The BSc Computer Games Design and Development degree equips you with the skills needed to follow a career in games development or in the wider IT industry. The course covers the techniques used to create computer games, including the relevant theory and practice from Computer Science and Software Engineering. This provides you with an understanding of how games are designed and developed, in addition to the transferable knowledge and skills you can take forward in your career as games technology advances.
You will be exposed to the latest tools and technologies used in industry, as well as work on a number of game projects targeted at different hardware platforms. As you progress through the course, you will learn the skills that will allow you to explore and develop your own game ideas as well as understand the business and employment opportunities that exist in the games industry.
The UK has a vibrant, innovative video games culture, with approximately 37.3m people in the UK playing games and a market value of £5.35bn in 2019 (UKIE, 2020). The games software market made up 48% of the UK entertainment media market in 2019, larger than both video and music (ERA, 2020).
The Department has strong links with industry and key technology companies throughout the UK and Europe. All students have the opportunity to participate in research, enterprise, public engagement, student exchange and internship programmes.
Course Content
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 compulsory modules, with a range of options in the final year to develop your specific interests and expertise.
Students also have the option to complete a year-long placement in industry between Years 2 and 3.
All modules are 20 credits, unless specified.
Year 1:
Introduction to Games Industry Practice
Game Systems Fundamentals
Principles of Programming
Computational Thinking
Developing Quality Software and Systems I
Architectures and Operating Systems
Year 2:
Designing and Implementing Game Mechanics
Introduction to Level Design and Game Asset Creation
Real-Time Computer Graphics
Game Engine Development
Networks and Communications
Research and Professional Skills
Year 3:
Compulsory modules:
Optional modules (two of the following):
- Multi-Player Game Development
- Mobile Game Development
- Computational Intelligence
- Parallel and Distributed Systems
- Gamification and Developing for Non-Game Contexts
- Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation
- Industrial Work Experience (Placement)
Note: Optional modules are subject to availability and demand; as such not all optional modules may run in one Academic Year.
Learning & Teaching
A student-centred approach to learning and teaching is encouraged through the use of a broad range of teaching strategies, such as technical labs and individual and group projects. This is further enhanced by real world case studies and guest talks from industry experts, and supported by Teams and Moodle, our virtual learning environments.
Due to the nature of the programme, online and campus-based practical 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 additional to the timetabled delivery - so as to develop a professional portfolio of project work and software artefacts as they move into graduate employment.
Students are supported academically and pastorally by the Programme Team, led by the Programme Director. Each student is also appointed a Personal Tutor from within the School, who provides a point of contact for general academic and pastoral issues. Students are also supported by Student Coaches; the Student Coach role is for current 2nd, 3rd year and Master’s students who provide peer support in Modules.
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.
Assessment
The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. Modules are assessed through a combination of methods, such as formal examinations, practical programming assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and case studies.
Employability & Careers
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 and the UK and global digital economy. Students will develop 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 both within the computer games sector and also the broader entertainment and media industries. More general developer roles may be found in the majority of the other industrial sectors (both public and private), including financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing, engineering and management consultancy. Graduates from the course have been employed within the games sector, for example Cloud Imperium and Ubisoft, and other sectors, for example DTM Global and CGI.
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, IBM, 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.
Entry Requirements & How to Apply
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:
*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.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3
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.
Mature students
A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found
here.
Contact Us