Program Overview

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Overview of the BSc (Hons) Computer Games (including Foundation Year)

The BSc (Hons) Computer Games (including Foundation Year) is a four-year degree that provides students with a strong foundation in the mechanics, concepts, and techniques of computer games and core computer science theory. This degree prepares students to create new virtual worlds, characters, and stories.

Why this Course

The BSc (Hons) Computer Games (including Foundation Year) gives students the skills and industry-standard techniques to design and implement their own computer games, virtual reality training, and gamification. Students will spend Year Zero on the Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, and Mathematics Pathway, gaining an introduction to statistical analysis and modeling, as well as computer programming.

Who Should Apply

This course is suitable for:

• Future game developers and programmers
• Students eager to develop their own digital worlds
• Those considering a career that benefits from a broad understanding of how computers and digital systems work
• Computational thinkers with a great grasp of pattern recognition and algorithms

What You'll Learn

Students will learn about:

• Computer games: Explore game design, programming, and development
• Programming: Learn to program with multiple programming languages
• Web: Secure the principles and technology behind web apps and websites
• Digital systems: Grasp the software and hardware underpinning digital computer systems
• Specialise: Tailor your degree through your choice of optional modules

Your Learning Experience

• Expert teaching: Learn from leading researchers revolutionizing industries such as agriculture and healthcare
• Specialist facilities: Access 24/7 computing labs with a range of programming software and specialist facilities for brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, and more

Careers and Outcomes

A BSc (Hons) Computer Games degree prepares students for diverse careers in:

• Computer games: Development, programming, intelligence
• IT: Computer and information research, computer network architecture, database systems administration
• Healthcare: Health information and technology, clinical data and systems administration
• Business and finance: Financial analysis, data analysis, risk management
• Energy: Energy generation and distribution systems, data analysis, technological improvement

Employers of Graduates from this Course

Graduates from this course have progressed to roles in national and international organizations, including:

• Playtech
• Sky

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• UK and EU applicants: All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually.
• Standard offer: Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.
• GCSE Maths: For this course, all applicants must also hold GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

International & EU Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.

English Language Requirements

• English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Structure

Course Structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Year 0

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Computer Programming (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Reading, Writing, Research, and Presentation Skills (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Mathematical Methods and Statistics (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS - IA112-3-FY or IA126-3-FY (30 credits)

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Team Project Challenge (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: CORE - Introduction to Databases (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: CORE - Web Development (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: CORE - Data Structures and Algorithms I (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 08: CORE - Fundamentals of Digital Systems (15 credits)

Year 2

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Team Project Challenge (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Application Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Data Structures and Algorithms (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: CORE - Computer Game Design (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: CORE - Computer Game Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 07: CORE - C++ Programming (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 08: CORE WITH OPTIONS - Option from list (15 credits)

Final Year

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Individual Capstone Project Challenge (45 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Physics-Based Games (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - High-Level Games Development (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS - Option from list (45 credits)

Teaching

• Undergraduate students in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering typically attend a two-hour lecture and a two-hour lab for each 15-credit module.
• A significant amount of practical lab work will need to be undertaken for written assignments and as part of your learning.

Assessment

• In your first year, you will have exams before the start of term in January.
• Your assessed coursework will generally consist of essays, reports, in-class tests, individual or group oral presentations, and small-scale research projects.
• All credit-bearing modules will involve a final exam, which will be either essay-based or in the form of a test.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• Ł9,790 per year

International Fee

• Ł21,500 per year

Scholarships and Financial Support

There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

What's Next

Open Days

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer.

Applying

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.