IT Education: For and Against University

Higher IT Education: Developers' and CTOs' Opinions

Opinions in the IT industry are split on the value of higher education. Students complain about outdated programs, developers get by with self-study, and executives note the difference in mindset between university graduates and creators of online courses. Based on a survey of the author's acquaintances, we break down the key arguments for and against.

Problems with Modern Universities

Bachelor's students in IT programs often encounter outdated content. Professors over 60 teach courses based on 2000s curricula, focusing on Pascal and C/C++. The pace is slow: a month of self-study equals a semester in university.

Vladislav, a first-year student in "Mathematical Software and Information Systems Administration," recommends correspondence or distance learning at an average university to get a diploma with minimal effort. Basic knowledge is available online for free, without wasting years in classrooms.

Benefits of a Basic Education

People with a technical background pick up new tech stacks faster. Victoria, who got her IT education 15 years ago, switches to Python via an online course without prior work experience. Familiar terms and algorithms come back quickly, unlike complete beginners who are surprised by the need for math.

A paid program didn't guarantee top grades, but it laid a solid foundation. This speeds up entry into the profession: the brain adapts to technical thinking, lowering the barrier to self-learning.

Self-Study as the Norm

Companies like Google and Yandex have dropped degree requirements. Middle Flutter Developer Maxim works without a relevant education, solving tasks through searches and targeted courses. Spending four years on outdated languages is a thing of the past.

• Googling solves 80% of everyday tasks.
• Short courses on specific technologies are more effective than long programs.
• No diploma doesn't hinder career growth at the mid-level.

A CTO's View: The Qualifications Gap

Sergey, Chief Technical Officer, emphasizes the difference in approach. Simple tasks—UI, SQL queries—are accessible to everyone. Complex projects reveal gaps: developers with university education think systematically, integrating knowledge from math, physics, or related fields.

In his company, most without degrees handle routine tasks. Key projects go to university grads, who earn 20–30% more. Online courses teach copy-pasting from tutorials, without depth.

Comparison of Approaches:

| Aspect | Higher Education | Online Courses |

|-----------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------|

| Mindset | Systemic, interdisciplinary | Tactical, template-based |

| Complex Tasks | Effective | Requires extra training |

| Salary | +20–30% | Base level |

| Time to Entry | 4–5 years | 3–6 months |

What Matters

• There's no one-size-fits-all path: neither a degree nor courses replace self-study.
• Universities provide a foundation for complex tasks but suffer from outdated content.
• Self-taught devs excel at routine work but are limited in system architecture.
• Companies assign roles based on preparation level.
• A hybrid approach—degree + practice—is optimal for senior positions.

Takeaway: IT demands lifelong learning regardless of your starting point. The initial hurdles of self-education pay off with flexibility and quick adaptation to new stacks.

— Editorial Team