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Studies & Degrees in Computer Languages

Computer languages, usually called programming languages, are the notations in which software is written. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the work in simple terms: computer programmers write programs in a variety of computer languages, such as C++ and Java, and turn the designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.

Computer languages are rarely a degree in their own right. They are taught as part of computer science, informatics or software development programmes. Students learn one or two languages in depth, and with them the ideas that carry over to any other language: programming paradigms, algorithms and data structures, databases, testing and error fixing. The BLS notes that a computer science degree gives students the skills they need to learn new computer languages easily, and that most programmers specialise in several languages.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. At TU Wien the bachelor's programmes in Informatics, Business Informatics and Computer Engineering last 6 semesters, have 180 ECTS credits and are taught in German. The Informatics programme covers topics such as programming, databases and algorithms. Its selection procedure does not assess programming skills and requires no prior experience with computers.
  • Master's degree. The Master's Programme Software Engineering at TU Wien lasts 4 semesters, has 120 ECTS credits and is taught in English. Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least 120 ECTS credits in mathematics and computer science, including 25 ECTS credits in algorithms, data structures and programming.
  • Professional bachelor's programmes. SUPINFO in France describes its Bachelor of Science as a three-year, career-oriented programme of 1,800 to 2,100 hours. Students start with Python and web development in the first year and move on to object-oriented and mobile programming in the second. Depending on the specialisation, it leads to a level 6 title in the French register of professional qualifications (RNCP), and the school's five-year programme to a level 7 title.
  • Dual and part-time study. The Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) in Germany offers dual and part-time bachelor's and master's programmes in business administration, business informatics and applied informatics, in which students alternate study with work in a company or study alongside a job.
  • Vocational training in Spain. The higher vocational qualification (FP de grado superior) Técnico Superior en Desarrollo de Aplicaciones Multiplataforma lasts 2,000 hours. Its modules include programming, markup languages, databases and development environments. An official Spanish bachelor's degree (grado), for comparison, has 240 ECTS credits.
  • Certificates. According to the BLS, programmers may become certified in specific programming languages or in vendor-specific products, and some companies require this.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists four active schools under computer languages, one in each of four countries: the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in Austria, the Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) in Paderborn, Germany, SUPINFO in France and the University of New York Tirana in Albania, which has a Faculty of Engineering and Architecture and bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

The programming languages are the same everywhere, but the language of the classroom is not. TU Wien teaches its informatics bachelor's programmes in German and the Software Engineering master's in English. SUPINFO presents its programmes in French and has campuses in Caen, Lille, Lyon, Paris and Tours as well as a distance campus. Ask each school which language its courses are taught in, and which programming languages its first-year courses use, before applying.

Careers

Typical roles are computer programmer, software developer, web or mobile application developer and software tester. Spain's vocational training portal TodoFP lists work developing business management applications, general-purpose applications, and entertainment and mobile applications.

The outlook differs by role. In the United States the BLS projects employment of computer programmers to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, while employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is projected to grow 10 percent over the same period. Knowing a language is therefore a starting point: the broader skills of designing, testing and maintaining software are what most employers look for. The BLS says computer programmers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, although some employers hire people with other degrees or with experience in specific languages.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to program before I start a computer science degree?

Not necessarily. TU Wien states that its selection procedure does not assess programming skills and does not require prior experience with computers; it tests problem solving, logical thinking and text comprehension.

Which programming language will I learn first?

It depends on the school. SUPINFO, for example, lists Python programming and web development in the first year of its Bachelor of Science. Ask the school for its current study plan.

How long does it take to qualify as a programmer?

A bachelor's degree at TU Wien takes 6 semesters (180 ECTS credits) and SUPINFO's Bachelor of Science three years. The Spanish higher vocational qualification in multi-platform application development lasts 2,000 hours.

Is a degree required to work as a programmer?

According to the BLS, programmers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, but some employers hire workers with other degrees or with experience in specific programming languages.