Software developer
Software developers design, build, test and maintain the programs and apps that run on computers, phones, websites and machines.
What can you do with a computer science degree?
Also called: Computing · Informatics · Software engineering
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A computer science degree teaches how software, data and computer systems work, from programming and algorithms to networks and artificial intelligence. Most graduates become software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists or IT consultants, and the skills are used in almost every industry worldwide.
Careers with a computer science degree
Computer science graduates are hired across technology, finance, healthcare, retail, government and research. Many start as developers or analysts, then move into specialist areas such as security, AI or cloud engineering, or into product and management roles. The degree also suits careers where programming is a tool rather than the job itself, such as quantitative finance, scientific research and teaching.
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Web developer
Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications, from the pages people see to the servers and databases behind them.
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Data scientist
Data scientists use statistics, programming and machine learning to find patterns in data and help organisations make decisions or build data-driven products.
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AI engineer
AI engineers, also called machine learning engineers, build and run systems that learn from data, such as recommendation tools, image recognition and applications based on large language models.
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Cybersecurity specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect computer systems, networks and data from attacks, theft and damage.
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Network engineer
Network engineers design, build and maintain the networks that connect computers, phones, servers and cloud services within and between organisations.
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Game designer
Game designers decide how a video game works: its rules, goals, levels, characters, story and the experience players have.
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Database administrator
Database administrators, often called DBAs, set up, secure and maintain the databases that store an organisation's information, from customer records to financial transactions.
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IT support technician
IT support technicians help people and organisations keep their computers, software, phones and networks working.
Other roles graduates go into: Cloud engineer · DevOps engineer · Product manager · Technical consultant · Quantitative analyst · IT project manager
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Programming and software engineering
- Algorithms and data structures
- Computer architecture and operating systems
- Databases and data management
- Networks and cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Mathematics for computing, including discrete maths and statistics
- Human-computer interaction
Skills you gain
- Writing, testing and debugging code
- Breaking complex problems into logical steps
- Analysing data and building models
- Designing systems that are secure and reliable
- Working in project teams using version control
- Explaining technical ideas to non-specialists
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK and much of Europe, a bachelor's degree usually takes three years, often followed by a one- or two-year master's. In the United States, Canada and many Asian countries it is typically a four-year programme with more general education courses. Some countries use the name informatics or computer engineering for similar degrees. Entry usually requires strong mathematics, and some programmes are accredited by professional bodies, which can help with certain employers and later licensing.
How do computer science graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Information and communication technologies”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 167 (2023) | 93.1% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Latvia | 167 (2023) | 87.1% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Costa Rica | 118 (2023) | 88.2% (2024) | 79.2% |
| United States | 118 (2023) | 87.1% (2017) | 84.3% |
| United Kingdom | 117 (2020) | 85.5% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Romania | 115 (2023) | 95.8% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Portugal | 113 (2020) | 91.4% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Finland | 113 (2022) | 89.7% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Canada | 108 (2020) | 83.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Slovenia | 107 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Norway | 107 (2023) | 92.1% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Switzerland | 107 (2023) | 90.6% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Austria | 106 (2023) | 91.9% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Chile | 106 (2023) | 88.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| South Korea | 106 (2023) | — | — |
| Denmark | 105 (2023) | 87.4% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Sweden | 104 (2023) | 92.7% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Luxembourg | 102 (2023) | 86.9% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Mexico | 101 (2023) | 85.7% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Australia | 99 (2020) | 91.3% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Germany | 96 (2020) | 91.4% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Iceland | — | 97.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Czechia | — | 95.3% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Slovakia | — | 95.0% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Poland | — | 94.9% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Croatia | — | 93.6% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Lithuania | — | 93.1% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Belgium | — | 92.6% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Netherlands | — | 92.5% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Ireland | — | 89.0% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Greece | — | 88.4% (2024) | 82.3% |
| France | — | 87.4% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Spain | — | 87.4% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Italy | — | 86.0% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Peru | — | 83.5% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 73.9% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Computer science” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £31,500 | £24,900 | £41,000 | 85.3% |
| After 3 years | £38,100 | £28,500 | £51,200 | 86.5% |
| After 5 years | £41,700 | £30,000 | £58,200 | 86.5% |
| After 10 years | £49,400 | £33,300 | £73,900 | 84.8% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a computer science degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You enjoy solving puzzles and finding out why something does not work.
- You are comfortable with mathematics and logical reasoning.
- You like building things and seeing them used by other people.
Think twice if
- You dislike spending long periods working at a computer.
- You want to avoid mathematics, which appears in most programmes.
- You mainly want to use technology rather than understand how it works.
Further study
Many graduates go straight into work, but a master's degree is common for specialist roles in artificial intelligence, data science and security, and for international students seeking work in another country. A PhD leads to research posts in universities and industry labs. Professional certifications in cloud platforms or security are popular alongside work.
Questions about studying computer science
What jobs can you get with a computer science degree?
The most common jobs are software developer, web developer, data scientist, data analyst, cybersecurity specialist, network engineer and AI engineer. Graduates also work as IT consultants, product managers, game designers and technical specialists in finance, healthcare and government.
Is computer science a hard degree?
It is demanding because it combines mathematics, logic and a lot of practical programming. Students who practise coding regularly and keep up with the mathematics usually find it manageable, and many programmes offer foundation modules for beginners.
Is a computer science degree worth it?
In most countries computer science graduates have strong employment prospects and above-average earnings, as the official data on this page shows for the UK. Results vary by country, university and how much practical experience you build during the degree.
Can I study computer science without knowing how to code?
Yes. Most degree programmes start from the basics and do not require previous programming experience, although they usually expect good mathematics. Trying a free online coding course before you apply is a good way to check you enjoy it.
Related subjects
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Data science
A data science degree teaches how to collect, clean, analyse and learn from data, combining statistics, programming and machine learning with knowledge of real-world problems.
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Mathematics
A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.
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Electrical engineering
An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH11-01-01 — Computer science
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0613
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a computer science degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/computer-science/ (accessed September 26, 2026)