What can I do with a degree in Computing?

Find out where the range of skills you develop studying computing can take you. Here we list potential careers and tell you how you can find a job in this sector.

Computing careers

The occupations listed below are a selection of those which may interest students and graduates from the School of Computing.

Software Developer

A programmer usually working on large complex pieces of software who uses software "tools" and a systematic approach to produce software which is well documented and modular in structure so that it can be easily updated.

Job profile of a Systems Developer on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Software Developer on the Total Jobs website

Applications Programmer

This role involves writing programs to perform applications.  Taking a program specification and writing the program using a computer programming language.  Testing and 'debugging' the program (removes errors). Writing documentation. Updating existing software.

Job profile of an Applications Developer on the Prospect website

Systems Programmer

This role works to provide the computer operating systems and standard software services essential to the operation of any computer. Systems programmers are concerned with the interface between the computer and the software used by it, whereas applications programmers with the interface between the software and the user.

Job profile of a Systems Developer on the Prospects website

Multimedia Programmer

A multimedia programmer creates websites and/or computer programmes using various methods including text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modelling, animation and video.

Job profile of a Multimedia Programmer on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Multimedia Programmer on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a Multimedia Programmer on the All About Careers website

Systems Analyst

Investigates business, commercial, industrial and technical data processing problems; analyses information and designs and introduces systems to meet requirements or modifies existing systems for changing needs.

Job profile of a Systems Analyst on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Systems Analyst on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a Systems Analyst on the National Careers Service website

Computer Sales Support

Works for computer manufacturers in conjunction with sales representatives, giving technical advice and guidance to customers on all aspects of preparing for and using computer systems.

Job profile for Computer Sales Support on the Target Jobs website
Job profile for an IT Sales Professional on the Prospects website
Job profile for IT Support on the Total Jobs website

Database Administrator

Responsible for the design, maintenance, development and updating of computer databases. Solving the problems of users. Ensuring the information in the database is regularly updated. Helping with the development of new databases as required. Dealing with security and back up issues.

Job profile of a Database Administrator on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Database Administrator on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a Database Administrator on the National Careers Service website

IT Technical Support Officer

In this role you will monitor and maintain computer systems and networks of an organisation. You may be involved with installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems, either over the phone or in person.

Job profile of an IT Technical Support Officer on the Prospects website
Job profile of an IT Support Technician on the National Careers Service website
Job profile of an IT Technical Support Officer on the All About Careers website

Computer Security Consultant

Computer security is a fast developing area within Forensic Services. The work involves close contact with lawyers, commercial organisations and investigation agencies. Issues may involve fraud, child pornography, terrorism and ID theft.

Job profile of an Information Security Specialist on the Prospects website
Job profile of an IT Security Coordinator on the National Careers Service website
I want to work in: Forensic Computing

Games Developer

In this role you will be involved in the creation and production of games for use on various platforms including PCs, mobile phones, consoles and so on.  Your work will focus on ether design or programming.

Job profile of a Games Developer on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Games Developer on the All About Careers website
Job profile of a Computer Games Developer on the National Careers Service website
I want to work in: Computer Games

IT Consultant

In this role you will work with clients to advise on the use of information technology to help them meeting the needs of their business

Job profile of an IT Consultant on the Prospects website
Job profile of an IT Consultant on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of an IT Consultant on the All About Careers website

Web Designer

In this role you will plan, create and code websites involving technical and design skills to meet the needs of a client.

Job profile of a Web Designer on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Web Designer on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a Web Designer on the National Careers Service website

Please note that some of these careers may require further study.

For further information on these careers, see also:

People in some Computing roles may be self-employed

Thank you to Prospects for the content on these pages.

Other careers

A  Computing degree may be useful in the following career areas:

IT Sales

You could be involved in pre-sales, sales or post-sale support.  Pre-sales requires technical knowledge.  Sales involved negotiating agreements between clients and companies.  Post-sale involves technical skills to help resolve issues.

Job profile of an IT Sales Professional on the All About Careers website
Job profile of an IT Sales Professional on the Total Jobs website

Technical Author

In this role you will communicate technical information about products and services.  This may be in user guides, manuals or online help.

Job profile of a Technical Author on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Technical Author on the Target Jobs website
Job profile of a Technical Author on the National Careers Service website

IT Trainer

In this role you will design and deliver training programmes in information and communications technology

Job profile of an IT Trainer on the Prospects website
Job profile of an IT Trainer on the All About Careers website
Job profile of an IT Trainer on the National Careers Service website

Patent Work

Patent Attorneys act as agents for obtaining patents world-wide. These are akin to solicitors specialising in patent work, they write the application for the inventors and negotiate with Patent Offices. Patent examiners examine applications for patents for alleged inventions and make sure they are within the requirements of the Patents Act and don't infringe the rights of other inventors.

Network Engineer

In this role you will install, maintain and develop computer networks. Resolving network faults, setting up accounts for users, monitoring network traffic and dealing with security issues.

Job profile of a Network Engineer on the Prospects website
Job profile of a Network Support Engineer on the Total Jobs website
Job profile of a Network Engineer on the National Careers Service website

Secondary School Teacher

To teach in state schools (excluding academies and free schools) in England and Wales, you must complete a period of “initial teacher training”, such as a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course or school-centred training, which leads to Qualified Teacher Status. Computing is a popular subject so it is important to build up teaching-related experience during your undergraduate degree and to apply each for teacher training.

Job profile of a secondary school teacher from the Prospects website
Job profile of a secondary school teacher from the TARGET Jobs website
I Want to Work In: Teaching

You may be interested in graduate roles outside of Computing. There are many employers who are looking for graduates with good degrees but that don’t have a preference for the subject studied. To explore different career options see:

Skills gained

As well as their subject-specific knowledge and skills, a graduate in Computing will typically be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to Computing and computer applications
  • Use such understanding in modelling and designing computer based systems for the purposes of comprehension, communication, prediction and the understanding of trade-offs
  • Use criteria and specifications appropriate to specific problems, and plan solutions
  • Analyse the extent to which a computer-based system meets defined requirements
  • Deploy appropriate theory, practices and tools to specify, design, implement and evaluate computer-based systems
  • Present succinctly to a range of audiences (orally, electronically or in writing) rational and reasoned arguments that address a given information handling problem or opportunity
  • Recognise the professional, moral and ethical issues involved in exploiting computer technology and be guided by appropriate professional, ethical and legal practices
  • Work as a development team member, recognising the different roles within a team and different ways of organising teams
  • Operate computing equipment, taking account of its logical and physical properties
  • Deploy information retrieval skills (including using browsers, search engines and catalogues)
  • Exercise numeracy skills and use effectively general IT facilities
  • Manage personal development including using time management and organisational skills.
  • Communication - oral and written
  • Technical aptitude
  • Career motivation
  • Analytical skills
  • Business Awareness
  • Numeracy
  • Technical Knowledge
  • Team-working
  • Problem solving
  • Leadership

Note that technical aptitude comes before technical knowledge – this is because it's regarded as more important to be able to learn a new language quickly than to know a particular language.

This is not an exhaustive list of skills - you will develop many skills from your course, extra-curricular activities and work experience. You can find out more about the skills employers look for and how you can develop them.

Find a job

The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes a vacancy database advertising a range of graduate jobs, sandwich placements and vacation work/internships. The websites listed below may also be useful when searching for a job and when looking for further information on this sector.

Useful Information Sources and General IT Links

IT Recruitment

IT Employers

The following employers are a selection known to offer IT roles.

You may also find useful reviews and application/interview tips for specific organisations on the following websites:
Glassdoor
The Job Crowd

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