Sixty per cent of students studying subjects other than computer science say they would not enter the IT profession because they think it will be boring.

And less than 10 per cent of respondents to the survey by Crac, the career development organisation, in association with the BCS, said that their school had effectively communicated the benefits of a computing degree.

But the vast majority of the 200 students taking part believe that the industry could offer bright career prospects and high salaries.

Early encouragement is needed in order to find new entrants who can fill the skills gaps, said Mike Rodd, director of BCS Learned Society.

“We need to encourage more students to study computer science and computer related studies at universities in order to ensure that the IT industry can meet the demand for workers in the future," he said.

"Studying a computing or ICT A-level at school also has a surprisingly big impact on whether a student ultimately goes into an IT career, irrespective of their degree."