Computer Science and Mathematics
Computer science and mathematics is a pairing of two disciplines that are more deeply intertwined than their different reputations might suggest. Computer science has mathematical foundations in logic, discrete mathematics, algorithms, and probability that determine what computation can and cannot achieve, while mathematics increasingly relies on computational tools for exploration, visualisation, and proof. Studying both together develops graduates who understand each discipline more profoundly than they would as specialists in only one, and who can bring quantitative rigour and algorithmic thinking to problems that neither discipline alone would fully address.
At the University of Durham, this three-year programme develops your knowledge of both disciplines to a high level. In the computer science strand, you will study algorithms, data structures, programming paradigms, software engineering, computer architecture, and the theoretical foundations that underlie all of computing. In the mathematics strand, you will engage with calculus, algebra, analysis, probability, and statistics, developing the formal reasoning skills that mathematical training demands.
The programme includes a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience and an international perspective that significantly enhance your employability. Durham is a leading research university, and the computer science and mathematics departments both benefit from strong research activity that informs the teaching throughout the degree.
Graduates from this programme are in strong demand across technology, finance, and research. Software engineering, machine learning, data science, and cryptography are natural technical destinations. The financial sector, particularly in quantitative research and trading, values the combination of mathematical depth and computing skill.
Research careers in theoretical computer science, applied mathematics, or computational science draw those who continue to postgraduate study. The sandwich year frequently leads directly to graduate employment, and the degree's combination of analytical and technical skills is highly valued by employers in technology-intensive industries.