BSc (Hons)Computer Games Programming and Design

Core modules

Game Start: Game Development 101

In this module you will be introduced to the key areas of videogame development and how videogames are made. You'll begin to learn and understand the key skills associated with game development, alongside industry-standard software and industry-standard practices, preparing you for the course, and providing you with knowledge and understanding of real-world practices.

Rubber Duck: Coding 101

This module introduces you to the key skills associated with programming for videogames, using various software tools including industry standard game engines. The module will prepare you for the coding aspect of the course while introducing you to real-world coding best practices and techniques

XP: Game Design

In this module you will learn the key fundamental skills, practices and theories associated with game design, preparing you for the design aspect of the course while teaching you real-world skills associated with game design disciplines.

Game Studio 1

This module lets you apply standard coding and design skills to build your own video game, while mastering the professional workflows used across the industry. You’ll learn how to navigate production pipelines, create essential development documentation, hit key milestones and collaborate across disciplines while working within a simulated studio environment.

Core modules

New Mechanics: Advanced Game Development

During this module you'll explore more advanced areas of videogame development, including how individual systems and mechanics are designed, programmed, prototyped and tested and will be taught to analyse strengths and weaknesses in games systems and mechanics and their implementations. You'll also further develop your understanding of the key skills associated with game programming and design, alongside industry-standard software and practices.

Game Studio 2

In this module, you'll work in multi-discipline team(s) within a simulated studio environment on a videogame project following industry-standard development and project pipelines. The key difference between the Studio 1 module and this module is the expectation that the skills, knowledge and team-work applied will be to a higher standard and will produce a product of greater polish and sophistication.

Game Studio 3

You'll work in multi-discipline team(s) within a simulated studio environment on a videogame project following industry-standard development and project pipelines. The key difference between Studio 2 and Studio 3 is that only designers and programmers will be working within the studio. The focus will therefore be on designing, developing and producing unique videogame experiences that are less reliant on game art for visual representation and player engagement.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Building Games from Scratch: Engine Architecture

This module covers the inner workings of game engines and their underlying structure - the concepts involved are valuable to every game programmer for even the smallest projects. Architectural decisions have a huge impact on the versatility of an engine and are often behind its success or failure. You will gain an understanding of how games and other modern software is architected using various patterns and solutions to common problems.

Spaces and Stories

In this module you will explore advanced practices and theories associated with level design and world building, both fundamentally important elements in creating engaging and enjoyable virtual spaces for the player to explore and play within. You'll learn key level design and narrative skills and tools that you can incorporate into your own games to enhance environmental storytelling and create engaging play spaces.

Core modules

Game Studio 4

Building on previous Game Studio modules, you'll again collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to build a sophisticated videogame. You’ll also enjoy greater independence, shaping the genre, style and content of your project. Alongside applying advanced coding, art and design skills, you’ll learn how real studios operate, working to professional pipelines, producing key documentation, planning effectively and hitting key milestones.

Final Fight: Final Major Project Part 1

In this module you will conduct research into various game development theories and methodologies to identify the ones relevant to your final year major project (FMP) and then write a research-based pitch report on their FMP. You'll also prepare the pre-production documentation for their project and produce detailed planning documentation for the production phase of the project.

Final Fight 2: Final Major Project Part 2

In this module you will execute the production phase of your FMP, implementing appropriate industry-standard game production and post-production methodologies, as well as design and/or programming skills to produce a polished product. You'll track your project's progress using professional tools and use them to manage the successful production life cycle. The end result is to produce a quality piece of portfolio work that highlights your discipline and skills to enhance employability.

Optional modules

Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

Advanced Graphics Programming

In this module you will learn rendering and graphical aspects of game engine development, covering core 3D rendering topics and concepts relevant to displaying game data on the screen. Understanding how such graphics elements are developed is an important skill set for expanding on previously taught concepts of engine architecture and working towards creating a proprietary game engine.

Respec: Experimental Game Design

In this module, you will advance your videogame design skills and design creativity by exploring and developing unique, creative and experimental videogame ideas, concepts, systems and mechanics. You'll also be encouraged to explore alternative technologies, such as virtual reality and mixed reality.