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The British Computer Society (BCS) has revealed a modest increase in the number of applications for computer science undergraduate courses this year.

The news comes as a bumper number of students gained A-C grades at A-level this week.

But the BCS highlighted the fact that, despite the modest increase in IT-related university applications, the UK is still expected to have an estimated 40% drop in graduates from IT-related courses in 2009 compared to its peak in 2004.

Dr Mike Rodd, BCS director of learned society and external relations said: "A-levels and A-level choices are often portrayed as the make-or-break time for teenagers in terms of their career choices.

"However, for those A-level students and other young people who do not have a clue what they want to do but who have an interest and ability with computers and computing,

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they will be surprised to discover the breadth and range of exciting roles that can make use of their talents."

A-level students and other young people who have not set on a career direction are being urged to consider going into IT by the BCS.

The membership organisation for IT professionals also hopes to encourage young people - and young women in particular - who have not taken the traditional route of science-based A-levels and university, to investigate the variety of ways into the industry.

The BCS said there are a variety of routes into an IT career including part-time courses, work placements, or studying an IT-related subject at university.

It cited IBM consultant and chair of the BCS Young Professional Group (YPG) Jennifer Hewitt, aged 26, as a good example of somebody who took a non-traditional route into computing, and who is now enjoying a satisfying career with a blue-chip company.

She said: "When I left school I never imagined that I would be working in IT."

After leaving school at 16, Hewitt became interested by computing while working at Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Later she got a job with Business Link as an information analyst. Having taken several part-time study qualifications, Jennifer was accepted onto an IT-related course at the University of Gloucestershire. And after achieving a first class degree in Information Systems with Computing, she was recruited by IBM.