Computer Science (Games Development), BSc (Hons), with industry placement

Course summary

Create your own apps, games, virtual and mixed reality solutions to build your profile as a versatile developer. This course challenges you to innovate in the games sector while applying your highly transferable skills using game technologies to solve real-world problems. Work individually and as part of a team, establishing your portfolio and career trajectory.

• Build your profile as a versatile developer Attract industry attention with an extensive portfolio of tech demos and indie game releases. Explore and reflect your interests and skillset through deep-dive solo projects. Collaborate in team projects to develop bigger games and more expansive systems.

• Prepare yourself for the real-world work requirements in the industry Learn the skills and experience the full development cycle from initial concept through design process and implementation to final project delivery and product release.

• Dive into game dev and get involved Join our active games and developer community, participate and compete in exhibitions and national events such as EGX, Develop, the Tranzfuser and the Global Game Jam. Meet like-minded people, present your ideas and build fun games.

• Gain professional accreditation Get a degree that's accredited by, and entitles membership of, British Computer Society, BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

In Year 1 you take part in core software development topics that underpin game development: programming, data structures and algorithms, security, and databases to build a highly transferable skills base. You will apply this fundamental knowledge to game development, solving gameplay problems and creating experiences with modern game engines. In Year 2, core game programming skills are refined and then expanded upon with artificial intelligence. You learn about novel interface prototyping, game engine technologies, and player communication techniques. Establish your working processes, improve your coding, build exciting prototypes that showcase your passion for games. Knowledge gained in earlier stages of the computing programmes is consolidated and integrated into a substantial project. Students work in teams, champion professional roles, using game technologies to design and develop a solution for a given scenario. Take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in related sectors, from small studios to multinationals, based in the UK or overseas and undertake a placement year. In your final year you'll build a team and start a company – we have a track record in supporting student enterprise and generating start-ups. We have a strong developer community with regular game jams, hackathons, career fairs and developer conferences. Focus on your career path, selecting options to enable you to achieve a substantial individual project leading to a position or role in your chosen sector. A substantial individual project showcases your game development skill as you focus on topics such as industry engagement and graphics programming.