Course summary
OVERVIEW The BSc Computer Games Development combines practical development skills with games design. Throughout the course you will develop your skills in game programming and game engine scripting for multiple platforms. You'll be supported by dedicated games studios and have interaction with animation artists. This is a practical, career-focused degree that encourages you to publish games and demonstrate your work to employers at our end-of-year Digital Futures event. Major games studios only employ the most talented and business-aware graduates, which is why we emphasise the need to work on real-world tasks and to create a strong e-portfolio and showreel. Our multi-skilled graduates work in various industries including games, animation and social networking. PRACTICAL FOCUS The BSc Computer Games Development is predominately project-based with an emphasis on team work, problem-solving, project management, version control, collation and dissemination of project tasks. Though some assignments are individual, project work is designed to prepare you for the world of work, particularly in a games studio environment. The Year 4 Honours project is an individual piece of work that is practical in focus allowing you to specialise in a particular games related area that interests you. This is a practical, career-focused degree that encourages you to publish games and develop an online presence via the creation of a showcase portfolio. The BSc Computer Games Development provides you with the chance to illustrate your work to prospective employers at our end of year show Digital Futures. Guest speakers from industry provide students with insights about working in games, animation, web and mobile environments. Regular game jams are also organised throughout the degree course which also provide with opportunities to develop games for your portfolio. In addition, there is an optional 36-week professional work placement between years 2 & 3 or 3 & 4. Access to industry-standard software game engines is fully incorporated into the course. You will become familiar with game engines such as GameMaker, Unity and Unreal Engine. You can also specialise in the area of mobile games development through the use of Phaser. On top of that, you will develop skills in 2D and 3D modeliing as you work on projects PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION The BSc Computer Games Development is a TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association) accredited course. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs UWS Computer Games Development graduates enjoy careers in creative industry companies that might be either games, animation or web and mobile related. Companies where Computer Games Development graduates have found employment include Rockstar North, Blazing Griffin, PlayStation, Rivet Games, The VR Hive, Ant Workshop Ltd, Add Jam, Equator and Build A Rocket Boy Studio. Games Development graduates have also established their own independent games studios working on a freelance basis.
Modules
In Year 1, you will study the games industry and games development alongside modelling and animation for games. Core skills in programming for games complement use of game engines to develop games. Year 2 studies will deepen your understanding of game programming and development using game engines such as Unity 3D and Unreal as well as producing games for the web. You will also learn about game design and creating and using game assets. By the end of this year you should be producing games for your portfolio. In Year 3, the emphasis is on more advanced techniques in game programming and developing your skills for the games industry. You will undertake a year-long team design and development project, creating a working 3D game for release. You will also explore development of mobile games. Optional Sandwich placement period may be undertaken on a full-time basis over a minimum 36 weeks duration, leading to a sandwich award. This can be taken between years 2 and 3, but is more commonly taken between years 3 and 4. In your final year, you will undertake an individual project, creating a major portfolio piece to showcase your skills. You will extend your knowledge of level design, the use of games in learning and of advanced web games.
Assessment method
The BSc Computer Games Development is predominately project-based with an emphasis on team work, problem-solving, project management, version control, collation and dissemination of project tasks. Though some assignments are individual, project work is designed to prepare you for the world of work, particularly in a games studio environment. The Year 4 Honours project is an individual piece of work that is practical in focus allowing you to specialise in a particular games related area that interests you.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Independent Game Developers' Association
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
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:
- G610
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS; For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 114 points
A level - BBC
Scottish Higher - ABBB
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Year 1 entry with SWAP (BBB) Access to STEM.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
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
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £17250* | Year 1 |
| International | £17250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE