So, you pretty much know all the details and info you need to study a Bachelor of Information Technology in Computer Science at QUT — take a quick look here if you need a refresher!
Now, do you want to know how people really feel about this degree?
No worries, we’ve got you! We met Josh, a student at QUT who is doing a double degree in Information Technology (Computer Science) and Engineering (Mechatronics). We had the chance to get the answers to all your questions.
Let’s get into it!
Why should you study a Computer Science degree at QUT?
Top 3 Pros of a Computer Science Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Computer Science Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting QUT Computer Science
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying QUT Computer Science
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Computer Science degree at QUT?
Studying a Bachelor of Information Technology in Computer Science at QUT prepares you to enter the IT world where you’ll be managing IT projects and working with clients. It’s a hands-on degree where you’ll develop skills including programming and coding as well as how to work collaboratively to find solutions for various IT projects.
There’s also emphasis on project management and the business side of IT. During your final year, you’ll have the chance to put all the skills and knowledge you’ve gained into practice by working in a team to create and deliver a product for stakeholders.
Top 3 Pros of a Computer Science degree
#1: Lots of engaging extracurricular activities
Josh told us that one of his favourite things about his degree is the amount of enjoyment you get from it and that there are a lot of societies and events.
“This year, there’s a lot of engaging activities and clubs where you can take that knowledge you’ve learned from the degree and participate,” he said.
Josh said that this year there was an exciting robotics club that helps you practise what you’ve learned. Sounds like a fun learning environment!
CODE Network runs hackathons, networking evenings, industry panels and all kinds of workshops to do with software!
For all the women out there studying IT, you’ll want to join Women in Technology where you can meet other women who are also passionate about technology. It’s a great place to meet friends and develop your academic career.
Now, White Hats are another great club and they’re all about cyber-security! They run a whole bunch of up-skilling workshops and have industry guests.
#2: Gaining connections with people in the industry
“The university provides the opportunity to go to events where you can meet people in the industry, where you can develop connections, and then later on, you have a better step into the doorway,” Josh told us.
Now, the clubs that we mentioned above have industry panels and/or networking evenings!
You really want to go to these kinds of events from the first year because that’s where you start to establish a network, hear from people in the industry and get insights into how the industry is changing and/or progressing!
#3: Communication skills
“There’s a lot of assignments where it simulates a real-life scenario, where a tutor pretends to be the client, and you have to conduct meetings and interviews with them and your team,” Josh explained.
The degree teaches you some vital communication skills, that will help you manage future clients and IT projects.
You’ll learn how to run scrum meetings — agile development cycles where you keep the client informed at each stage of the project. The degree goes past just learning how to program!
Top 3 Cons of a Computer Science degree
#1: Intense assessments
“You do have to put a lot of work outside of uni in order to make sure you finish the assignment on time,” Josh said.
He told us that for some programming assessments you must put in lots of hours outside of uni.
He had to put around 32 hours of work into a single assessment. Now, we know that sounds intense, however not all assessments are that stressful!
#2: Group assignments can be challenging to manage
Josh explained that the assessments are not designed for one person to do it by themselves.
It’s true, everyone has to be interested and involved in it and if they aren’t, everything starts to fall apart and it can be really unfair.
“I had, I think seven or eight people leave my group. I had to finish that assignment basically by myself,” Josh said.
#3: Some tutors lose interest
“There are some people who just lost interest in what they’re teaching,” he said
Josh told us some tutors don’t communicate well within his course and didn’t reply for days. “That can make the unit a lot harder to get through,” he said.
However, don’t worry too much, not all tutors are like that and overall Josh has had a great experience!
Any regrets?
“I’ve regretted not being more confident and going to those career nights when I was in my first semester. If I went to those, they probably would have taught me some valuable study skills,” Josh explained.
So, take this on board and get involved in all these career nights from the get-go!
What do you wish you had known before starting Computer Science at QUT?
“I could have accessed the units beforehand. You can access them as soon as you’ve enrolled before you start the classes,” Josh said.
If he would have known that he could get a head start with the content and assignments, instead of leaving it until the last minute, it would’ve made life a little bit easier for him!
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
#1: QUT’s approach to create a more practical learning environment
“QUT is a lot more practical in the way they teach the content,“ Josh said.
Often, he was given real life scenarios and certain criteria, and then he needed to judge whether it was what the client wanted.
So, you’re getting that practical experience that you’ll need once you enter the IT world which will make you feel a lot more confident and ready!
#2: Career nights and student support
Josh told us that QUT offers great support to their students.
“QUT does provide so many support events on how to do study better — they do something once every semester, called I think it’s the Night Against Procrastination, where it’s 40 or 50 people on the library just studying,” Josh said.
There are also career nights, where Josh and his fellow students have the possibility to meet their (possible) future employers. Now that sounds like a great opportunity!
What inspired you to choose Computer Science at QUT?
“I discussed with some people beforehand who were studying or working in Computer Science. They went on about how great the university and the degree is,” Josh explained.
His sister also went to QUT before him and told him what a great campus QUT has. On top of that Josh took an IT course in his high school that ended up being one of his favourite units!
What are the possible career paths?
“I think everyone should start looking towards something computer science related. Just seeing how the industry is constantly changing,” Josh said.
Studying Computer Science opens possibilities for your future! Depending on what you’re most interested in, this degree could take you to into one of the following jobs:
- Computer game programmer
- Project developer
- Systems analyst
- IT consultant
- Web developer
- Cyber security analyst
- Multimedia programmer
- Database administrator
…and there are a lot more opportunities — these are just a few of the many!
Tanna Nankivell is a Senior Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently in Germany completing a year of study for her double degree in Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies). She has had articles published on Central News – the UTS Journalism Lab and wrote a feature piece for Time Out Sydney during her internship. Tanna has a love for travel and the great outdoors, you’ll either find her on the snowfields or in the ocean, teaching aqua aerobics or creating short films.
