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Computer Games Programming and Design with Placement at Southampton, Solent University - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Southampton, Solent University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

18Jan
Southampton Solent University - Undergraduate Open Day (On-Campus)
Undergraduate
1Mar
Southampton Solent University & Warsash Maritime School - Careers at Sea Open Day (On-Campus)
Undergraduate
15Mar
Southampton Solent University - Applicant Experience Day (On-Campus)
Undergraduate

Course summary

The BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming and Design is a creative Computer Games course with an emphasis on technical expertise (programming) as well as the game design skills required by programmers to write their own video games. WHO IS THE COURSE FOR? This course has three main pillars: • Programming Skills • Game Design Skills • Studio Skills For the first one, you will be writing code for video game prototypes, demos and digital products using established game engines as well as graphics libraries. For the second one, you will also study design skills such as level design, narrative or user experience. For the third one, you will experience collaborative learning through our in-house simulated studio environments that replicate the games industry. While the Studio Skills learning pillar is critical for either discipline (Programming or Games Design), you are also able through multiple optional modules across the course to tailor your learning experience towards being more "Programming" or "Game Design" focused, giving more depth and customization of the course experience. On top of that, further customization may be offered in the ways certain modules are assessed. While they may appear as a "Core" module, some may offer multiple "assessment streams" within the same assessment briefs, allowing you to hit the learning outcomes in multiple ways, depending on your own preferences. WHAT DOES THIS COURSE LEAD TO? Graduates will be able to seek employment in Computer Games through various pathways, always depending on their tailored course experience, picked modules and assessment preferences. For those with more "Programming" focused experience, these are the possible jobs: • Gameplay Programmers • AI Programmers • User Interface Programmers • Physics Programmers • Graphics Programmers • Animation Programmers • Network Programmers • Engine/Tools Programmers • Unity / Unreal Engine Developers Some of the programming skills are also transferrable in careers beyond Games Programming: • Software Engineers • Information Systems Professionals • Web Developers • Computer Scientists • Mobile Developers • XR/AR/VR Developers While for those with more "Game Design" experience, here are the possible jobs: • Level Designers • User Experience Designers • Games User Researchers (GUR Experts) • UI Designers • Narrative Designers • Game Writers • Gameplay Designers Regardless of the course experience, students who favor either discipline will enjoy potential future careers: • Indie Game Developers • Producers • Technical Trainers • Teaching Professionals / Academics • Researchers

Modules

YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES Collaborative Game Development Gameplay and Game Design Maths for Games Object Oriented Development Programming Fundamentals Scripting for Game Engines YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES Artificial Intelligence for Games Gameplay Programming Gamer Psychology and UX Design Producing Games YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES Computer Games Major Project Indie Game Development Project Research and Professional Development Studio Practice YEAR 2 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run) Cinematic and Narrative Design for Games Level Design and Rapid Prototyping Network Game Programming Tools Programming and Engine Architecture PLACEMENT Computer Games Placement YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run) Casual and Competitive Game Design Graphics Programming

Assessment method

The course adopts a balanced, student-centred teaching and learning strategy programme of study combining critical thinking and practical skills. Students are encouraged throughout the course to develop their own thinking and creative skills across a range of topics and scenarios as they work towards their degree. Delivered through lectures, labs, seminars, and workshops, learning and teaching is structured to allow a logical, coherent and progressive attainment of knowledge and skills. Lab based teaching enables students, guided by tutors, to develop key concepts and skills to tackle briefs that increase in complexity each year. During lab sessions, students have frequent one-to-one opportunities to interact with tutors and fellow students, and consequently lab sessions are used as an effective tool to develop the sense of community and belonging. As project work is used extensively throughout the Computer Games courses, lab teaching provides the ideal environment for students to explore, develop and formulate responses and present solutions in relation to module learning outcomes and project briefs. Students are expected to engage proactively with their learning. This includes taking responsibility to attend all timetabled sessions and understand that attendance and full participation in the course will impact upon their ability progress and achieve. Level 4 introduces students to fundamental concepts in game design and programming skills, underpinning the knowledge and skills needed to study in this field. Students will also be introduced to essential skills including research, academic writing and referencing, both creative and critical thinking and use of relevant software as well as a first touch with cross-course collaborative modules (studio modules) to improve their team-work skills. Whilst students are encouraged to embrace the challenge of studying at higher education, approaches to teaching and learning at Level Four are designed to provide students with ample opportunities for formative feedback and support such that by the end of this level students become confident learners ready for progression. Level 5 extends the knowledge and skills base to a higher order of intellectual thinking, analysis and synthesis. Level 5 students explore progressive concepts, subjects and, as a consequence, knowledge and understanding in greater depth and breadth. Students have the opportunity at level 5 to explore advanced theories in computer game design as well as software development principles, and gain sophisticated asset development techniques and visualisation skills that can be applied to larger projects and wider contexts. Furthermore, students acquire more in-depth team-based development soft skills that are essentially for projects of much larger scope. On successful completion of Level Five students will have acquired practical, cognitive and transferrable skills manifested in the application of knowledge to complex scenarios and deployed through critical judgement and increased levels of confidence and self-assurance.

How to apply

31Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
CGP2
Institution code:
S30
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

• Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6) We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. • Level 5 (year 2) entry To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area. • Level 6 (year 3) entry To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6with 5.5 in each individual component.
TOEFL (iBT)80with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent.

Solent University can also accept the following English Language Test: Duolingo English Language Test 115 overall with a minimum of 95 in each component. All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office. We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
80%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £16125 Year 1
International £16125 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries

Computer Games Programming and Design with Placement at Southampton, Solent University - UCAS