The Department for Education says the change is intended to reflect the "importance of computer science to both education and the economy".

BBC: Computer science part of English Baccalaureate

Other students are turning toward computer science because of a change in social mores: A backlash against Wall Street bailouts means careers in the financial sector may now carry a negative stigma, said Adam Cannon, associate chair for undergraduate education in Columbia's department of computer science.

WSJ: Students Shift to Computer Science

Professor Charles Hoare, Fellow of the Royal Society, has been awarded a knighthood for services to education and computer science, while Professor Martin Harris, CBE, Vice-chancellor of Manchester University, has received a knighthood for his services to higher education.

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And Adam McNichol - one of the few teaching this subject who has a computer science degree - told us the whole education system needed to change, so that the value of the subject was recognised.

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This may provide some comfort to parents who have recently sent in deposits and are worrying about the futility of a liberal arts education versus more practical degrees in engineering, computer science or say, nursing.

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Microsoft's education director Steve Beswick welcomed the announcement as the "start of a journey" in changing how computer science is taught.

BBC: Computer science part of English Baccalaureate