Games Development BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Games Development BSc (Hons)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Games Development degree course at UCA Farnham focuses on creativity in the realm of gameplay programming and prepares students to take a central role among artists, designers, and programming teams.

Course Structure

• Year 1:
  • Fundamentals of Games Development
  • Equality Diversity and Inclusion
  • Board Game Design
  • Opportunity Week
  • Gameplay Design and Programming
  • Client Brief
  • Interactive Narratives
  • ATOM Activities
  • PLE Digital Outcome 1
• Year 2:
  • Technical Art
  • The Conscious Practitioner
  • Opportunity Week
  • Tools and Production
  • Industry Brief
  • ATOM Activities and PLE Digital Outcome
  • Elective units (choose two):
    • Conceptual Interdisciplinary
    • Immersive Media
    • Digital Storytelling
    • Hardware Projects using Arduino
    • Virtual Production Studio
    • Pervasive Game Studio
    • Creature Animation
    • Life Drawing
    • Motion Capture Technologies
    • Environmental Storytelling
• Year 3 (Professional Practice Year):
  • Placement within the creative industries
• Year 3 (Final Year):
  • Advanced Games Programming
  • Final Major Project: Critical and Conceptual Influences
  • Professional Practice
  • Final Major Project: Production

Entry Requirements

• Standard Requirements:
  • 112 UCAS tariff points
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma / BTEC National Extended Diploma
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma
  • 112 UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in appropriate subject
  • 27-30 total points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least 15 IB points at Higher level
  • Four GCSE passes at grade 9-4/A*-C including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)
• Foundation Year Requirements:
  • 32 UCAS tariff points
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • Pass, Pass, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma / BTEC National Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • 32 UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in appropriate subject
  • 24 points from the International Baccalaureate
  • Four GCSE passes at grade 9-4/A*-C including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2)

Tuition Fees

• UK/EU:
  • Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • BSc course: £9,250
  • Professional Practice Year: £1,850 (reduced tuition fee)
• International:
  • Integrated Foundation Year: £16,950
  • BSc course: £17,500
  • Professional Practice Year: £3,390 (reduced tuition fee)

Facilities and Equipment

• High-end PCs with Alienware towers, 4k dual screen monitors, and Wacom Cintiq graphics tablets
• VR development studio
• Dedicated Games Incubator Studio for graduate entrepreneurs
• Sound production and Foley studios, pro tools, and a specialist library

Career Opportunities

• Games designer
• Games programmer
• Rendering programmer
• Games developer
• Gameplay programmer
• Games producer

Industry Links

• Supermassive Games
• EA
• Sony
• Creative Assembly
• Supergonk
• Two Point Studios
• Zappar
• Hangar 13
• Atom Republic
• Rebellion
• Miniclip

Study Abroad

• Opportunity to study part of the degree abroad at a UCA partner university

Scholarships and Fee Discounts

• UCA scholarships and fee discounts available to assist with the cost of studies

Financial Support

• Additional financial support available from UCA and external sources

Additional Course Costs

• Books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips, and/or project materials

English Language Requirements

• IELTS test scores (or equivalent from other UCA-approved English tests)
• English language requirements vary by country and qualification

Staff

• Programme Director: Neil Brewis
• Industry Engagement Lead: Andy Bossom
• Senior Lecturer in Critical Studies: Dr Ewan Kirkland
• Lecturer in Games Theory: Dr Maggie Li
• Senior Lecturer in Games: Dr Digdem Sezen
• Senior Lecturer in Games: Dr Tonguc Sezen
• Senior Lecturer: Games, Comic and Concept Art: Dr Darren C Fisher

Related Courses

• Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons)
• Computer Science BSc (Hons)
• Creative Computing BSc (Hons)
• Games Animation BA (Hons)
• Games Arts BA (Hons)
• Games Design BA (Hons)
• Studio Practice (Games) (top-up) BA/BSc (Hons)
• Virtual & Augmented Reality BA (Hons)

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Program Name:

Games Development BSc (Hons)

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Program Length:

3 years full-time, 4 years full-time with Professional Practice Year

• This program focuses on preparing students for a career in the games industry as a Technical Artist, a role that bridges the gap between artists, designers, and programmers.
• Students will learn the fundamentals of programming, game engines, and 3D modeling.
• They will also gain skills in technical art, such as creating shaders, materials, and implementing lighting and post-processing effects.
• The program has a strong focus on industry connections, with students having the opportunity to work on live projects with real-world clients.
• Graduates will be well-prepared to enter the competitive games industry and contribute to the development of cutting-edge games.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

• Fundamentals of Games Development: Learn the basics of programming, game engines, and 3D modeling.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Explore the importance of diversity and inclusion in the games industry.
• Board Game Design: Design and prototype a board game.
• Client Brief: Work on a client-facing brief to gain experience in meeting deadlines and client expectations.
• The Conscious Practitioner: Explore the impact of culture and personal beliefs on artistic practice.
• Environmental Storytelling (Elective): Learn how to use game environments to tell stories.
• Motion Capture Technologies (Elective): Gain experience with motion capture technology.
• Pervasive Game Studio (Elective): Design and develop pervasive games that go beyond traditional gameplay boundaries.

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Year 3:

• Advanced Games Programming: Learn advanced programming techniques and practices used in the games industry.
• Final Major Project: Critical and Conceptual Influences: Research and develop a concept for your final major project.
• Professional Practice: Develop your professional skills and create a portfolio of your work.
• Final Major Project: Production: Produce your final major project, demonstrating your skills and knowledge in games development.

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Optional Professional Practice Year:

• Gain valuable industry experience by working on a placement within the creative industries.

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Assessment:

• Assessment methods will vary depending on the module, but may include:
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Practical projects
• Portfolios
• Examinations
• Assessment criteria will be based on the learning outcomes of each module.

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Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals.
• Teaching methods include:
• Lectures
• Workshops
• Tutorials
• Guest lectures
• Industry visits
• The program also emphasizes a strong focus on student-centered learning, with students encouraged to take ownership of their own learning experience.

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Careers:

• Graduates from this program will be well-positioned to pursue careers in the games industry as Technical Artists, Game Programmers, Game Designers, and other related roles.
• The program's strong focus on industry connections will help graduates to secure employment in the games industry.

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Other:

• The program offers a number of opportunities for students to get involved in the games industry, including:
• Student-led games clubs
• Games industry competitions
• Guest lectures from industry professionals
• Industry placements
• The program also has a dedicated Careers & Professional Practice team that can help students with career planning and job applications.

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Overall:

The Games Development BSc (Hons) program at UCA Farnham is a comprehensive and industry-focused program that will prepare students for a successful career in the games industry. The program's strong focus on technical art, industry connections, and student-centered learning makes it an ideal choice for students who are passionate about games and want to make a career out of their passion.

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UK EU International Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 BSc course: £9,250 If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year. Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated International Foundation Year: £9,250 (see fee discount information) BSc course: £9,250 (see fee discount information) If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year. Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated International Foundation Year: £16,950 BSc course: £17,500 If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £3,390. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.