Course summary

This degree will prepare you for a career in the dynamic computer game sector. You’ll learn how computer games are built and work, and discover how to solve programming problems related to game development. An optional placement year provides real-world experience in the sector. On this BCS-accredited degree you will develop advanced knowledge of game engine architecture, computer graphics and game design. You will develop a firm foundation in programming and game design & development, before specialising with topics such as games technology and digital signal processing. You will gain the skills needed for a career in the thriving computer games sector, applying your technical computing expertise in a creative and in-demand industry.

Learn a broad range of programming languages and cutting-edge games programming techniques

Get coding quickly in your first year with our two-week coding marathon

Boost your employability with an optional one-year work placement: past students have worked for Sony, PlayStation, Disney, Microsoft and Goldhawk Interactive

Develop commercially valuable knowledge for your future career, including industry-standard game engines that power game development

Study in City’s computing labs, which include the latest hardware and software, such as state-of-art NVidia GPUs

Gain three years of professional experience with our innovative Professional Pathway Scheme, combining paid employment and study

Get industry recognition for the quality of your degree with BSC and TIGA accreditation.

The School has its own dedicated placements team with over 20 years of experience in providing on-hand placement and internship support as well as guidance for students throughout their studies. Placements are highly encouraged at City. Students that complete a placement year benefit from gaining professional experience working on real-life projects and are also more likely to achieve higher grades, secure a graduate-level job and earn a higher salary. In recent years students from our computer science courses have been able to obtain placements at leading companies within their chosen field such as Goldhawk Interactive, Sony, PlayStation, Disney and Microsoft. Careers include working as a key technical specialist in the computer games industry or as a business analyst, web developer, technical architect, user experience designer or helpdesk engineer. Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional and on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer. This course is also accredited by TIGA, a non-profit UK trade association representing the UK’s games industry.

Modules

During your Computer Science with Games Technology BSc degree you will work individually and in groups, developing creativity and problem-solving skills in response to real-world computing problems. Year 1 Study our common first year for all our computer science students, learning six core topics including operating systems, web development and Java. -Introduction to Algorithms (15 Credits) -Mathematics for Computing (15 Credits) -Systems Architecture (15 Credits) -Programming in Java (30 Credits) -Databases (15 Credits) -Operating Systems (15 Credits) -Computer Science, Ethics & Society (15 credits) Year 2 Deepen your knowledge of computer science with core modules such as games technology and object-orientated analysis. Boost your professional skills with a team project. -Data Structures and Algorithms (15 Credits) -Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (15 Credits) -Professional Development in IT (15 Credits) -Team Project (30 Credits) -Games Technology (15 Credits) -Programming in C++ (15 Credits) -Work Based Project (30 Credits) -Continuing Professional Development in IT (15 Credits) -Computer Networks (15 Credits) Year 3 Study advanced games technology and choose from a wide range of elective modules – including computer graphics and introduction to AI – to tailor your course to your future career plans. -Individual Project (45 Credits) -Advanced Games Technology (15 Credits) -Language Processors (15 Credits) -Advanced Databases (15 Credits) -Computer Graphics (15 Credits) -Theory of Computation (15 Credits) -Professional Experience (Placement) Placement Reports (30 Credits) -Data Visualization (15 Credits) -Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming (15 Credits) -Advanced Programming - Concurrency (15 Credits) -Functional Programming (15 Credits) -Cloud Computing (15 Credits) -Information Security Fundamentals (15 Credits) -Computer Vision (15 Credits) -Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 Credits) -Programming and Mathematics for AI (15 Credits) -Agents and Multi Agents Systems (15 Credits) -User Centred Systems (15 Credits) -Semantic Web Technologies and Knowledge Graphs (15 credits) -Project Management (15 credits) Students have the opportunity to follow two placement routes: a one year placement or the Professional Pathway scheme. The one year placement can be undertaken following successful completion of year 2. Students can join the Professional Pathway scheme after successful completion of year 1 (early entry) or after successful completion of year 2 or a one year placement (late entry).

Assessment method

Assessment is by examination and coursework although some components, such as the team project, are assessed by coursework alone. Coursework takes many forms, including programming, essays, theoretical work and modelling. Written examinations contain theoretical questions (including mathematical aspects), short essays on the applications of computational techniques, and writing and analysing small amounts of code. The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2019/20 entry is as follows: Year 1 Written examination: 41% Coursework: 59% Year 2 Written examination: 35% Coursework: 65% Year 3 Written examination: 9% Coursework: 91%

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

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:: G490

Institution code:: C60

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 128 points

A level - ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD

Access to HE Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 31 points

Extended Project

GCSE/National 4/National 5

T Level - D

We do accept applications from students who are completing a combination of qualifications. For this course, this would be something like: D* in IT with a grade B in ‘A’ Level Computer Science and a grade B in another ‘A’ Level. We may also take ‘AS’ Level grades into consideration.

Student Outcomes

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£9250	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9250	Year 1
Scotland	£9250	Year 1
Wales	£9250	Year 1
EU	£20080	Year 1
International	£20080	Year 1
Channel Islands	£20080	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£20080	Year 1

Additional fee information

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

Degree level: Undergraduate

Computer Science with Games Technology (with placement)

Course options

Open days