BSc (Hons) Games Programming full time

Bachelor's degree

In Bolton

£ 9,250 VAT inc.

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Duration

    3 Years

The global games industry continues to grow. Worth over $137 billion in 2018, this value is predicted to rise to over $180 billion by the end of 2021*. Games offers lucrative careers at the cutting-edge of technology and talented games programmers are always in demand in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Offering a broad education in games programming, design, development and technology, our Games Programming degree emphasises the technical aspects of game production. We aim for you to become a skilled programmer and you’ll use C++, the principal programming language in the games industry, at each stage of the course. We assume no prior knowledge of programming but a good knowledge of mathematics, especially algebra, will help you succeed on the course. We’ll guide and support you throughout your studies to help you master object orientated programming and design techniques and learn about advanced programming data structures and algorithms for game development.

Games and interactive applications are becoming more cinematic in look and feel so we teach maths and physics in a very practical way to help you learn to create 2D and 3D environments where behaviour and movement looks realistic. You’ll also have opportunities to gain experience of multi-platform programming and artificial intelligence techniques used in the development of efficient and robust games.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

On request

About this course

A Games Programming graduate will be able to demonstrate the programming skills required to work on games and entertainment software. The technical skills you’ll develop include the ability to develop interactive software including graphics and sound, an understanding of programming language, including the use of artificial intelligence techniques, and multi-user and multi-processor programming.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?
The computer games industry has grown dramatically in recent years and there’s now a demand for highly technical programmers with a good knowledge of mathematics, physics, artificial intelligence and code optimisation. Games programming graduates can pursue careers as games programmers, artificial intelligence programmers, graphics programmers, 3D modellers and web systems developers, across a range of sectors in the games industry such as mobile and social media games.

Many programmers start in junior programming positions. As you develop your programming skills, you can choose a specific area of video game programming to specialise in. Each aspect of a video game requires a detailed set of code, so a programmer may work on audio, physics, artificial intelligence, graphics, or any other single area required to make a video game function. Once programmers become more experienced, they may consider pursuing a lead programmer position, which involves leadership and management duties in addition to programming.

Alternative Career Options
Software development
Systems analysis
Computer and information systems management

Your Level 3 subjects must include at least one relevant subject; for instance, A-level Mathematics, Computing or Physics or BTEC Extended Diploma in Computing or Engineering.

You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including Mathematics.

If you don’t meet the standard entry requirements but have a technical computing background, we’ll be happy to consider your application. You’ll need to attain a minimum mark from a diagnostic mathematics test and attend an interview.

Teaching staff on the games courses have a vast range of industry experience and an extensive network of contacts in the games industry.
The course covers both 2D and 3D game environments and game engines for traditional gaming (PC and console), mobile gaming (cloud, social and casual) and virtual reality gaming, along with game play analysis and hardware specification.
We organise studio visits and field trips to games development companies, and will encourage and support you to undertake work experience and industrial placements.
We design the course assignments and projects so that they mimic industry pipelines and standards to give you a real feel for a career in the games sector.
Our dedicated games labs feature high-specification hardware and industry-standard software.

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Programming
  • IT Development
  • Mathematics
  • GCSE Physics
  • GCSE Mathematics
  • Industry
  • 3d training
  • 3D
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Full Time
  • Design
  • Maths
  • Technology

Course programme

Modules

Modules listed below are a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules as part of the course.
  • Introduction to Games Programming and Analysis
  • Introduction to Games Design
  • Object Orientated Games Programming
  • Level Design
  • Data structures and Software Engineering for Games
  • Games Hardware Development
  • Game Dynamics
  • Portfolio
  • Advanced Games Programming
  • Group Portfolio Project
  • Major Project
Teaching, Learning And Assessment

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. The core concepts and theoretical aspects of programming, maths and physics are introduced and developed through lectures, seminars, tutorials and critiques, as well as online sessions and support. These types of sessions also offer insights into the business and financial sides of the games industry.

Helping you learn how to apply this knowledge to practical games programming problems, design projects and in the development, analysis and testing of game elements is an important focus of our tuition. We support and guide you through technical introduction and support classes, laboratory and workshop sessions, demonstrations and activity-based assignments.

Practical activities and projects also offer opportunities for you to develop softer skills such as team working, problem solving, organisation and communication that are highly valued in the games and interactive entertainment industry. Guided independent study and self-directed learning are also essential to your success; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for practical activities and working on projects.

In terms of formal assessment, you can expect assignments, projects, in-class tests, examinations, presentations, and others. These contribute to your final module mark and allow you to demonstrate that you’ve met the learning outcomes. We also use other forms of assessment to help you learn, provide you with feedback and inform your development, though these don’t count towards your final module mark.

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up to date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

Additional information

International Fees - £12,450

BSc (Hons) Games Programming full time

£ 9,250 VAT inc.