Games Technology MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Coventry University’s Games Technology degree is a highly-focused software engineering course with a long history of training specialist programmers and developers for the video games industry world-wide.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

G454 / G455

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

The course doesn’t only teach you how to use game engines – it teaches you the programming and scientific skills necessary to extend commercial engines and develop your own from scratch.

These are the skills industry looks for in game programmers.

  • Master advanced techniques to leverage and extend industry-standard engines in the creation of immersive, interactive experiences.
  • Understand the engineering and technology which underpins digital artwork and real-time rendered animations.
  • Develop your own game engine systems, from graphics renderers to physics libraries, using high-performance programming techniques.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

  • The technology, practices and challenges involved in game development are continually evolving, therefore the course content reacts dynamically to reflect the complexities of this modern and increasingly interconnected sector.
  • The course aims to empower you with the fundamental capabilities needed to pursue independent game development, as well as giving you the opportunity to gain professional tools and wider contextual understanding of game engineering upon successful completion, to succeed in larger studios.
  • Develop your own games and game technologies in our dedicated Game Development Laboratories4.
  • Explore emerging technologies with virtual and augmented reality hardware.
  • Gain experience with console and cross-platform development.

What you'll study

In the first year, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of game development.

You’ll learn to program in two languages, explore the mathematical principles which underpin good programming, and become familiar with two popular commercial engines. In addition, you’ll explore game design and computer system architecture, to give you a solid grounding in all areas of games programming.

Modules

In your second year you’ll learn about computer graphics, real-time physics, and artificial intelligence. In addition, you’ll become familiar with the fundamentals of professional software engineering and the creation and optimisation of game assets.

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

At this stage in your studies, you understand the fundamentals of game engineering and the technology which goes into game engines. Much of the academic focus this year is on advanced applications – be that addressing security vulnerabilities in an online game or improving a team’s performance by developing useful software tools which improve productivity. Success in this year ensures you graduate as a well-rounded, highly skilled game developer suited to a majority of technical and programming roles.

Modules

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option, which will deepen your knowledge and expertise.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

A portion of your contact time will be dedicated to course support sessions. The course support sessions are weekly, timetabled sessions where you can explore areas of the course which you may find challenging or get support with personal projects and employability efforts.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Computer game development is considered an international business. Most of the technical subjects you could learn are applicable worldwide and, where they exist, significant regional or country-specific differences are highlighted. For example, the emphasis for different colours in different cultures, such as white being associated with death in Japan.

If you have a desire to travel it is possible to study abroad for a year at universities around the world2. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects means you may also have the opportunity to work on projects with students in universities which have previously included Brazil and Indonesia2.

Many of the field trips and industry visits we offer take place abroad2. In the past, for example, students have visited Indonesia where students participated in an international games jam, visited local game companies and an exciting cultural program.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points BSc (Hons): 120
MSci: 128
A level BSc (Hons): BBB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
MSci: ABB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE BSc (Hons)/ MSci: 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC BSc (Hons): DMM in IT or a technical subject
MSci: DDM in IT or a technical subject
IB Diploma BSc (Hons): 29 points to include either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
MSci: 31 points to include either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
Access to HE BSc (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
MSci: The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits all at merit or above in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Computing will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is based in the Engineering and Computing Building, and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building.

Both buildings are high-specification learning environments which benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses4.

  • The Game Lab
    High-specification PC lab where the majority of your lectures and laboratories will be delivered. Additionally, you can access these machines outside of class to pursue development projects.
  • The High-Performance Lab
    HPC developer-spec’d machines to encourage students to explore more advanced and demanding software engineering challenges.
  • Motion-Capture Studio
    A bespoke facility complete with green-screen, control room and lighting rig, empowering students to explore advanced human-computer interaction and simulation technologies.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the underlying technology, design methods and programming languages required to practice as an IT professional.
  • Appreciate the cultural, commercial, ethical, and professional issues connected with the IT industry and professional practice within it.
  • Demonstrate awareness of emergent technologies and techniques in the wider computing domain, such as VR implementation techniques, pervasive computing, designing software to be engaging and usable as well as cutting edge graphics programming.
  • Apply appropriate problem-solving techniques and design protocols to computing requirements or issues.
  • Research the concept, design, and development of a product in the computing domain, providing relevant and useful conclusions in the evaluation of the implementation.

The course sends graduates into the games industry and related sectors every year, and where possible invites students back to give guest talks or participate in extracurricular activities.

In recent years, graduates from companies like Rare and Criterion Games have returned to support our Game Jam events.

As well as careers in the games industry, the course equips students with the technical skills needed to excel as high-performance software developers in many collaborative or independent development environments.

Where our graduates work

  • Unity Technologies
  • Criterion Games
  • Codemasters
  • Rare Ltd
  • Free Radical Design Ltd
  • Flix Interactive
  • Digital Media Technologies
  • Bosch
  • Tesco PLC
  • Totem Learning Ltd

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
BSc: EECU138
MSci: EECU177

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

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