Computer Science Internships

What is computer science?

Computer science is a branch of IT that revolves around the study of computers on a theoretical level, and in application.

In truth, computer scientists do a lot more than study laptops. Computer systems have entered almost every aspect of modern life. It’s the digital age! They control the world’s financial systems, travel services and even our fridge freezers.

Computer scientists look at the systems we’ve built to manage the world’s finances (and fridges) and ask the question, could we be doing this better? To put it simply, they think about how computers or computation can solve problems.

Below is a nice list of some more specific things computer scientists explore through their work…

• algorithms

• architecture and organisation

• computational science

• graphics and visualisations

• human/computer interaction

• intelligent systems

• networking and communications

• programming languages

• software engineering

Computer science internships

DURATION: 4-16 weeks

FOR: Everyone

WHEN TO APPLY: Sep-Mar

Internships in the UK are sometimes advertised as ‘summer internships’ because the majority take place in the summer months.

The content of an internship really depends on how long it lasts. If it’s a short four-week scheme, the programme will likely be designed to introduce you to a specific department or area of a business.

More extensive schemes on the other hand could include adventures across multiple departments.

No matter the length of the scheme, all interns get a taste of a company’s culture, and what it’s really like to work for a particular company.

Why you should get work experience in computer science

A degree in computer science is not enough to ensure you’ll get a graduate job. It might sound savage, but it’s true!

The reality is, there is a lot of competition for places; the Institute of Student Employers report that, last year, there was an average of 60 applications for graduate jobs in IT. It’s super competitive – like a particularly feisty episode of Countdown.

It’s so, so important to get work experience in computer science while you’re still at university. Getting a placement or internship will improve your chances of getting graduate roles significantly – and there are two reasons why…

Talent spotters

Graduate recruiters are a little like trainspotters, but they’re looking for talented students, not trains. They search high and low for the best students to join their business.

One of the first places employers look for filling graduate roles is their undergraduate intake.

That’s one of the main reasons why businesses hire placement students and interns – they’re talent spotting. These schemes are used by companies to find potential candidates for their graduate roles two years down the line.

For this reason, students who get undergraduate work experience during their degree have a better chance of securing work post-graduation. In fact, 49% of hires made by the Top Student Employers consisted of former placement students and interns.

Transferable skills

Imagine the situation… Two computer science graduates, Tom and Sarah, are interviewing for a job at a Fintech company, but there’s only one position available.

Tom and Sarah have the same degree, a similar academic record and a remarkably similar CV, except in one key area.

Sarah completed a year-long technology placement with IBM as part of her degree. The employer chooses to hire Sarah for this very reason.

Sarah's placement imparted the key soft skills, which all employers look for. Her experience of working in a professional environment gave her the edge. Trinny was a fantastic candidate, but she lacked these crucial employability skills.

Doing a placement or internship, and getting work experience while you’re studying, will make you more employable.

Will you be paid?

The short answer is yes, but it depends.

With interns, it’s not so simple. The majority of computer science interns will be paid for their troubles because most employers recognise it’s fair to pay their interns for their hard work. For interns, the average salary is £28,198 on a pro-rata basis.

At the very least, an employer will cover your travel expenses. They may even cover your lunch, in which case, treat yourself. However, unpaid internships are not yet prohibited, so there is a chance you will not earn a dime for your work.

We don’t advertise any unpaid roles, so if you find a role and apply via Higherin, you can be sure to be paid for your work experience.

Computer science salaries in the UK

If you decide to pursue a career in this sector after you graduate, you can expect to earn a salary that far exceeds the national average. The average computer science salary in the UK is £57,500, but it can vary across different regions.