Thomas Humphreys

With the world becoming more digitised by the day, I find computer science to be an indispensable subject area to specialise in.  Nearly every sector offers job opportunities involving the use of computers in some form, so truly understanding the operation and inner workings of devices, is important to improve employability.  Computer science also offers the opportunity to improve your problem-solving skills, as it encourages you to think logically when performing tasks like programming for instance.  As someone who loves puzzles, the chance to stretch my brain makes studying the course at a higher level very appealing to me!

I chose to study at Edge Hill University not only for the beautiful campus and high quality accommodation, but also for the resources and opportunities on offer for students. From the support, books and workstations available at the Catalyst building to the Tech Hub’s CAVE, Edge Hill really invests in providing all of their students with the tools and capabilities to become their best selves.

Edge Hill has given me the chance to improve my teamworking and communication skills through various group work tasks, such as presentations or developing a program as a team.  Being able to work with peers effectively is a very important attribute to have, as team-working is very common in the workplace.  Another skill I have developed during my course is the ability to independently learn.  This skill has been reinforced across the course, from researching different methods to solve mathematical equations numerically to discovering how to create Graphical User Interfaces using the Python programming language.  Since technology is always adapting, being able to learn new skills by yourself is vital in being a good Computer Scientist.  A third skill I have improved during my course, is my time-management skills.  By being capable of staying on top of my workload, I have been able to enjoy more leisure time whilst still completing tasks to a high standard.  The ability to effectively manage your time is a crucial skill, and one which I am happy to have honed.

During my degree, Edge Hill University provided me with the opportunity to take part in an MOS (Microsoft Office Skills) Test in Microsoft Word 365 to become certified in the application.  Earning the highest score in the quickest time during this test would give a competitor the chance to attend and compete in the MOS World Championship Finals in Orlando, Florida.  Using the support provided by the University, I was able score 100% in the test fast enough to rank at number 1 in the UK.  Since then, I was able to travel to Florida to represent both the UK and Ireland as an Edge Hill University student, placing 9^th in the world at the event!  It was an amazing opportunity to be able to network with other students from across the globe, an experience that I’ll never forget!

One of my favourite aspects of my chosen study area, is when a function in a program I’ve been working on runs perfectly without any flaws.  Even when my code does return errors, being able to pinpoint and amend the bugged code will always be satisfying to me!

The best thing about Edge Hill to me, is the high quality of teaching that is provided. Through both the lectures and seminars, you can clearly see the passion that each lecturer has about their subjects.  This passion brings their teaching to life, their interesting and informative lectures reflect this!

During my time outside of lectures, I enjoy taking walks around campus.  In particular, I really like walking around the lake at the centre of the Chancellor’s accommodation area.  It’s a peaceful place to sit and see the wildlife that lives on the campus like the ducks and geese.  It’s definitely one of my favourite locations on site!

Whilst I do not yet know which specific field I want to specialise in, I look forward to seeing which topics interest me the most during the rest of my time at Edge Hill.  Currently, I find I am enjoying the programming modules as they allow me to express my creativity whilst designing new ways to solve problems.

If you are considering studying BSc (Hons) Computer Science or any course related to the subject, I highly recommend giving it a go!  Whether you know what you aspire to be once you leave university or not, Edge Hill provides you with the opportunities to master your skillset and set you apart from other applicants in a highly competitive job market.  Not to mention the fact that the first year is the same for all computer science courses, meaning that you can arrange to swap courses during or after your first year if you decide that you want to specialise in another area of the subject!