BSc (Hons) Computer Game Development at University of East London

Whether it’s the fun of Super Mario or the horror of Resident Evil that consumes you, this is your chance to convert your passion for playing games into knowledge about how to create and design them.

 You’ll get the most out of our course if you come with an interest in all kinds of games – board, card and pen-and-paper - not just digital ones. You’ll be amazed what you can learn from games like Munchkin or Dungeons and Dragons.

We run two games courses at UEL, subtly different but both sharing the same focus on designing games and game play.

“Frankly, there are no other courses similar,” says Senior Lecturer David Dorrington. “We’re not a computing course nor an arts course. We’re about designing experiences of play, designing emotional experiences, allowing students to develop a skill set so they can develop a game from scratch.”

Our course will equip you, like many of our successful graduates, for a role in the expanding games industry.

By the end of your course, you should be playing a game you designed yourself – and hopefully following in the footsteps of the many UEL graduates now making their mark in the games industry.

What you'll learn

Both of our three-year computer games courses share a common core of modules. The Computer Games Development course differs slightly, though, with its emphasis on the application of traditional software development and programming skills to game and gameplay design.

In your first year, you’ll look at the basic theoretical and practical aspects of games design and development. One day you could be deconstructing Asteroids or Pac-Man, the next creating your own board game. You’ll be learning about graphics and prototyping production techniques as well as games theory.

In your second year, you’ll concentrate on more detailed games design as well as studying games research methods. You’ll also get the chance to apply your developing knowledge by working for a live client.

You’ll gain valuable insights into all aspects of professional practice. It’s not just about designing games but about communicating your ideas properly, so you’ll take part in presentations and pitches.

In your final year, you’ll complete an individual research and dissertation project. A group of you will also conceptualise, design and develop an original game to give you a proper feel for how the games industry works.

At the same time, you’ll be putting the final touches to your final professional portfolio to ensure you are in the best possible position after your graduate.