Computer Science at Durham is joint 6th for employability (Complete University Guide 2025)
In Computer Science, we are proud of the fact that 96% of our students are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all of our programmes. Our graduates are amongst the most employable in the country.
Of those in employment:
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
As a department, we are committed to supporting all of our students in developing key employability skills during their time at Durham. As well as accessing a range of practical support, advice and guidance from the University’s highly regarded Careers & Enterprise Team, students can also develop a range of skills desired by employers through completing a Summer Internship, Placement Year or project in their final year of study. Students are also encouraged to join CompSoc, the University’s Computing Society, and take part in one of their regular Hackathons, which are supported by our industry partners. The University runs a wide range of events throughout the academic calendar, focused on the importance of developing the transferable skills required by the modern workplace.
"I graduated from Durham University with an MSci in Computer Science and Mathematics and my time there was instrumental in shaping my career in machine learning. I chose Durham for its strong reputation in computer science and the opportunity to work with leading researchers in the field. My dissertation in reinforcement learning played a crucial role in developing my interest and technical skills in machine learning, providing me with a solid foundation that I continue to build upon in my career.
Beyond academics, the supportive environment at Durham was invaluable. The professors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly approachable, offering guidance that helped me refine my research interests. The peers I met along the way challenged me to think critically and collaboratively, fostering a network of talented individuals who continue to inspire and support me in my professional journey.
Since graduating, I have leveraged the knowledge and skills gained at Durham to work on cutting-edge machine learning projects. The analytical and problem-solving abilities I developed during my studies have been essential in tackling real-world challenges. Looking back, my time at Durham was more than just an academic experience—it was a transformative period that set me up for success in the rapidly evolving field of AI."
“Durham is the perfect place to study. It is a sweet little university town with a great student experience and fantastic teaching staff who care. I met with the Computer Science departments at various other universities, but Durham was unmatched in hospitality, professionalism, and that unique mix of everything you want in a university.
The biggest highlight was flying to Florida to present my Machine Learning paper at the Grace Hopper Conference, a unique experience. But even the smaller moments, like having a great relationship with my supervisor and seeing my dissertation get used in the real world, made it all feel worth it.
The skills I took away weren’t just technical but also persistence. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And honestly, do things outside your degree. Internships, hackathons, and fun techy stuff you enjoy make you stand out and give you an advantage in the job hunt after your studies.
“As an international student, I chose Durham University as it was one of the best ranked universities for Computer Science in the UK, and also one of the top 100 in the world, where I expected to find an environment comprising academic excellence and the opportunity to meet people from all around the world. Not only was I under the tutelage of very capable faculty members that ensured excellent learning outcomes and student well-being, I also found myself developing interpersonal skills, engaging in thought-provoking conversations and making friends within a diverse student body, especially at my college accommodation.
My time at Durham also offered me plenty of opportunities to engage with employers and find out about potential career pathways right from the first year of my degree. I took part in summer and spring technology internships at major investment banks in my second and third years, which helped me learn about my interests and develop the skills employers are looking for fairly early on, and I landed a full-time offer well before the start of my final year. This was complemented by the many clubs and societies which not only gave me an opportunity to build my leadership skills, but also helped with well-being as I continued to pursue my interests and make friends alongside my academic and professional development. My time at Durham was truly holistic and I could not have asked for a better university experience!"
“Whilst studying for my MEng in Computer Science at Durham in 2016, I secured an interview for a Software Engineering Internship with Google. This was a really exciting opportunity for me. Looking back, my algorithms foundation at Durham really helped me through the interview process and I joined a Google Software Engineering team in July, based in Zurich. This global internship experience has really helped me to shape my future. Working alongside senior software engineers at Google provided me with valuable exposure to working life within one of the world’s biggest technology multinationals. During my 3 month internship, I also worked within the Google Calendar AI team, which provided me with first-hand experience of building software at scale.
After returning to Durham to finish my studies, I was offered a full time graduate position as a Software Engineer with Google’s Android team in London. Durham has a really good relationship with Google and I know other students have since benefitted from taking up internships and placements with them”.
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/departments-/computer-science/Image-15---Twizzy-Car-Durham-City.jpg)