BSc (Hons) Game Development

Program Overview

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Game Development BSc (Hons)

Overview

This course equips you with the necessary technical skills to develop games both independently and within a multidisciplinary environment, backed by industry standard practices.

You'll have the opportunity to develop games for platforms such as PC, mobile and VR. With a focus on software development, you'll become adept in games programming using industry relevant languages and mathematical concepts through popular game engines. You'll work with other students to develop games as part of a games studio environment, simulated in our dedicated Game Development Lab.

Why us?

• Our Computer Science courses are 11th in the UK for teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)
• BSc (Hons) Game Development course has a 100% positivity score for how intellectually stimulating the course is, how the course challenges students to produce their best work, and how well the course develops knowledge and skills needed for the future (National Student Survey 2024)
• Learn in the state-of-the-art games lab with gaming rigs comprised of i7 processors and RTX 3060 Ti graphics cards. The lab has a playtesting zone and offers access to official console controllers, an arcade machine, and VR headsets

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning.

Course modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Software Engineering (20 credits) Explore a wide range of software engineering techniques and industry practices, designed to promote the production of high-quality, efficient, reliable, and secure software. Examine how software is created and the various stages of the software development lifecycle, together with consideration of social, ethical, professional, and legal issues. Evaluate software products to ensure that they are functioning correctly, and conclude their strengths and weaknesses.
• Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits) Gain an overview of how a computer works, from the moment it is switched on. Explore what happens inside the machine, including how computers process input, generate output and store data. Install and configure a modern operating system, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems using real equipment and simulations.
• Introduction to Programming (20 credits) Learn about the fundamental programming concepts, including how to write computer programs using a high-level programming language such as Python or C#. Develop an understanding of debugging techniques to find and resolve defects. Select and implement appropriate structures for file handling, data manipulation, and error handling within a program.
• Full Stack Development (20 credits) Explore both front-end and back-end web development, and use frameworks to create a fully dynamic web application. Consider the development of the modern web and review the underlying technologies and standards. Create programs that run on a live web server and use a modern programming language.
• Specialist Project (20 credits) Explore and develop an individual project based around your preferred area of study. Work directly with subject specialists in workshop-style sessions to explore your specialism. Appreciate the social, ethical, professional, and legal issues as they apply to computer-based systems.
• Game Development (20 credits) Gain hands-on experience using an industry-standard game engine. Plan and design a game using relevant principles and techniques, and incorporate the fundamentals of level design. Apply game programming techniques using an established set of relevant game-related technologies.

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Rapid Game Prototyping (20 credits) Get practical experience and experiment with the tools and techniques used in game development. Rapidly design and develop a series of game artifacts, with a particular focus on gameplay mechanics. Critically reflect on the rapid prototyping approach to game development.
• Agile Development and DevOps (20 credits) Learn how to use Agile and DevOps practices in modern software development, using a range of modern tools and technologies. Apply SCM concepts and GIT commands to a range of developer situations. Design, develop and deploy a workflow on a remote repository that automatically builds, tests and deploy a software product.
• Advanced Programming (20 credits) Propose solutions to programming problems through OO software design modeling, using UML diagrams, notations, and techniques. Apply advanced OO programming constructs to the development of professional-standard software. Select appropriate software design patterns, data structures and algorithms to provide efficient solutions to complex programming problems.
• Enterprise Project (20 credits) Participate in the organising, running, controlling, and monitoring of a team tasked to produce a computer-based solution to a client-posed problem. Respond to client analysis and feedback to progress and complete your prototype solution. Appreciate enterprise approaches for software project determination, selection, development, implementation, and criteria-based evaluation.
• Immersive Application Development (20 credits) Explore the use and effectiveness of current immersive technologies, including Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality. Learn how immersive technologies are being used and embraced in the industry and consider these technologies in the context of entertainment. Examine and evaluate an application prototype for its immersive and interactive qualities.
• C++ Programming (20 credits) Enhance your knowledge of the C++ language and develop your programming skills. Delve into data structures and algorithms and other C++ techniques such as memory management and overloading. Compare and contrast the usage of C++ development frameworks or engines in a gaming context.

Optional placement:

• Industrial Placement (120 credits) Spend 48 weeks on placement working within the industry. Refine, plan, schedule and produce an individual project based on your experience. Critically reflect on the skills and experience gained as part of your placement.

Final year (national level 6):

• Project (40 credits) Articulate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of your chosen research topic. Develop your professional skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, self-reflection, and time management. Collect, organise, and present your body of work, including a critical evaluation and correct citation and reference of appropriate research sources.
• Artificial Intelligence (20 credits) Examine a range of AI techniques and their application to problem-solving within society, industry, and research. Develop an awareness of the contemporary developments in the field of AI and their application and potential implications. Critically assess real-world problems and determine which AI approaches are suitable for their solutions.
• UX Design (20 credits) Translate research user and contextual data into human-centered design tools such as user stories, personas, and scenarios. Design and develop digital prototypes for a given problem specification. Critically evaluate the usability and user experience of a given interactive system.
• Collaborative VR Applications (20 credits) Develop a collaborative VR application using network programming and industry-standard tools. Consider what makes an interactive artefact collaborative and investigate the limitations of multi-user VR applications. Devise appropriate technical design documentation for a collaborative VR application using industry-standard diagrams and or illustrations.
• Game Showpiece (20 credits) Critically evaluate and select appropriate contemporary tools and techniques to design a showpiece game. Enhance your transferable skills in presenting, planning, and time management. Evaluate the success of the game with respect to potential or actual end users and reflect on the development process.

Facilities

This course is based at the David Goldman Technology Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

• Qualification | Minimum grade
  • Irish Leaving Certificate | 120 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
  • QQI/FETAC 5| Pass profile overall. For entry we also require H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths and English from Irish Leaving Certificate

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

• £9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
• £16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace. You will acquire a high level of software related transferable skills that will make you attractive to local, regional, national and international companies.

Graduate success

In your final year of the course, you will undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.

Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.

Program Outline

BSc (Hons) Game Development at the University of Sunderland

Degree Overview:

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Key objectives:

• Develop games for platforms such as PC, mobile, and VR.
• Hone your game programming skills using real-world industry languages and mathematical concepts.
• Learn game engines and work with other students in a simulated game studio.

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Program Description:

• Emphasizes real-world learning and practical experience.
• Provides strong links to software companies.
• Offers a constant exchange of ideas and people.
## Outline:

There is a focus on developing independent study skills along with teamwork through group projects.

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Course Schedule:

• Year 1 (National Level 4): Focus on fundamental programming concepts, software engineering, computer systems, and an introduction to game development.
• Year 2 (National Level 5): Delve deeper into game development with rapid prototyping, agile development, advanced programming, and immersive application development.
• Year 3 (National Level 6): Culminate your studies with a significant individual research project, explore artificial intelligence, user experience design, and creating a showpiece game.
## Assessment:

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Assessment methods include:

• Coursework assignments
• Individual and group projects
• Examinations
• Presentations

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Assessment criteria are based on:

• Technical proficiency
• Creativity
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
## Teaching:

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Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Laboratory sessions
• Workshops

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The program offers a unique learning environment:

• Games Lab: Equipped with the latest technology for game development and prototyping.
• CyberZone: Provides access to high-performance machines for cybersecurity exploration and network simulation.
• David Goldman Technology Centre: A modern facility with open-plan spaces for collaborative learning.
## Careers:

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Potential career paths include:

• Game programmer
• Web programmer
• IT manager
• Information analyst
• Software developer

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Graduates from this program have secured positions at renowned companies like:

• Sage
• British Airways
• NHS

Other:

• The program places strong emphasis on employability and real-world skills.
• Students have the opportunity to work on a major individual project with research-active staff.
• The program offers a high level of software-related transferable skills.

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The annual fee for this course is: £9,250 if you are from the UK/ Europe £16,000 if you are an international student (EU nationals will receive a £5,750 scholarship to reduce their fee to £10,250)