Computing Qualifications

[(Shovel)]

Evenin'

I'm currently in the middle of of my first year A level exams (the "new" AS levels) and am being bugged to make decisions about universities and where to go in 18 months time.

I'm taking Maths and Computing and I'm looking to do something computing related at university.

Basically, the main course I've found is straight computer science BSc (presumably upgradeable to an MSc at a later date) but I am prepared to bet that this is not the only, and maybe not the best route into the computer industry.

My job aims would ideally be something involving some applications programming and system analysis (sys analysis is the main intrest, cause it actually sounds quite varied, please correct me if I'm wrong!!!).

So, to all you IT people who are sitting in your hidey holes "working", am I going the right way? or are there better qualifications to have? or some which are important in addition to a BSc/MSc???

Also, any tips on the best unis for Computing? (Nottingham looks nice, but only offers straight computer science, but has NFFC nearby! lol)

Thanks!

 

[old.?]

LOL, I think I am perfect guy to help.

I'm at Salford Uni doing Computer Science BSc, it's a 4 year course with one year in industry [very important for paying bills].

The best uni in country for Computer Tech is UMIST, which is in Manchester, but you need a hell of a lot of points to get in there, and a Maths grade B is essential, which is very hard seeing as though I've done P3 and P4 !!!

There are also other such courses like Information Systems and Technology, Leisure Programming etc...

If you want some links ask, and I'll provide them to all info you need.

 

[Testin da Cable]

I studied Photography

 

[bids]

Me did Pathology - now an IT type chappy

 

[Ono]

Engineering.

Now a mega rich cororate accountant type.

 

[Wij]

I did Philosophy. Don't bother doing a computing degree if u wanna get into IT. As long as u have a degree of some sort and pass the aptitude tests most places will take u. Do a degree that u will enjoy and that doesn't take up too much of your time so u can drink hard and paaaaaaaarty

 

[Testin da Cable]

Do a degree that u will enjoy and that doesn't take up too much of your time so u can drink hard and paaaaaaaarty

aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

 

[Wij]

U know it's true

 

[Testin da Cable]

you're bringing up luverly memories

 

[Wij]

My memories r all f00ked up cos I did acid most nights for 3 years

 

[old.?]

I did acid once, I was only 13 years old, my head has been crazy ever since!

I was jumping round everywhere 'til 4am laughing at everything with a load of mates. Nobody told me they lasted 12 hours

 

[Wij]

Just don't do shrooms then if acid f00ks u up

Ooops, gone off-topic now. Sorry

 

[Wazzerphuk]

I'm studying Computing, Sociology and Photography at A-Level. Dropping Media Studies after the AS is done. I'll probably go and do Photography at a higher level, too.

 

[Testin da Cable]

photography was waay cool, but then the school I went to was dedicated to it so I guess that makes it slightly better
schroomies are better than acieeed =P

 

[Wazzerphuk]

lol
Ideally, I'd like to be a photographer, as a living. That'd rock, I love it so much. Even better would be the fact I could do all the arty shit I do now as the living - although where's the money gonna come from from doing that? I'll guess I'll have to stick to photojournalism

 

[Wij]

shrooms make u puke tho

 

[Testin da Cable]

it's funny that your body knows that it shouldn't be eating 'em

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Not planning on trying shrooms or acid atm.
Skunk does me grand

 

[Wij]

Re:

Originally posted by testin_da_cable

it's funny that your body knows that it shouldn't be eating 'em

I had a mate who told me that shrooms were much better for u than acid cos they were 'natural'. Fucking muppet About as natural as toadstools and they don't do u much good. Only puked off acid about twice after taking it for years. Shrooms always made me vom. My body knows what's just bad for me and what's REEEEEEEEEEEEEEALLY bad for me

btw - I don't take anything no more. Drugs r bad mmmmm'kay !

 

[Testin da Cable]

never got sick on errm mind altering substances [thank god -I really wouldn't want to puke while tripping wooo damn]
have puked on grass/hash tho and gone 'out'

and I too no longer take em.
experimenting is fine, but in the end one must choose to continue with it or not.
I chose not.

 

[Wij]

Re:

Originally posted by testin_da_cable

never got sick on errm mind altering substances [thank god -I really wouldn't want to puke while tripping wooo damn]

Never experienced the old 'Rainbow Yawn' then ?

 

[Testin da Cable]

no heh, and I'm glad of it too

 

[old.?]

Here's a tip:

Don't fall asleep whilst tripping

Hella wierd stuff happens! uke:

 

[old.Kez]

Originally posted by Wazzerphuk
Even better would be the fact I could do all the arty shit I do now as the living.

Scat is not art.

 

[bodhi]

Will a degree in Astrophysics do?

 

[nothing]

apparently English degree will get j00 into just about anything. But for IT, there are IT courses you can do on your own. Maths is a must, and Discrete would be a good idea as it involves algorithms. Computer science? never heard of it, but it sounds useful. Basically tho, a well respected degree (law, english, maths, sciences etc) will get you into just abut any job you want. Except sport.

 

[old.spagbog]

I agree with Mungo_jerry get a decent grade with any degree (especially Math /science). Although a computer related degree with an idustrial placement (get experience ) cannot be bad. BUT make sure it is something that you are interested in!

A degree shows employers that you can commit to something for more than a few Months and that you are of a certain 'calibre'
Employers are usually more interested in your experience and skills as a person rather than what degree you obtained.

basically get your degree as a 'base' qualification, Then keep your skills updated, there seems to be so many options around for obtaining extra qualifications.

Good Luck

 

[old.Rostam]

I got a degree in spooning and got a job. Not in computer field though.
Hope this helps. Good luck

 

[old.[MAD]Lexx]

I did a degree in Software Engineering - graduated in 2000 from Bournemouth. I'd highly recommend it, just due to it not being too taxing, well not until the final year. You get a placement year which is cool because that really helps out when you try and get a job at the end of it, and Bournemouth is basically a ph4t town full of pubs and clubs.... oh and don't forget the sea!

Software Engineering (I'm sure will be the same whatever university you choose) goes over basically all of the computing bits you need - programming, which was the main part, Databases, Artificial Intelligence (games!), Networking, systems architecture (how computers work), and all that kind of shit. But yeah, I'd definitely get a good grade in Maths - it's a big help.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Originally posted by Kez
Scat is not art.

Shhh, if you tell them that they will make me stop! :/