University of Bedfordshire has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
The creation and production of computer games has grown to become a huge, rapidly evolving industry with a growing need for talented technical and creative. This course’s hands-on approach to games development prepares you for the workplace, turning game ideas into playable demos right from the start. It also allows you to specialise in one of three areas in your second year: games programming; games design; or games graphics. Foundation Year In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years. Facilities and Specialist Equipment
- Specialist animation and graphics labs with VR technology, high-spec computers, and motion-capture and green-screen studios.
- Cutting-edge software, from Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya to Unreal Engine and Blender, means you become familiar with the tools used in industry right from the start.
- Study alongside like-minded people in our vibrant, purpose-built STEM building with modern computing labs, group study hubs and bespoke teaching spaces.
- We are members of Ukie, which offers you benefits such as attending game conferences; applying for internships and mentorships; joining games-related events such as game jams; and receiving portfolio help and advice.
- Share teaching with students from our BSc (Hons) Computer Animation & Visual Effects course and benefit from the exchange of ideas and understanding.
- Learn to tackle complex problems through practical projects designed to meet the needs of players, industry and society.
- From your second year, select one of three areas in which to specialise:
- Benefit from regular practical sessions, studio sessions and, during your final year, supervisory meetings that support continuous learner-teacher interaction and help you reflect on your progress.
- Thrive under the guidance of our dedicated academic success tutors, there to support you through your studies.
- Our staff’s real-world expertise feeds directly into their teaching, keeping you up to date within this rapidly progressing industry.
Modules
Areas of study include:
- Fundamentals of Creative Technologies
- Games and Digital Asset Design
- Prototyping and Visual Programming
- 2D Graphics and Digital Art
- Principles of Games Programming
- Professional Industry Portfolio
- Studio Development Project
- 3D Graphics and Animation
- Applied Games Design
- Applied Games Programming
- Compositing for Visual Effects
- Desktop Applications Development and Software Engineering
- Mobile Application Development
- User Experience Design
- Web Technologies and Platforms
- Disruptive Technologies
- Undergraduate Project for Creative Technologies
- Advanced Games Design
- Advanced Games Programming
- Advanced Graphics for Games
- Learn a variety of Industry standard programming techniques and languages including C# and C++ enabling you to develop the ability to take designed gameplay and realise it into a playable form.
- Work with existing game engines as well as programming the underlying systems required to develop game engines tailored to the emerging needs of projects.
- Learn to manage a game development project individually and part of an interdisciplinary team, including use of source control programs.
- Develop game code for a variety of platforms (e.g. PC, console, mobile, web…) and experiment with emerging technologies to enhance your skills and employability in working on the cutting edge of games programming.
- Produce proof of concept prototypes that will develop into full-fledged games, applying games specific software testing methods to evaluate and iterate to produce high quality outputs.
- Design immersive player experiences and game environments, levels, mechanics and game systems.
- Learn how to create in-game challenges and obstacles to be overcome and enjoyed without excessively frustrating players.
- Follow a typical game development lifecycle from a designer’s perspective, from initial concept development through to pitching, pre-production, prototyping and release phases.
- Learn to playtest games and use game-specific techniques such as expert heuristic evaluation for playability, focus groups and data analytics to iteratively refine and improve your designs for better gaming experiences.
- Learn to professionally document game designs and express ideas and designs clearly to team members.
- Learn to apply theory and practice from computer science, psychology, affective computing studies, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), User Experience (UX) design, ludology (“the study of games and play”) and visual design principles to develop innovative and deeply engaging and enjoyable gameplay experiences.
- Learn to create artwork, models and animations that are tailored for use in games using the latest graphics techniques in game engines.
- Learn concept development skills and sketching in 2D graphics programs, 3D modelling, rigging and animation of assets such as props, scenery, characters or whole environment or level designs.
- Work with a wide range of software packages used by games industry professionals to develop your own unique range of creative and representational skills.
- Develop shaders and other procedural assets and learn to extend the functionality of the software packages and games engines used.
- Learn professional drawing techniques and carry them through from sketches to 2D and 3D game assets.
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:
- I6FY
- Institution code:
- B22
- Campus name:
- Luton Campus
- Campus code:
- D
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 32 - 48 points
A level - C - B
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Applicants with other qualifications and/or work experience will be considered. If you would like to check that your qualifications will be accepted please contact the university.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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 |
Additional fee information
For information on the 2024 fees please refer to our website, https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/fees/
Provider information
University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
LU1 3JU