Of course IT students drop out early, and will continue to do so until the courses reflect what industry wants (IT Undergraduates have UK's highest dropout rate).

Any keen, talented student who goes on a computing-related course is likely to forget more than he or she learns about computing in the first year - how is that meant to encourage them?

Bringing everyone down to the same standard in year one may help establishments cope, and aid their timetabling, but I firmly believe that the next generation of experts who will lead our industry forward in years to come take one look at current courses, maybe start one, but then walk away and get a real job, earn some cash, and more importantly start learning and developing themselves, on the job.

As for poor image problems (The much smarter way to appreciate IT, Editor’s diary, editor.computing.co.uk), many see computing as a way to earn a good salary nowadays. I don't see why that is a poor image? True, computer science used to be considered an academic geek's thing, but nowadays, I suspect the real talent either leaves university with no degree (when they find out how slow and watered down the entire thing is), or never goes there at all.

Where is industry going to find the next generation of very quick, gifted programmers from? The guys with a sense of urgency, a talent for making things that work? If I were hiring, it wouldn't be the recent graduates list that I'd be scouring, but trying to engage those about to drop out.

Nigel Barker