Foundation Year (Year 0):​

​This programme can incorporate a Foundation Year, which is intended for students wishing to enrol onto the three-year honours degree, who fall into one of the following categories:

​​1. Students who have not achieved the required A-Level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
2. Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Further information about the Foundation Year can be found by clicking here.

Degree:

During the degree course you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and learn a wide range of skills.  This includes how games are designed and implemented, how game engines work, game mechanics, AI, mobile and multi-player game development.  You will also learn a number of programming languages, including C++.  This allows you to understand how the internals of a game work and gives you the flexibility to realise your own game design ideas.  Game systems today, from mobile phones to consoles, use a graphics card (Graphics Processing Unit, or GPU) to create the effects you see on the screen.  Programming the GPU is important in modern games development and this also forms an integral part of the games development programme at Cardiff Met.

The degree programme is comprised of a number of core modules, with a range of options in the final year to develop your specific interests and expertise. Unless specified all modules are 20 credits.

Year One:

• Introduction to Games Industry Practice
  
• Game Systems Fundamentals
  
• Principles of Programming
  
• Computational Thinking
  
• Developing Quality Software and Systems I
  
• Architectures and Operating Systems
  

• Designing and Implementing Game Mechanics
  
• Introduction to Level Design and Game Asset Creation
  
• Real-Time Computer Graphics
  
• Game Engine Development
  
• Networks and Communications
  
• Research Methods for Computing and Information Systems (10 Credits)
  
• Work Experience (10 Credits)

Core modules:

• Creating Virtual Worlds Using the GPU
  
• Advanced Game Mechanics
  
• Game Development Dissertation Project (40 Credits)

Optional modules:
Students choose two of the following modules:

• ​Multi-Player Game Development
  
• Mobile Game Development
  
• Computational Intelligence
  
• Parallel and Distributed Systems​
• Gamification and Developing for Non-Game Contexts
• Industrial Work Experience

A student-centred approach to learning and teaching is encouraged through the use of a broad range of teaching strategies, including: lectures, tutorials, seminars, technical labs, reflective blogs, individual and group projects, further enhanced by real world case studies and guest lectures from industry experts and supported by our Moodle virtual learning environment.

Due to the nature of the programme, practical labs and workshops are key to developing students’ technical understanding and abilities, underpinned by solid theoretical foundations. Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and understanding through directed self-study and independent learning time -- in addition to the timetabled delivery -- so as to develop a professional portfolio of project work and software artefacts as they move into graduate employment, for example through blogging and on GitHub.

Students are supported academically and pastorally by the Programme Team, led by the Director of Undergraduate Studies and supported by Year Tutors. Their work is supported by the Personal Tutor team within the School, who provide a point of contact for general academic and pastoral issues. The Department has an active Student Computing Society, an official Students’ Union society, as well as a BCS Student Chapter, providing a wide range of events, activities and field trips throughout the academic year.​

Students are also able to attend the Games Development Workshop – a weekly meet-up where you can discuss your own game or demo ideas that you want to develop beyond the games being created as part of the course.  You can get helpful feedback from your fellow students as well as additional support to implement your ideas.  It is also an opportunity to showcase your games and develop your portfolio to show potential employers.​

The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. This will be a combination of formal examinations, practical programming assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and work-based placements. Thus, in addition to formal examinations and assessments at the end of the academic year, you will be continuously assessed and given feedback on your progress and development throughout the year i.e. through both formative and summative assessment. Many modules are assessed through a combination of practical coursework assignments and unseen written exams, generally weighted 50/50 at the end of the term or year.​

The primary aim of this degree programme is to develop theoretical understanding of the key concepts of computer games development and design. It will showcase the wider impact and importance of games software and technology to both society as well as the UK and global digital economy, alongsi​de developing highly transferable computational thinking, analytical and problem solving skills, as well as a broad range of software development skills.

Graduates will find a wide variety of career opportunities within the computer games sector and also within the IT and telecoms sector, as well as the majority of the other industrial sectors (both public and private), including the digital/creative industries, financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing, engineering and management consultancy. Real world experience is obtained as part of your study through optional sandwich year placements and industrial internships. Over the past few years, our computing/IT students have been successful in obtaining placements in nationally competitive schemes with Microsoft, HP, General Electric and the Met Office..

On successful completion of this degree programme, there are also further taught postgraduate study options across computing and information systems here at Cardiff Met, as well as research and PhD programmes.

Foundation route:

Applicants will preferably have a minimum of five GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics* at grade C or above (grade 4 or above for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England)​ and 32 UCAS Tariff Points from at least 1 A level (or equivalent).

Candidates who do not possess normal minimum entry qualification are interviewed and considered individually on the basis of their prior learning or working background.

Degree:

Five GCSE passes including English Language and Mathematics* at grade C or above (grade 4 or above for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England)​, plus 96 points from at least two A levels (or equivalent). 

Typical offers may include:

• 96 UCAS points from at least two A Levels to include grades CC; Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as the third subject​ 

• RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
• 96 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 2 x H2 grades, minimum H4 grade at Higher counted towards points offer
• 96 points from at least two Scottish Advanced Highers to include DD grades 
• 96 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma 

*For Welsh applicants sitting the reformed Mathematics GCSE, we will accept either GCSE Mathematics or Mathematics – Numeracy.

We are delighted to receive applications from students who have studied Computer Science at GCSE or A-Level (often called Computing by the main examination boards) and we will give due consideration to them. Currently, only a minority of students have had a chance to study Computer Science (especially at GCSE), so do not worry if you have not had the opportunity.

If you are studying combinations of the above, or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search​ for entry requirements.​ Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.

​Applicants holding an Edexcel Higher Award (HNC/HND) with a significant Computing or Software Engineering content may be able to complete the course within one or two years. It is possible to top-up from an ordinary to an honours degree if you have a Cardiff Met awarded degree. Please contact Admissions if you wish to enter via these routes.

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.0 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

Selection Procedure:
Selection is usually on the basis of a completed UCAS application and where relevant an interview.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044, email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk or tweet us @CMetAdmissions.

For course specific enquiries, please cont​act the Programme Director Dr Paul Angel: 

Email: PNAngel@cardiffmet.ac.uk

Tel: 029 2041 7158