd avoid Greenwich.
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I looked at greenwich a 4 years ago when I was doing the uni applications, it looks nice but ranks horribly, accommodation was expensive, you had to pay for the bus from accommodation to the campus (worked out at a fair bit of cash per term). That was 4/5 years ago now so things may have improved but I doubt it.
 
I'm currently in my second year at Kent Uni for comp sci.

I've heard they have changed the course around a bit and updated it since I joined in 2011, and I've heard good things so far about it, freshers this year seem to be enjoying it.

I would steer clear of any computer science course if you aren't a fan of programming. Obviously that isn't the only thing we do, but it is the only thing that I would consider a challenge in the course. Most modules that aren't to do with programming or maths are quite honestly BS sometimes (but easy marks so you can't complain, and they can be interesting, just don't require you to think in the same way programming does)

I'm sure this will apply to other uni's too, but in the case of Kent, if you end up coming here. Brush up on your Java before arriving so you are confident with it and you will be golden.
 
Thanks all for your help I really appreciate it.

I have now submitted my application with me applying for Comp Science at Lancaster, Greenwich and Kent. Despite what Energizer said which I did take on board.

Of course there are good points and bad points about each but I am happy with my choices right now and I really do appreciate the feedback from you all.

Thanks again for the help and advice I will update you all (if anyone cares :p) if I receive any offers etc.
 
Good luck with it. What's your predicted grades?

I went to visit Kent on an open day years ago (for Computer Science) and I really liked the location and campus. Did you consider Surrey, too? That was my favourite in terms of campus.

I do recommend visiting each University so you can make a well-informed decision.
 
^ What trigger said.
I don't know how the other uni's you've selected compare in terms of campus, but I can really recommend Kent in terms of it's location and campus, it is really one of the pros of going to uni here.
 
Kent is nearby to me hence why it was a no brainer and I have heard lots of really good stories both in terms of education and as you say location etc.

My predicted grades are D* D* D*, unfortunately I have no A level maths so I don't qualify for many universities.

As I say I am happy with my choices and if it turns out that I don't get into them then I will go back to college and get myself a proper maths qualification and apply again. I will still only be 19, of course it would have been good to be able to do it now but it is my fault, I have certainly learned from my mistakes since leaving school.
 
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Diagro said:
He said that and IT Degree is not equal to a Computer Science Degree.

I agree, IT degree's are for people who wish to use word all day.
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IT degree's are different from CS but not massively. I did 2 years at uni doing Comp Sci (most boring and tedious course there is) then I went into IT (final year) where I could make mobile apps and games.

I have a day job doing java / c# etc.. so yeah IT is defo for MS word monkeys.
 
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Biz.Kid09 said:
Triple distinction Diploma. I am doing a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.
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This is going to open a can of worms..

I too did a Diploma (DDD), which apparently is equivalent to AAA at Level. While equivalent, they are not the same. Despite achieving this grade, I really struggled especially in comparison to colleagues who achieved 3 As at A-Level.

A diploma is a vocational course and is very different to the more traditional, academic A-Levels. As a result, you might fall in to problems (like I did) when studying at a redbrick University. I got a huge shock at the jump between the diploma and the degree.
 
Hi again guys,
Perhaps I will start a new thread but I will start it off in here first.

Basically my college is beginning to offer Microsoft certs and Cisco CCNA etc to people on my course as quite a few haven't applied for uni at all and I couldn't help but take a look and get some material.

Now wwould anyone almost recommend doing a course like this and then going into employment or am I best off just focusing on going into uni, I am almost equally interested in both having enjoyed the networkng units in this BTEC and doing my CISCO IT Essentials etc. I know of course you can't say for definite you can do a CCNA and earn X and have a fantastic career but you can do a BSc and earn Y and have a great career but just a few thoughts on taking this option rather than the uni path would be great!

My college is offering the CCNA at £500 a semester so in total £2000. It will be "night school" so of course I can either continue in my current job and then when I am qualified look at moving on to something that will utilize this cert.
 
I would have thought those certs would be nearly worthless if your reason for getting them is to help get your first job in the sector.
 
Are they more suited for someone who is in work and just wants to go further then or change jobs?

I guess you don't have to have certs to get a job you could be lucky and be picked up by a company who will then train you but I just thought that doing one of these certs would help me also?
 
Biz.Kid09 said:
Are they more suited for someone who is in work and just wants to go further then or change jobs?

I guess you don't have to have certs to get a job you could be lucky and be picked up by a company who will then train you but I just thought that doing one of these certs would help me also?
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I would say they supplement a degree and you would be better going to uni and doing these later
 
Going to Cali said:
My advice would be to take a course with a placement, provided you go to a decent institution it'll give you an edge when looking for a graduate position.
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Going to Cali said:
I would say they supplement a degree and you would be better going to uni and doing these later
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Going to Cali has offered some great advice.

I studied the BTEC and did the CCNA during college. Unless you want to secure a career in networking, then I really wouldn't bother.

Focusing your efforts on securing a place at a decent University (while also landing a good placement) will stand you in a better position. Even better, using your time (rather than doing the CCNA) studying the syllabus of your chosen degree will really help. When I accepted my uni offer, they recommended before starting that I study during the summer focusing on Java/discrete maths.

Kent is well respected and has a great placement team with strong connections to employers.
 
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triggerthat said:
This is going to open a can of worms..

I too did a Diploma (DDD), which apparently is equivalent to AAA at Level. While equivalent, they are not the same.
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This is spot on. Having seen the teaching on both, I agree the Diploma is significantly 'easier' in most areas (probably all). A Level Computing students would be much better placed for a CompSci degree.

I doubt that universities really treat DDD as equal to AAA, I know I wouldn't!
 
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Wink said:
This is spot on. Having seen the teaching on both, I agree the Diploma is significantly 'easier' in most areas (probably all). A Level Computing students would be much better placed for a CompSci degree.

I doubt that universities really treat DDD as equal to AAA, I know I wouldn't!
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I found out this out the hard way. I went to a very decent University, only to perform terribly, despite working hard. I really didn't enjoy the whole experience.

I changed to a University that was more in my league and I really enjoyed it.
 
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I would NOT do computing course in GREENWICH uni. They are still apparently teaching now what they taught me around 7 years ago.

I went there and personally didnt like it. you do four modules each year, and for actual programming part they dont teach you the advanced stuff just basic. Having said that there is a course in final year (or there was!) but it was quite a jump from what they had taught us in year 2 and year 3. Teacher would skip over stuff or go too fast and we were left clueless, needless to say I dropped out of that course.

If things have changed recently I don't know..
 
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