A level in computing

[Guest55]

Has he tried 'scratch' (https://scratch.mit.edu/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) - it's often taught at primary now it's part of the NC. It's simple enough to teach yourself.

https://www.python.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's so much free online and finding something himself will be good for his personal statement when the time comes.

[SteveDH]

He could always try teaching himself c# and use it to write a game in unity3d and then self publish.. might look impressive on the ps to say that some code you've written is published...

admittedly I have no idea what uni's look for in this area these days..

[KB]

The DC here has quite a way to go before UCAS so the exact nature of what he does is less important than doing something that shows initiative and passion for the subject outside the curriculum so I'm sure Steve and G55 are both correct.
He will of course need the maths skills but its also important to demonstrate an enquiring mind.

[KenR]

On balance for those students interested in self taught programming I would probably go for Java - it is well like by Universities (being open source) and there are lots of free resources on the Oracle web site:-

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/index.html

or other free resources:-

https://www.udemy.com/java-tutorial/?si ... GqSdLGGurk

C# is OK and there are lots of free resources from Microsoft, however this is limited to use on Microsoft .Net platforms (and lots of academics aren't keen on Microsoft - as it's not open source and platform agnostic)

[Guest55]

KenR - the message unis are giving at recent Open Days I've attended is to learn Python as that leads to C+.

[SteveDH]

Actually if your going to do C++ at university then avoid c# like the plague as c# is similar enough to c++ the the subtle differences will really get you.

I had to go the other way from C++ to C# and I think the things that got me most was references and classes and structures.. and new..

anyway

[KenR]

Actually the main issue these days is not about what language or learning the structure or syntax, it's about the lack of training on programming design techniques.

Most Computer Science or Computing graduates may know the language syntax but they haven't a clue about program design and coding best practice. I'm afraid I see this all the time. Part of the problem being that modern object oriented techniques encourage students to reuse existing badly designed components.