Exploring opportunities in computer science

Interested in designing digital solutions to optimise business operations? Protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats? Designing the next hyper-engaging social media mobile app? Making the impossible possible using artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)? Wherever your passion and curiosity lie, computer science has a home for them.

Computer science is an ever-evolving, high-growth, global industry – and the opportunities it offers are limitless. If you’re looking for a highly versatile, sought-after degree that will help boost your employability and lead to an engaging, challenging career, an MSc Computer Science might be the answer.

What’s the employment outlook for the computer science industry?

While the tech industry has experienced turbulence over the last couple of years, it’s poised to bounce back: as Deloitte put it, ‘at mid-decade, the sector appears positioned for growth.’ CompTIA state: ‘businesses will have an ever-growing appetite for technology as a primary tool for delivering results. There will always be fluctuations in hiring and employment, but the long-term future is bright for technology professionals.’

Statistics shared by TechTarget back this up:

• LinkedIn job listings referencing AI have more than doubled worldwide from 2021 to 2023
• Computer and IT occupations are expected to grow much faster than the average from 2023 to 2033
• Python is the most in-demand skill in job listings
• The average worldwide salary for IT professionals has increased nearly 5% since last year, and 44% of organisations boost pay for workers with AI and machine learning (ML) skills.

And, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of jobs in the information technology sector is expected to grow 23% within the next decade, partly due to growing reliance on cybersecurity and data needs. It’s the ideal time to join a booming industry – and one with huge potential for opportunity and progression.

Why are computer science skills in such high demand?

From data analysis and AI to cybersecurity and software, organisations require tech advancements to uphold competitive edge and ensure short and long-term viability. The take-up of digital solutions has exploded across industries including finance, healthcare, transport, and education.

Global market intelligence firm, IDC, anticipates that 90% of organisations worldwide will be affected by an IT skills shortage by 2026. With AI and new technologies advancing faster than businesses – and workforces – can react, finding skilled computing professionals to meet critical business needs is paramount.

With our world economy heavily reliant on computer technology, information systems, telecommunications, and digital transformation (DX), it’s also heavily reliant on the numerous specialists who design, build, fix, maintain, and monitor computer technologies.

Interestingly, a Forbes article outlining the most in-demand skills employers will look for in 2025 – which is not specifically about the tech industry – features several computer science-specific skills. For example, full stack development, programming languages (Python, SQL, Java, and JavaScript), AI, and machine learning.

What can you do with a computer science degree?

As an MSc Computer Science graduate and IT professional, you’ll have a whole array of career paths and opportunities to choose from. Your technical skills will have mass, real-world, cross-industry appeal, and can be applied in any number of ways depending on your interests, specialisations and skill set, and career aspirations.

The career mainstays of computer science – including computer scientist, web developer, database administrator, web designer, computer systems programmer, software developer, data analyst, and network engineer – are as in-demand as ever. You could improve software functionality, train deep learning or NLP algorithms, manage penetration and threat testing, derive insights from complex datasets, optimise deployment pipelines, scale software architecture, design virtual worlds, research new technologies, or launch your own tech start-up. With an MSc, you could also pursue leadership, consultancy, and management positions.

As well as skills in specialist technologies and computing, computer science courses equip you with attributes that have relevance in all workplaces, including adaptability, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Not certain what path you want to take? Work experience placements and internships can be a fantastic way to see what different parts of the industry have to offer.

What are some of the emerging areas in computing and tech?

The tech world is defined by evolution and innovation, continually pushing its own frontiers and subverting our definitions of what’s possible. Here are some examples of the varied, exciting areas of emerging tech you could work in:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning – as an ML engineer, AI researcher, or data scientist
• Big data analytics/Data science – as a data visualisation developer, business intelligence specialist, or data scientist
• Bioinformatics and computational biology – as a bioinformatics engineer or research engineer
• Cloud computing – as a network architect, cloud engineer, or cloud security specialist
• Computer forensics – as a forensic computer analyst
• Cybersecurity – as cybersecurity analyst, information security manager, or systems engineer
• Internet of Things (IoT) – as a systems designer, IoT developer, or vulnerability analyst
• Robotics and autonomous systems – as a software developer, robotics engineer, or robotics technician
• User experience (UX) design and human-computer interaction (HCI) – as a UX designer, product manager, or information architect
•  Video game design – as a programmer, games developer, or technical support specialist.

Opportunities also exist in emerging areas such as sustainable computing and green IT, quantum computing, edge computing (with the likes of Microsoft leading the charge), extended reality (XR), blockchain and cryptography, and ethical hacking.

What are the highest-paying computing jobs?

While lifetime earnings may or may not be a main factor in deciding your future CS career path, salary remains an important consideration. Certain higher-paying positions require knowledge of specific technologies – together with other skills, such as project management, leadership, and communication – as well as considerable experience and responsibility. Some may also require certifications. Keeping in mind the skill set you need to acquire can help you choose the ideal master’s programme for your needs.

Indeed share some tech and computing roles that command higher average salaries:

• Software engineer: £44,547 per year
• Data scientist: £50,317 per year
• Cloud consultant: £65,189 per year
• Python developer: £67,096 per year
• DevOps engineer: £65,184 per year
• Data warehouse architect: £69,325 per year
• Software architect: £72,938 per year
• Chief technology officer: £95,017 per year.

Find out where a postgraduate computer science degree could take you

Step into the specialist world of tech – and gain essential skills to broaden your computing career opportunities – with Keele’s 100%-online MSc Computer Science programme.

Develop a deep understanding of the fundamentals of computer science and upskill ready to meet the digital needs of all types of global businesses. Example modules include UX design, data analytics and databases, software engineering, web technologies and security, and advanced programming. Throughout your online studies, our dedicated careers service will be on hand to help you figure out your career options, from exploring internships to pinpointing your dream career in computer science.