Maths and IT - an overview

• Destinations
• Types of Work
• Salaries
• Contacts and resources
• Case studies

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Following several years of decline, unemployment for IT graduates six months after graduation in 2006 has not changed significantly from the previous year’s figure. The main issue facing the IT sector is the declining number of graduates completing IT degrees, provoking fear of a possible skills shortage.

By contrast, destination statistics for mathematics graduates reveal a fall in unemployment, supporting the idea that employers value the high levels of numeracy these graduates can offer.

» Destinations

Unemployment levels for mathematics graduates fell 1.2 percentage points from 6.6% in 2005 to 5.4% in 2006, and was below the average unemployment figure for all subjects (6.0%). At 46.5%, the level of employment for mathematics graduates was significantly below the average for all subjects (62.9%), but this is due to the relatively large percentage in the further study/training category (24.3%) (see Table 1).

Six months after graduation, 73.4% of IT graduates from the 2006 cohort were in employment (including working and studying). This compares favourably with the average for all subjects of 71.9%. However, IT graduates were less likely to be in further study (as a sole activity) and more likely to be unemployed. Following several years of decrease, unemployment figures for IT rose, albeit only slightly, from 10.3% in 2005 to 10.4% in 2006.

The main concern facing the IT sector is a significant decline in the numbers entering IT-based courses. Only 15,145 students graduated from IT courses in 2006 compared with 15,930 the year before. Indeed, the figures have halved since 2001 (Computing, 14 June 2007). This trend has raised concern about a skills gap opening within the IT sector in the near future, and the British Computer Society reported the possibility of the demand for skilled IT professionals being frustrated by a 25% shortfall of computer science graduates by 2009 (Computer Weekly, 18 January 2007).

The ‘offshoring’ of IT jobs to countries in the developing world is among the main concerns dissuading students from choosing IT courses at university, the perception being that this will make job opportunities harder to come by. However, there is evidence that the IT sector is growing at a relatively fast rate. A recent report by Microsoft showed that the IT industry is growing five to eight times faster than other sectors and needs 150,000 new entrants each year (Computing, 14 June 2007).

It is the mix of jobs that is changing within IT: while jobs for lower-paid professionals such as help-desk and operations staff are migrating, the demand for higher-level jobs such as software engineering and project management, is on the rise in the UK (Computer Weekly, 1 August 2006). This general ‘up-skilling’ is reflected in the salary data for IT which is above the average for all subjects and continues to grow.

It should also be pointed out that many IT directors would rather hire computing graduates and spend money on training them than buying in experienced contractors (Computer Weekly, 13 March 2007).

The IT sector continues to be a growing and potentially lucrative industry, but students must choose the right course if they are to reap the rewards. A recent survey by FDM group revealed that 47% of IT graduates felt that their degree course had not provided them with the latest IT skills (Computer Weekly, 4 January 2007). This emphasises the importance of researching courses thoroughly. Potential undergraduates should also choose courses that equip them with the business skills that employers look for, such as communication and teamwork. Research by sector skills body e-Skills found that 40% of employers consider the level of business and non-technical skills of the IT graduates they recruit to be inadequate (Computer Weekly, 14 June 2007). Completing an industrial placement within a course can also be a distinct advantage.

» Types of Work

An examination of the types of work that graduates went into six months after graduation reveals that in 2006, 43.2% of IT graduates were working as IT professionals. This figure represents an increase for the forth year in succession and provides further evidence of an expanding IT sector.

Mathematics graduates entering employment comprised 37.9% in business and financial positions at a professional or associate professional level. This is a 4 percentage points increase on the year prior.

» Salaries

The average salaries for computer science and mathematics graduates who were in full-time employment in the UK six months following graduation rose in 2006. Salaries for mathematics graduates increased to £20,212 from £19,342 in 2005, whilst the average salary for computer science graduates rose to £19,589 from £18,801 the year before. These were both above the average figure for all subjects, at £18,501.

» Contacts and resources

Websites

Resources on this site

• Your degree in accountancy and finance
• Your degree in computer science/IT
• Your degree in mathematics
• Your degree in multimedia
• Your degree in statistics
• Explore types of jobs - occupations especially relevant to mathematics and IT graduates can be found under education, teaching and lecturing, engineering, and IT, economics, statistics and management services.

General links

• BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT)
• British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
• e-skills UK - The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology
• Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP)
• Learning & Performance Institute (LPI)
• Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS)
• Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications
• National Computing Centre (NCC)
• Royal Statistical Society (RSS)

» Case studies

Friendy - BSc Computer Science. Software engineer/senior developer.

Friendy obtained a degree in computer science and then went on to achieve a masters in business information technology. He is currently responsible for undertaking IT projects and delivering IT solutions to a variety of business sectors.

Friendy says that while he was studying at university, he took every opportunity to gain relevant work experience. He worked for an IT consultancy as a summer trainee and took part in contract work for a variety of companies.

After graduating in 2003, he worked for an IT consultancy company so that he could gain some solid commercial experience in software development. After a few years, he joined his current employer:

“As a new member of staff, I was provided with on-the-job training through a mentoring programme, where you work closely with a member of senior management. I have also been given training to understand the different business processes of our clients.”

Friendy enjoys being able to work on many different projects and technologies. He likes the satisfaction of knowing that many different businesses are using the software he helped develop and are becoming more efficient and profitable because of this.

Friendy is hoping to become a project manager, as he is gaining more experience in software development and handling different types of projects. His advice to other students wanting to get into software engineering is:

'You must be passionate about what you do and be willing to learn as the technologies are constantly moving forward. You must have a 'can do' attitude and be self-motivated, as you will be required to work on your own on some occasions.'

Russell - BSc Mathematics. Actuarial Trainee.

When he left university, Russell had no clear idea what he wanted to do as a career, so he went travelling around Australia and New Zealand. However, on his return, it was decision time. He had always been good with numbers and also liked the idea of interacting with clients. With this in mind, he eventually decided on a career in actuarial consultancy. He knew this would offer a rewarding career where there was always scope for career opportunities. He was also attracted to the idea of studying and working towards achieving a well-respected and valued professional qualification.

Russell applied to several actuarial consultancies, of which his current employer was one. They mainly deal with the provision of actuarial services for occupational pension schemes, giving advice to the scheme trustees or the sponsoring employers. He was attracted to the company because it seemed small enough to value individuals, but sufficiently established and ambitious to offer a variety of career opportunities.

An interview, drinks evening, and an assessment centre later and Russell was offered a job.

At the same time as working in a full-time job, you are also studying for your actuarial exams. This is something that Russell is sure would appear quite daunting, especially when you have only recently finished studying for your finals. However, most companies will offer a flexible and generous study package and designate a study mentor and supervisor to you. As long as he uses his study days wisely, which works out at roughly one day per week, Russell finds that he still has enough free time to have a varied social life.

Without a doubt, a career as an actuary will provide a stimulating and rewarding environment. Russell feels lucky to have a job where he is continually learning and developing. Every day brings new challenges and, as you develop and gain more experience, you naturally take on new responsibilities.