'Explore computer science and mathematics in the UK and fulfil your potential '
You can find hundreds of computing and maths courses using the ‘Search’ tool on the top right hand side of this website. Simply choose the ‘Courses’ tab, select your course category and then select ‘Computing, mathematical and information sciences’ from the subject field. On the ‘Scholarships’ tab you can also look for financial support too.
As businesses evolve, so do their IT requirements. Much of the work on new IT systems and innovations starts in universities and colleges across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Computer scientists and mathematicians use UK universities and colleges as bases to conduct research into new systems. And many private companies work with universities on research, ensuring these projects are relevant to industry and well funded.
There are numerous opportunities for research, and many routes into the thriving computer science and mathematics sectors. You can opt to study computer science, information systems or mathematics as single subjects, or combine them with others. For example, a course in mathematics with biology could enable you to use equations to solve biomedical problems.
Computer science graduates’ problem-solving skills and analytical thinking are in demand throughout business and industry, from finance and e-commerce to virtual reality, multimedia and telecommunications.
Mathematical sciences are the building blocks on which many technological breakthroughs and advances have been built. The United Kingdom is well respected for its work in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and operational research.
Mathematical experts’ contributions in many areas of technology and engineering have a direct impact on our lives, addressing and solving some of the challenges facing society today. From improving air travel safety by developing better luggage-screening facilities, to making online shopping more secure by subjecting encryption methods to rigorous mathematical analysis, today’s mathematical research covers a range of diverse areas.
A mathematics degree gives you a solid grounding in mathematical, computer science and statistical topics, allowing you to work in finance, systems, industrial and commercial mathematics, telecommunications or IT applications and research.
The exciting arenas of computer science and mathematics are full of potential, and a UK education will make sure you have the chance to explore it fully.
What can I study?
Computer science and IT: schools and further education
There are many computer science and IT options at pre-university level, from GCSEs, International Baccalaurate, AS- and A-levels levels (or in Scotland, the equivalent Highers and Advanced Highers) in Computing and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to a wide range of vocational qualifications.
These vocational qualifications include BTEC Firsts and Nationals in IT, as well as at various levels in subjects such as Software Development, Computer Science and Quality Assurance for Computer Games Development. Selected schools in England also offer the Diploma in Information Technology.
Computer science and IT: higher education
New Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs) are constantly being introduced as the industry adapts to new uses and applications. A BTEC HND in Interactive Media blends computer programming with sound, graphics and video, and could lead to a career as a website or interactive media designer. A BTEC HND in Computing and Systems Development could lead you into programming, e-business strategy or managing IT systems.
Foundation Degrees in computer science and IT have been developed with employers to address specific skill shortages in technical and managerial areas. There are about 300 Foundation Degree programmes available (more than for any other subject apart from business), including Web Development, Software Engineering, Digital Media Technology, and Computer Systems and Networking.
As more specialised applications of IT and computer science emerge, the range of undergraduate degrees expands. You can take computer science or IT as single subjects or opt for a particular area such as business information technology, e-commerce or software engineering. You can also combine subjects to move towards a specialism or enhance your employability. Specialist undergraduate degree programmes exist in Computer Science with Law, Computing with Accounting and Finance, and Chemistry with Computer Science, for example.
Computer graphics continues to grow in popularity and courses are available in vision and games, interactive systems and video games design, animation design, and internet technology.
Mathematics: schools and further education
Mathematics is a core subject within the UK National Curriculum and is compulsory for schoolchildren up to the age of 16. Highers and Advanced Highers in Scottish schools and colleges, and elsewhere in Britain GCSEs, AS- and A-levels, are available in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Pure Mathematics and Statistics. These provide an excellent basis for any career where money handling or budgetary planning is necessary, as well as for progression to medicine, engineering and science subjects at higher education level.
GCSE grades A* to C or equivalent are required for most higher education courses. A good level of numeracy is essential for many jobs, and without a mathematics GCSE or equivalent many careers or educational pathways may not be available to you.
BTEC qualifications in subjects such as Retail Knowledge contain a strong element of numeracy and mathematical planning and offer a good career path if you enjoy working with numbers. Within higher education, mathematics plays a key part in subjects such as business, engineering and science, so gaining a good basic knowledge at pre‑university level is essential if you plan to study in these areas.
Mathematics: higher education
Most undergraduate mathematics courses take three years, and lead to a BSc degree, although you could do a four-year sandwich course, including a year-long placement in industry (check your immigration status allows you to do a work placement at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk). An increasing number of institutions offer four-year undergraduate master’s courses leading to a Master of Mathematics (MMath).
Mathematics can be studied as a purely theoretical subject in degrees such as Pure Mathematics and Statistics or Mathematics and Philosophy. It can also be combined with disciplines such as business, information systems, physics, economics, entrepreneurship, engineering, law, biology and meteorology.
To study any mathematics course at higher education level, a good A-level or equivalent qualification in the subject is usually essential. Some institutions may require you to have an additional A-level in a related subject, such as statistics, physics or further mathematics.
As businesses evolve, so do their IT requirements. Much of the work on new IT systems and innovations starts in universities and colleges across Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Computer scientists and mathematicians use UK universities and colleges as bases to conduct research into new systems. And many private companies work with universities on research, ensuring these projects are relevant to industry and well funded.
There are numerous opportunities for research, and many routes into the thriving computer science and mathematics sectors. You can opt to study computer science, information systems or mathematics as single subjects, or combine them with others. For example, a course in mathematics with biology could enable you to use equations to solve biomedical problems.
Computer science graduates’ problem-solving skills and analytical thinking are in demand throughout business and industry, from finance and e-commerce to virtual reality, multimedia and telecommunications.
Mathematical sciences are the building blocks on which many technological breakthroughs and advances have been built. The United Kingdom is well respected for its work in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and operational research.
Mathematical experts’ contributions in many areas of technology and engineering have a direct impact on our lives, addressing and solving some of the challenges facing society today. From improving air travel safety by developing better luggage-screening facilities, to making online shopping more secure by subjecting encryption methods to rigorous mathematical analysis, today’s mathematical research covers a range of diverse areas.
A mathematics degree gives you a solid grounding in mathematical, computer science and statistical topics, allowing you to work in finance, systems, industrial and commercial mathematics, telecommunications or IT applications and research.
The exciting arenas of computer science and mathematics are full of potential, and a UK education will make sure you have the chance to explore it fully.
What can I study?
Computer science and IT: schools and further education
There are many computer science and IT options at pre-university level, from GCSEs, International Baccalaurate, AS- and A-levels levels (or in Scotland, the equivalent Highers and Advanced Highers) in Computing and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to a wide range of vocational qualifications.
These vocational qualifications include BTEC Firsts and Nationals in IT, as well as at various levels in subjects such as Software Development, Computer Science and Quality Assurance for Computer Games Development. Selected schools in England also offer the Diploma in Information Technology.
Computer science and IT: higher education
New Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Diplomas (HNDs) are constantly being introduced as the industry adapts to new uses and applications. A BTEC HND in Interactive Media blends computer programming with sound, graphics and video, and could lead to a career as a website or interactive media designer. A BTEC HND in Computing and Systems Development could lead you into programming, e-business strategy or managing IT systems.
Foundation Degrees in computer science and IT have been developed with employers to address specific skill shortages in technical and managerial areas. There are about 300 Foundation Degree programmes available (more than for any other subject apart from business), including Web Development, Software Engineering, Digital Media Technology, and Computer Systems and Networking.
As more specialised applications of IT and computer science emerge, the range of undergraduate degrees expands. You can take computer science or IT as single subjects or opt for a particular area such as business information technology, e-commerce or software engineering. You can also combine subjects to move towards a specialism or enhance your employability. Specialist undergraduate degree programmes exist in Computer Science with Law, Computing with Accounting and Finance, and Chemistry with Computer Science, for example.
Computer graphics continues to grow in popularity and courses are available in vision and games, interactive systems and video games design, animation design, and internet technology.
Mathematics: schools and further education
Mathematics is a core subject within the UK National Curriculum and is compulsory for schoolchildren up to the age of 16. Highers and Advanced Highers in Scottish schools and colleges, and elsewhere in Britain GCSEs, AS- and A-levels, are available in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Pure Mathematics and Statistics. These provide an excellent basis for any career where money handling or budgetary planning is necessary, as well as for progression to medicine, engineering and science subjects at higher education level.
GCSE grades A* to C or equivalent are required for most higher education courses. A good level of numeracy is essential for many jobs, and without a mathematics GCSE or equivalent many careers or educational pathways may not be available to you.
BTEC qualifications in subjects such as Retail Knowledge contain a strong element of numeracy and mathematical planning and offer a good career path if you enjoy working with numbers. Within higher education, mathematics plays a key part in subjects such as business, engineering and science, so gaining a good basic knowledge at pre‑university level is essential if you plan to study in these areas.
Mathematics: higher education
Most undergraduate mathematics courses take three years, and lead to a BSc degree, although you could do a four-year sandwich course, including a year-long placement in industry (check your immigration status allows you to do a work placement at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk). An increasing number of institutions offer four-year undergraduate master’s courses leading to a Master of Mathematics (MMath).
Mathematics can be studied as a purely theoretical subject in degrees such as Pure Mathematics and Statistics or Mathematics and Philosophy. It can also be combined with disciplines such as business, information systems, physics, economics, entrepreneurship, engineering, law, biology and meteorology.
To study any mathematics course at higher education level, a good A-level or equivalent qualification in the subject is usually essential. Some institutions may require you to have an additional A-level in a related subject, such as statistics, physics or further mathematics.
