This course focuses on the programming of computer games, including: implementation of computer graphics, artificial intelligence, game logic/mechanics, constraints of commercial reality. Working in specialist labs with staff with commercial games development experience, you will develop strong software development expertise alongside creative skills. Computer games developers work as part of a multi-skilled team to produce high quality, innovative and exciting products to tight deadlines. Graduates in this discipline are highly sought after because of their software engineering skills.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

280-320 UCAS tariff points at A2 or BTEC National Diploma DMM-DDM AND 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English.  Acceptable alternatives to GCSE Maths Grade C are Functional Skills Level 2 Maths, Adult Numeracy Level 2 or Key Skills Maths Level 3; acceptable alternatives to GCSE English Grade C are Functional Skills Level 2 English, Adult Literacy Level 2 or Key Skills Communication Level 3.

Course Content

The BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development course will develop your programming abilities from the basics to the full set of skills needed to implement a complex interactive computer game. You will study computer graphics and artificial intelligence as well as game mechanics. You will learn about effective practical software development. You will learn about developing distributed software and software for mobile devices to widen the range of games you can develop. You will participate in a team project, developing and packaging a complete game. An important part of your final year is the individual project. A typical project might be to build your own renderer using DirectX and use it to demonstrate several shader techniques. Alternatively, you might develop an AI program to control groups of game entities, such as armies of soldiers.

A module that will help you plan your career is available as an additional module, closely coordinated with a second year professional skills module.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

Games Concepts (C)
Entertainment Computing (C)
Introduction to Software Development (C) (1/2)
Program Design and Implementation (C) (1/2)
Computing Skills (C)
Computer Technology (C)
Practitioner Skills (C)

Year 2

Computer Graphics (C)
Games Development 1 (C)
Advanced Programming with C++ (C)
Software Development (C)
Mobile Computing (C)
Professional Skills (C)

Year 3

Project (C)
Games Development 2 (C)
Emerging Technologies for Games (C)
Object-Oriented Methods in Computing (C)

Plus one of the following:

Software Engineering Practices (O)
Research Topics in Computing (O)

Links with Professional Bodies:

This course has accreditation leading to MBCS, CITP and partial CEng exemption from the British Computer Society, the computing professional body.

Assessment:

Individual coursework assignments, groupwork, seminar presentations and examinations (either seen or unseen).  There is a practical emphasis with the main contribution to your honours classification coming from coursework rather than exams.

Learning Environment:

We emphasise practical-based learning using purpose-built laboratories, particularly the high performance kit in our Games Laboratory, and the University's general computer rooms. Our laboratories allow you to use specialist software and to do things that would not be allowed on the public network. Where possible, we make software available for use on your own PC. You will use an on-line learning environment to facilitate flexible learning. This environment enhances traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and practical sessions by providing additional, resource-rich, online materials allowing you to continue learning independently.

Careers:

We specialise in educating programmers for the games industry, although developing highly interactive and complex real-time programs is excellent preparation for many careers in computing. Our Computer Games Development graduates are highly skilled Software Engineers. The course also prepares you for other computing careers such as multimedia designer.

Other Opportunities:

We offer a combined honours route allowing you to study Computing as a Minor, Joint or Major subject with a wide range of other subjects. Our common first year allows you to transfer to a variety of specialist courses in the School.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £9,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.