Is Computer Science Worth Studying?
· 7 min read
Computer science went from guaranteed to questioned in about three years. Both narratives are exaggerated. The useful answer depends on what you want from it and how you study it.
What has actually changed
Graduate hiring in software tightened after the 2022–2023 correction, and AI assistants now handle a meaningful share of routine implementation. Entry-level competition is genuinely harder than it was in 2021.
What has not changed is that organisations across banking, health, logistics, government and agriculture still run on software that needs building and maintaining, largely by people who understand systems rather than only syntax.
Who computer science still suits
It suits students who enjoy the underlying reasoning: algorithms, systems, data. Those fundamentals transfer into security, data engineering, machine learning, embedded systems and infrastructure — several markets, not one.
- You enjoy mathematics and abstraction
- You build things outside coursework
- You are willing to specialise rather than remain a generic 'developer'
Who should think twice
If your interest is mainly the salary reports, the degree will be a hard three years — the maths content filters people out quickly. If you like technology but not abstraction, information systems, networking or technical diplomas may fit better and reach employment faster.
How to make it worth it
Graduates who do well share a pattern: real projects, at least one internship, a specialisation chosen by third year, and the ability to explain their work clearly. The degree opens the door; those four things get you through it.
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