Computer Games Design and Programming at Staffordshire University

Run in affiliation with games industry body TIGA, this course will give you the skills you need for a career in games development focused around using multiple games technologies. This course has been designed around the needs of the games industry with the focus on developing skills in design, programming and production.

These three core areas cover many of the job roles advertised by a highly competitive worldwide games industry and allow a graduate to cast a wide net when it comes to applying for a games studio role. This broad skill set also makes graduates from this course ideally suited to joining Indie teams where the need to be flexible in a role is particularly valuable or to independently create their own games.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design and Programming.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design and Programming

In Year 1, you will learn the fundamentals of programming using C++ for engine creation, develop your games design and development skills using the industry's leading games engines, and apply rapid games prototyping skills for designing and demonstrating your own innovative game ideas. During this year, the work covered will take you from concept generation to gameplay prototype using visual scripting, C# and C++ both in existing engines and by developing your own coding frameworks. No prior coding or games engine knowledge is required, just a passion for wanting to create your own games.

In Year 2, you’ll work on a collaborative group project as a junior member of a full development team. You will expand your knowledge of using games engines to develop games and continue to enhance your programming skills in C++ and C#. Optional modules allow you to develop skills for 2D/3D asset creation, 3D graphics programming, UI and level design. In this year, you will have the opportunity to design and develop your own full indie game title using industry-standard production methods and advanced engine and programming techniques.

In Year 3, you will work as a senior or lead member of a development team on a collaborative game. You’ll also design and develop your own individual project, learn and apply artificial intelligence techniques, and refine your skills in options for production, design or programming. By this stage, you will have designed and developed numerous game concepts and prototypes, expanded your knowledge of the games production pipeline and worked in groups to develop vertical slices of high-quality industry-style games.