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Computer Games Development with Foundation Year at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS

Course summary

Love playing videogames? Why not be part of a team that develops them? On our practical degree, you will have the opportunity to gain technical skills and theoretical knowledge to help you become a confident and competent computer games developer. From programming, software design and asset development to character animation, this course will cover the industry latest to help you stay up-to-date, ensuring you’re ready for the working world upon graduation. This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? This degree will help you gain a strong knowledge and competence in software development, focusing on your development of software for computer games. It provides a balance of theory and practice in software engineering, systems, computing and games development, preparing you for employment in this exciting field. While the course focuses on software development in the context of games, the skills and knowledge you acquire are equally applicable to the production of software for sectors such as banking, manufacturing and retail. The relevance of the degree is also underpinned by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Curriculum Framework (2008). We are a member of the PlayStation® Vita Academic Development Programme run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional console development hardware and software tools. We are an NVIDIA CUDA Teaching Centre. We are also a member of TIGA, the trade association representing the UK's games industry. Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. What will I study? During the first year you will develop your programming skills (C#) and apply them to the development of 2D mobile and console games and 3D levels within a commercial game engine. Other modules provide a taste of other disciplines in the games industry, including an introduction to games design and 3D modelling. In second year you will continue to develop your programming skills (C++) and apply them to the development of realistic AI and graphical applications using a graphics library. You'll be taught about the processes involved in managing the development of complex games in large teams and as a member of your own team, develop a game in collaboration with students on other courses. During your third year, you will develop a physics engine and integrate it into a games engine. You will also extend your understanding of the more complex AI techniques used in games and gain an insight into how games companies operate. A major component of the final year is the project, which provides an opportunity to develop a game or related software application. What are my career prospects? You will be well placed to pursue a career within the growing games and media sectors. Alternatively, you may use the transferable skills gained to follow a career in the mainstream software industry.

Modules

Foundation Year Core Introduction to Programming Computing Essentials Core Mathematics Design Principles Professional Skills Review Final Project Year one Core Programming Concepts Computer Architectures Level Design Maths for Games Game Design Opportunity 2 x 10 credit year one Opportunity modules Year two Core Graphical Programming Object Oriented Analysis and Design Object Oriented Programming Project Optional Agile Project Management 3D Asset Design Virtual Environments Virtual Production Project Year three Core Advanced Programming AI for Games Project Advanced Team Project Optional Game Engine Development Design Patterns Critical Systems Software Testing and QA Physics Engine Programmer

Assessment method

We have a strong computing department at the University, with a dedicated team of academics and professionals delivering industry-relevant courses in a suite of well-equipped computer labs. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with the tutors and other students. You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops with one-to-one and small group teaching, as well as written assignments and practical exercises. You will also learn from guest speakers and benefit from valuable networking opportunities. Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun! We also encourage you to gain work experience whilst studying and actively look for clients for your project work, which provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in a work-base setting. Where possible, assessments are tied to real-world contexts and constraints, allowing you to practically demonstrate the skills you have developed. You may also be assessed through projects, in-class assignments, workshops, presentations and formal written exams.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
G46G
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
Buckinghamshire New University
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
75%
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 £15000* Year 1
International £15000* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Sponsorship information

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships

Computer Games Development with Foundation Year at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS