Ione-Skye chose to combine Mathematics and Computer Science to give her a good chance in the job market…

Name: Ione-Skye McLean
Course: MMath Computer Science  and Mathematics
Institution: University of York

‘I’ve always been interested in computers, though I hadn’t thought about studying them, and had concentrated on Maths and Physics. However, when it came to degree choices, I thought computer science was something that I could really enjoy. Coupled with my grounding in maths, it seemed only logical to do a joint course, knowing I could challenge myself with both subjects.

The course at York is structured in such a way that you can essentially personalise your degree. This is perfect if you want to specialise later on, but it also allows some flexibility to keep a broad range of modules. York itself was a deciding factor for me, as a campus university. Being so close to the city, especially such a beautiful one, is great, as it’s easy to go into town and have a break.

The department is open 24/7 for students, and there is also remote access to the workstations, so you can even work from the comfort of your room. I really enjoy the programming elements of the course, as they present a real challenge and allow me to bring all aspects of the course together in solving whatever problem I’ve been given.

My course includes an industrial placement, which I think is a must in this economic climate. The experience gained will not only improve my chances of a job later, but it will also enable me to practise what I’ve learnt in the real world. I hope it will help me to become a better computer scientist.’