How do computing courses help students tackle real‑world challenges?

At GBS, our undergraduate computing course focuses on real-world applications of computing. You will not just prepare for jobs but learn how to make a meaningful impact across sectors. This blog explores how computing degrees lead to real-world impact and how you can utilise technology to address some of the UK’s most urgent and complex issues. 

What are real-world challenges, and why do they matter to computing students? 

Real-world challenges are not abstract concepts. They are everyday issues that affect people’s lives in tangible ways, especially in the UK, with deep rooted systemic problems across several key sectors. Delays caused by outdated systems in the National Health Service (NHS), financial crime enabled by cyber loopholes or even cities grappling with sustainability and smart infrastructure are not far-off future concerns. They are today’s realities and require immediate attention. These are only some of the reasons why computing education and real-life skills are intertwined. 

Here are just a few UK-specific challenges where computing professionals are already making a difference and where future graduates are urgently required: 

1. Healthcare inefficiencies: With NHS backlogs and rising patient demand, there is a growing need for data analysis and insights to optimise patient pathways, reduce wait times and improve care delivery through digital innovation in healthcare. 
2. Cybersecurity threats: The UK is one of the most targeted countries for cybercrime. There is a high demand for experts trained to understand and tackle urgent security challenges through robust cybersecurity frameworks and systems. 
3. Climate data and sustainability: From monitoring carbon emissions to building smarter transport systems, computing graduates are developing automation and efficiency solutions that reduce energy use and help cities meet net-zero targets. 
4. Social services and digital inclusion: Many vulnerable groups and backward communities in the UK lack access to digital services. Computing students are building platforms that ensure equitable access to information, housing and social support. 
5. Public sector modernisation: Local councils and national government bodies need digital tools for everything from citizen engagement to infrastructure planning. This creates demand for real-world applications of computing that enhance public trust and accountability. 

By addressing these issues through project-based learning in computing, students not only apply technical skills like coding, modelling and simulation but also gain a deeper understanding of how computing can improve lives. 

Key skills computing students develop to solve real-world challenges 

It takes more than theoretical knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the digital space. Therefore, GBS’s modern BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year degree focuses on developing skills that directly align with the diverse needs of industry, government and communities across the UK and beyond. 

Listed below are some of the most important practical computing skills and competencies you will acquire. Find out how they will prepare you for real-world applications of computing: 

1. Digital literacy and career readiness 

From foundation year modules like digital foundations, study strategies, and academic development, you will build the core digital literacy and personal development skills that employers in the UK actively seek. These are especially valuable in digitally underserved sectors such as social care and education, where tech adoption is still evolving. 

2. Coding skills for real-world problems 

You will learn multiple programming languages that power everything from banking systems to mobile health apps. You will also gain hands-on experience with coding skills for real-world problems, from building accessible websites for local councils to developing apps that support small businesses or healthcare services. 

3. Data analysis and insight generation 

Modules such as data science, databases and machine learning will equip you with the skills to draw insights from complex data. These skills are vital for addressing issues like resource allocation in the NHS, crime pattern analysis for local councils or optimising public transport systems. 

4. Cybersecurity and safeguarding digital infrastructure 

You will develop a deep understanding of urgent security challenges, from ransomware attacks targeting schools and hospitals to safeguarding personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). With the UK seeing a sharp rise in cybercrime, you will learn how to build secure systems, spot vulnerabilities and stay ahead of emerging threats. 

5. Designing for people, not just systems 

You will learn user-centred design, taught through people-first design and requirements management, to create systems that work for real people. This can include building apps for elderly users, inclusive job platforms or community-based health monitoring tools. 

6. Collaboration and project-based learning 

You will also work on team-based projects that reflect workplace reality and learn how to deliver the practical solutions needed in the NHS, education, or local government, where collaborative tech deployment is key to success. 

7. Cloud computing and connected systems 

With modules such as cloud technologies and information systems development, you will acquire a wide range of computing skills and be ready to support scalable, integrated digital solutions. This also includes shared health records, smart city systems or digital education platforms for underserved communities. 

The world has become increasingly reliant on digital technologies, meaning computing is no longer a niche skill. The importance of computing courses lies not just in theory but in their power to solve real-world challenges, from protecting NHS systems against cyberattacks to developing apps that serve marginalised communities. GBS’s BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year will equip you with the practical skills, project-based learning and real-life applications you need to succeed in the prevailing competitive UK job market. Explore our computing degree to build a career that makes an impact, not just in tech, but in people’s lives.