Work placements will boost computer science employability

A report shows the recruitment process needs to be made easier to attract more students

The National Centre for Universities and Business(NCUB) has revealed that work placement students in the computer science sector are more likely to be employed after leaving university than those who don't complete a placement as part of their studies.

The report, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), surveyed 40 higher education institutions about their job placements and whether they have found it easy to find placements for students.

The findings revealed that just over a quarter (26 per cent) of computing undergraduates took part in a placement related to their studies. The majority of those placements were offered in the third year of study and lasted a year.

However, the report also stated that courses offering a sandwich degree, with students partaking in a year-long placement in the middle of their studies, were unpopular. Those students that did take part often dropped out of their placement because they didn't recognise the benefits or would rather complete their course quicker in order to start working.

Higher education institutions said the main barriers to students being able to find placements was a complicated recruitment processes, while universities thought the administration behind finding and organising placements was an issue, especially when companiesonly take an average of 1.3 students each.

Dr David Docherty, chief executive of the NCUB, said: “This is timely research which seeks to get under the skin of the high levels of unemployment faced by computer science graduates, and the role that placements play to help address this.

"NCUB is committed to build on this research to ensure that 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.”