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Computer science graduates have highest unemployment rate

UK computer science students have the highest rate of unemployment six months after graduation, according to a report

Kayleigh Bateman
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Published: 14 Jan 2015 15:45

UK computer science students have the highest rate of unemployment among all disciplines, according to stats from the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB).

The NCUB revealed 13% of computer science students are still unemployed six months after graduating, compared with an average of 8% across all subjects.

The research was commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and included a survey of 40 higher education institutions.

The report also revealed 26% of third-year computing undergraduates took a work placement, the majority of which were a year long.

NCUB chief executive David Docherty said the research was timely and seeks to highlight the high levels of unemployment faced by computer sciecne graduates, as well as how placements help to address the issue.

“NCUB is committed to building on this research to ensure placements for computer science students are actively advertised on our website, and to work with universities and businesses to extend their provision to a greater number of students.”

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CoderDojo Liverpool

Meanwhile, CoderDojo has opened a free programming club in Liverpool. CoderDojo teaches young people to code, develop websites, apps, programs and games in sessions run by volunteers all over the world.

The club for young people aged between seven and 17 will focus on digital media and will be based at The Studio in Liverpool.

The Studio’s staff and students, as well as volunteers from the University of Liverpool, will teach coding languages, game and Minecraft development. They will also support young people in learning how to develop computer code, websites, apps, programs and games.

The Studio director of enterprise Jade Parkinson-Hill said the organisation wanted to give young people in Liverpool access to "the skills of tomorrow" with an invitation to join a rapidly expanding global community.

“This dojo is the first of its kind in Liverpool and we’re looking forward to inviting our city’s young people and their carers into our school to learn the secrets behind the software and technology we use every day.”

The Studio specialises in gaming, digital technology and coding. It plans to host monthly CoderDojo events from Saturday 21 January, which will take place between 9.30am and 11am.

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