Progression Routes
University Course Options
Computer Science(Games) from University of Greenwich:
Overview:
This is a computer science degree with a specialism in games, that provides the skills you need for a variety of games-related careers and careers in computing.
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How this relates to me:
I'm interested in this, because I like to do coding and learning about different programming languages
Specialisms:
This course specializes is programming for games and how to use game engines.
Entry requirements:
For entry in September, you will require:
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112 UCAS points from A-Levels (we also accept UCAS points from alternative Level 3 qualifications including: BTEC Nationals, the International Baccalaureate and Scottish and Irish Highers)
AND YOU WILL ALSO REQUIRE:
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GCSE English (Language or Literature) AND GCSE Maths at grade 4/C or above. We also consider equivalent qualifications in English and Maths at Level 2, in place of GCSEs.
Portfolio:
Portfolio was not specified but might be required
Addional infomation:
No additional requirements that are necessary​
BSc Computer Science From Univerity of Essex
Overview:
Our BSc Computer Science course is the most flexible of our courses in computing, allowing you to choose from a wide choice of optional modules and to specialise in areas as diverse as assistive technologies, computer games, artificial intelligence, evolutionary computation, Big Data and robotics. If you have a good ability to think in a computational way, you'll be perfect for our course.
How this relates to me:
I'm interested because I like to do coding and learning about different programming languages, and I have worked with a humanoid robot called Pepper.
Specialisms:
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Algorithm analysis and basic computability
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Software engineering
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Java language principles and application programming interfaces
Entry requirements:
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GCSE: Mathematics C/4
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A-levels: BBB
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BTEC: DDM, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
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Access to HE Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above
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IB: 30 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555, including Standard Level Mathematics/Maths Studies grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level.
(We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Please note that Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.)
Portfolio:
Portfolio was not specified but might be required
Addional infomation:
No additional requirements that are necessary​
Application materials needed:
For Universities
UCAS - Make sure you sign up on UCAS, you will need to add your personal details, create a personal statement, detail qualifications and check information on student finance which can help you with getting a University Degree.
Portfolio is your evidence that you need to showcase your work and your potential.
For Jobs
CV - Your CV should include your name, your address, a Personal profile about yourself with your qualities and strengths, Key skills, Grades you have achieved, education and employment.
Cover letter is a document that you have with your CV. it acts like a personal introduction To your CV, a preview.
This shows that you are professional and that you do not cut corners.
Cost and requirement of higher education
BSc Computer Science From Univerity of essex
Home/UK fee
£9,250
International fee
£19,670
Additional fees
not specified but it might change when I go into the course
Computer Science(Games) from University of Greenwich:
fee:
Honours degrees
£9,250
Pro-rata full-time fee
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HNDs, HNCs and Foundation degrees
£6,165
Pro-rata full-time fee
Additional fees
Not specified but this information might change when I go into the course.
Research into alterative routes
Mentorships
The guidance provided by a mentor, especially an experienced person in a company or educational institution.
Pros
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Fast spread of knowledge
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Increase in experience
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Mentoring may facilitate the onboarding of new employees
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Confidence levels may increase
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Mentorships can be important in crisis times
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Bad decisions may be avoided
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Employee satisfaction may improve
Cons
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Some mentors may not be skilled to guide other people.
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Your mentor might be unprofessional or quite bad.
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Fake gurus are a problem.
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Mentoring is not a magic pill which will improve your skills overnight.
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You learn most by making your own decisions.
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You may soon become better than your mentor.
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High level of dependence.
Online courses
Online courses are revolutionizing formal education, and have opened a new genre of outreach on cultural and scientific topics. These courses deliver a series of lessons to a web browser or mobile device, to be conveniently accessed anytime, anyplace.
Pros
Time efficient way of learning new skills
A cost-efficient way of learning new skills:
Globally Accessible
Wide Variety of Options
Cons
Lack of peer interaction
High Distractions on the Internet
Need to be Self-Disciplined
Lack of Hands-On Learning
Internships
The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.
Employers may ask for a particular GPA, year in school, particular discipline, ability to speak other languages, and other key requirements for the intern position
Film Producer Internship - non payed internship
Famegate Studios - London
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Freelance Videographer - payed internship
Synkd - London
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Strategic Cyber Intern Programme - 12 Week Summer Internship
- payed internship £4,800 an month
UK Government - National Crime Agency
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What is an online course? – IDEA
11 Pros and Cons of Online Classes - Honest Pros and Cons (honestproscons.com)
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Old Employability Materials and current Employability Materials.
I did not have a CV, covering letter or digital portfolio. I did not have any employability materials that I would be able to take into an employer, but I was building my knowledge and skills which I am able to add onto a CV. Since starting this course I have now created a CV and have a good understanding of what a covering letter is. I have also made a start on my digital portfolio which I know I will be maintaining and improving as time goes on and my work develops. Both my CV and my current digital portfolio can be found in task 2.
Critical Evaluation
How ready am I to apply for progression either into employment, university or other forms of training.
I have a few items of employment materials such as a CV and digital portfolio, but I am a little uncertain on what direction I will be progressing onto.
What can I do to improve my readiness for those next steps either into employment, university or other forms of training.
Trying different jobs, and finding the one I enjoy the most as I want try different jobs. Take on work experience and complete home learning / research to expand on my knowledge on various programmes. As well as building a portfolio of work to showcase to employers.
My Skills in comparison to expectations.
I have qualifications and experience in
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The expectations for universities are
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The expectations for employment
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The skills I would need to increase my opportunities
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Comparison with Uni and Jobs
University
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Here are some general requirements you need in Universities:
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Subject qualification
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Relevant skills you have learned
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Relevant work experience
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Show any societies/clubs you are in (and detail any skills gained which are relevant)
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Show why you want to apply to university ( show your ambitions and interests!)
Employment
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Here are the general requirements you need that employers are looking for:
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Work experience - types and amounts (years) of work experience
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Skills (soft skills and/or technical skills)
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Specific knowledge
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Education level and type
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Professional licenses, accreditations and certifications
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Personal qualities and attributes
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Languages
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Physical abilities.
Employability materials
CVs have all relevant information that can help in employment/University gather the information they need to decide it they want to employ you or take you on at their University.
My CV
Digital portfolio is like a CV but specifically for your work, it is visual and is on a computer, disc, USB format. This is a way of demonstrating your skills, knowledge and ideas by showing what you have achieved practically.
My DP
Physical portfolio is binder of all your work that you have made without the need of a computer.
This is for my physical work which I don't currently have at present.
Digital presence is how frequently your website or other on-line channels is searched up or visited by other users. What on-line avenues do you have, Youtube, tik-tok, intergram, snapchat or professional presence there is linkedin.
Ideas for Digital presence
Cover letter is a document that you have with your CVs it acts like a personal introduction to your CV.
References
References are professional bodies or individuals that would be happy to vouch for you and your work. References can range from teachers at school, college or University to current and previous employers, this is called a professional reference. You can also obtain a personal reference, this is someone that has known you for many years and can vouch for you and your work, this person should not be a member of your family.
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How to create a digital portfolio | Canva
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How to Create a Design Portfolio — Points of Measure
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What Is Digital Presence for Business? | webSURGE Digital Marketing
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Cover letters | Prospects.ac.uk
Analyse Jobs from other countries
UK
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As a Software Developer you will join a collaborative team working on projects within Graph Data, Machine Learning and further areas of Big Data and AI. You will be given the autonomy to explore data in its complexity and develop your skillset through working with industry / academic experts.
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A competitive starting salary
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Opportunity to work with industry leaders in Computer Science, AI, Big Data
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Autonomy to explore data and generate solutions to problems
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A supportive working environment focused on continuous learning and development
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USA
www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Software%20Developer&vjk=ab2301e7d22b2379
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Applied NLP team at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Informatics and Computing Infrastructure research center seeks a skilled self-directed Software Developer who will enjoy working in our dynamic, fast-paced collaborative research team.
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Producing and maintaining high quality software applications for clinical natural language processing.
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Maintaining coding, and documenting computer software for data analysis and management.
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Providing technical assistance in collaboration with federal, state, and local partners and non-government stakeholders.
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Manage existing applications, bug fixing, enhancement and interacting with users to resolve problems
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Analyzing existing software implementations to identify areas of improvement and provide deadline estimates for implementing new features
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Recommending software upgrades to optimize operational efficiency
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Collaborating with other developers to design and optimize code
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AUS
www.seek.com.au/job/50917298?type=promoted#searchRequestToken=b746a35a-c3ce-459d-a683-5c2284342f5a
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Working with the IT Team in our Sydney Office, we are looking for a permanent team member to be responsible for the maintenance of existing web applications and the development of new and improved applications and features to meet business requirements based on Aramex’s strategic IT plan.
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You will be working with a team of software developers located in various parts of Australia and New Zealand.
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We are looking for a self-motivated, organised and enthusiastic individual who takes pride in their work.
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Opportunities will exist over time to learn new technologies and plenty of support and training will be provided in-house for the successful candidate.
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Proven web application software developer experience using - C# .Net including MVC & Entity Framework, SQL Server (T-SQL), JavaScript, jQuery, CSS & HTML5
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All of this text was taken from the websites I used, on the links here are images of these sites rather than adding the link I have taken a print screen as they will expire and will disappear.
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United Kingdom Job
United States job
Australia job
Example CV's
Chronological CV example
Presented in reverse chronological order, this type of CV is one of the most common and is sometimes referred to as a traditional CV and this is the CV i have made.
Skills-based CV example
Also known as functional CVs, skills-based CVs are great for job seekers with limited experience. Discover how to present your skills to the best of their ability
Teaching CV example
Stand out to teaching recruiters by crafting a tailored CV, demonstrating your skills, experience and suitability for the job
Radar chart
Main section of Cv examples
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs
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Chronologicical link
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs/chronological-cv-example
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Skills based link
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs/skills-based-cv-example
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Teaching link
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/cvs-and-cover-letters/example-cvs/teaching-cv-example
Hard skills
Materials and opportunities which could improve my success.
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Interview Techniques -
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Speaking to groups -
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Teamwork -
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Support Groups -
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Being helpful to others
being a good sport
not rushing anything
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supporting peoples ideas about the project
speaking the truth in interviews, confidence, and ensuring I am dressed suited for the role I'm interviewing for.