Program Overview
Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc
Course Overview
Are you captivated by artificial intelligence and eager to delve into its multifaceted applications? Immerse yourself in our dynamic MSc course, where you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how to harness AI in games and cultivate a diverse skill set applicable across the broader spectrum of the gaming industry.
This engaging master's course in Artificial Intelligence for Games seamlessly integrates classical AI and cutting-edge machine learning, providing you with a comprehensive toolkit to navigate the evolving landscape of intelligent systems in gaming and beyond. Join us on a journey where theory meets hands-on practice, preparing you for a rewarding career at the intersection of AI, machine learning and the exciting world of game development.
Study at Falmouth:
- Build your skills by devising AI for games, both in solo and co-creative contexts
- Study in one of the largest dedicated games studio spaces at any UK university, guided by leading researchers in AI and experienced developers and programmers from industry
- Engage in studio practice alongside peers from a range of disciplines, attend workshops and practical classes and collaboratively realise game projects
- Gain technical and transferable expertise in preparation for a successful and impactful career in this revolutionary field
Course Details
On Artificial Intelligence for Games, you’ll not only gain a full knowledge of AI, but skills in the broader games industry context too. Throughout the master’s degree you’ll have opportunities to engage in creative software development tools, game engine architecture and collaboration with other students. You'll conclude your studies with an industry-ready major project portfolio piece.
Study Block One
- Development Practice
- You’ll deepen your knowledge of game development practices. Working in interdisciplinary teams and employing specialist skills such as C++ programming and git versioning practices, you’ll devise small-scale artefacts. You’ll also carry out a personal reflective case study that will help to enrich and expand your practice.
- (30 credits)
- Classical Artificial Intelligence
- In this Classical AI module, you’ll investigate and implement ‘classical’ artificial intelligence techniques that are commonly applied to decision-making problems in industry.
- (30 credits)
Study Block Two
- Machine Learning
- In this module, you’ll employ current machine learning frameworks to analyse data-rich problem spaces.
- (30 credits)
- Game Development Project
- Working in multidisciplinary teams from across the Games Academy, you’ll envision, design, implement and pitch a game prototype.
- (30 credits)
Study Block Three
- Major Project
- For the final stage of this Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc, you’ll work on a major research and development project, under the guidance of a supervisor, that showcases your specialist skills. The work produced for this module is expected to be fully realised, polished and of a publishable quality.
- (60 credits)
How You'll Learn & Be Assessed
How You'll Learn
- With regularly timetabled support sessions from our course team and project supervision throughout, you’ll learn to produce games to a high standard, collaborating effectively as a member of a game development team and conducting cutting-edge research and development independently.
- Demonstrations
- Studio practice
- Project supervision
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Practical workshops
- Crit sessions
- Tutorials
- Guest speakers
- Mentoring
How You'll Be Assessed
- Assessment for the Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc is 100% coursework.
- Learning is situated in an environment that mirrors the industry, helping to prepare you for working in a game studio environment.
- Assessments are composed of practical activities underpinned by critical analyses of the workflows and practices applied in the module to further support your learning.
- Module leaders and supervisors will be available to guide and support you through your assessments to enhance your relevant technical and academic skillsets.
Facilities
- Modern i7 machines.
- Specialised computing hardware
- Standard software used in the games industry, including Adobe and Autodesk suites.
- Access to software.
- Access to AR/VR technologies
Our facilities are open late during term time.
Staff
Our academic staff includes world-leading researchers in cutting-edge AI as well as expert game developers and programmers. You'll be taught and supported by experienced tutors who have worked with leading game studios and franchises.
- Dr Michael Scott
- Head of Computing and Associate Professor of Computer Science Education
- Dr Daniel Zhang
- Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- Terry Greer
- Senior Lecturer in Game Design
- Joseph Walton-Rivers
- Lecturer
- John Speakman
- Lecturer
Careers
As a graduate of this Artificial Intelligence for Games master’s course, your career could progress into roles such as:
- Artificial intelligence specialist
- AI programmer
- Software developer
- Data analyst
- Technical director
- Game designer
- Systems designer
- Entrepreneur
- Researcher / Further study / PhD
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- We welcome applicants with varied qualifications, but typically you’ll need an undergraduate degree in computing, software engineering, game programming or related fields. You’ll also need experience in computer programming. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience.
- Applicants should also have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
Language Requirements
- If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
Fees, Costs & Funding
Tuition Fees
- £9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.)
- £17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)
Typical Course Costs
- To complete your coursework, you'll require a laptop at an expense of around £1,500. Read about the latest laptop specifications we recommend
- £30-£150 for a headset with a microphone
- £25-£100 for a webcam
- Internet access with at least 5Mbps speed to enable livestreaming of content
- £120 - Recommended reading purchases, if not available in library
Postgraduate Funding
There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.
Program Outline
It provides a deep understanding of how AI can be leveraged in games, along with a range of additional skills relevant to the broader gaming industry.
Key aspects of the program:
- Practice-focused: The program emphasizes hands-on experience through studio work, allowing students to test and experiment with cutting-edge AI techniques.
- Studio environment: Students collaborate with artists and designers in a studio environment, simulating real-world game development scenarios.
- Mentorship: Students receive guidance from renowned researchers and experienced developers, preparing them for their future careers.
- Portfolio development: Students build a portfolio of industry-ready projects through their coursework.
Outline:
Study Block 1:
- Modules:
- Development Practice
- Deepens knowledge of game development practices.
- Interdisciplinary team projects using C++ programming and git versioning.
- Personal reflective case study to enrich practice.
- 30 credits
- Classical Artificial Intelligence
- Explores and implements classical AI techniques for decision-making in industry.
- 30 credits
Study Block 2:
- Modules:
- Machine Learning
- Employs current machine learning frameworks to analyze data-rich problems.
- 30 credits
- Game Development Project
- Multidisciplinary team project across the Games Academy.
- Envision, design, implement, and pitch a game prototype.
- 30 credits
Study Block 3:
- Modules:
- Major Project
- Research and development project under the guidance of a supervisor.
- Showcase specialist skills and produce a fully realized, polished, and publishable project.
- 60 credits
Assessment:
- All assessments are 100% coursework-based.
- Learning environment mirrors the industry, preparing students for game studio work.
- Assessments include practical activities supported by critical analyses of workflows and practices.
- Module leaders and supervisors guide students through assessments to enhance their technical and academic skills.
Teaching:
- Regular support sessions from the course team and project supervision.
- Learning by producing games to a high standard.
- Collaboration in game development teams.
- Cutting-edge research and development conducted independently.
- Teaching methods include:
- Demonstrations
- Studio practice
- Project supervision
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Practical workshops
- Crit sessions
- Tutorials
- Guest speakers
- Mentoring
Faculty:
- World-leading researchers in AI.
- Expert game developers and programmers.
- Experienced tutors with industry experience.
Careers:
- Potential career paths include:
- Artificial intelligence specialist
- AI programmer
- Software developer
- Data analyst
- Technical director
- Game designer
- Systems designer
- Entrepreneur
- Researcher
- Further study/PhD
Other:
- Students have access to modern i7 machines, specialized computing hardware, industry-standard software (Adobe and Autodesk suites), AR/VR technologies, and late-night access to facilities during term time.
- The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive field of AI-powered game development.
Tuition fees 2024-25 £9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.) £17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees) Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024. Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
