Game Development MSc

Program Overview

---

Game Development MSc

Course Overview

Embark on a transformative journey with the University of Gloucestershire’s MSc in Game Development. This exceptional program, crafted by experts with over 30 years in AAA titles like Bioshock, Crysis, and Star Wars: Battlefront, is more than a course – it’s an entry into a world where your game development aspirations become reality.

Tailored to your unique interests, the curriculum spans technical art, photogrammetry, environment design, and machine learning. You’ll delve into game theory and design, gaining specialized skills to stand out in the competitive gaming arena.

The program integrates real-world applications, such as a summer industry placement and live projects that have been developed with our industry partners. This opportunity translates your classroom knowledge into practical experience, enhancing employability and preparing you for the professional world of game development.

Collaboration is key. You’ll work with a team of designers, programmers, and artists on projects that incorporate industry practices, honing crucial teamwork skills. Networking is also a major component, with access to industry conferences and events like Insomnia and Let’s Talk Games, that offer invaluable exposure to industry leaders and feedback opportunities.

University of Gloucestershire’s inclusive approach welcomes all passionate individuals, and we take a broad view of our students’ previous experience and academic background. If you’re driven and ready to channel your passion for gaming into a successful career, this course is your gateway. Join us to shape the future of gaming.

Study Style

A state-of-the-art Digital Hub COMX

You’ll engage in creating game mechanics, narratives, and characters, optionally underpinned by partnerships with the PlayStation First Academic Programme and the Nintendo Switch Developer Portal.

The course culminates in a summer industry placement with top studios like Unity, Rebellion, and Sumo Digital, providing real-world experience and boosting employability.

The immersive nature of the course blends hands-on learning and theoretical foundation, and includes 3D modeling, animation, digital sculpting, interactive design, and programming.

Tailored to enhance your skills in game art, design, and production, it allows you to customize your learning to align with personal strengths, and to build a comprehensive portfolio that will enable you to realize your career goals.

Digital programs at Park Campus will benefit from state-of-the-art equipment and facilities coming on stream in the 2024/25 academic year. Featuring a Cyber Control Centre, a Virtual Reality facility, a digital lounge, and enhanced teaching and learning facilities, the Digital Hub will be equipped with the latest technology, including photogrammetry equipment offering new capability to capture 3D objects in different locations.

Entry Requirements

• Game Development MSc requirements
  • We normally require an honors degree of 2.2 or above in a games or computer science related discipline with a substantial software development component.
• International students
  • Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course Modules

You're viewing course modules for the Full Time (1 year) course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course modules.

Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).

Module information is not available for this program.

Loading...

• Level 7 (Postgraduate)

All students must complete these modules:

• Individual Commercial Project (CT7101)
  • This module is the culmination of students’ engagement with the Game Development program, and thus affords students the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of research on a topic of their choice within the realm of computer game development and design.
• Collaborative Project (CT7102)
  • This module affords students the opportunity to work in a professional game development environment. With the module tutor(s) acting as ‘Studio Heads’, students will be assigned roles based on their skills and tasked to work together to meet set milestones over the course of the semester to build a working prototype of a publishable game product.
• Extended Collaborative Project (CT7103)
  • This module affords students the opportunity to continue a software project beyond the “prototype” stage with a view to teaching students the fundamentals of releasing and maintaining a software application.

You can choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Environmental Design (CT7110)
  • This module covers advanced techniques to create interactive environments for games and investigates how these techniques are used within the games industry to enhance the quality of the player experience in games.
• Serious Games (CT7112)
  • This module covers advanced techniques and strategies to design and produce serious games with an emphasis on games accessibility. Serious games refer to games that are designed for purposes other than pure entertainment, such as education, training, therapy, or social change. Games accessibility refers to the design of games that are inclusive and accessible to players with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
• Procedural Generation Algorithms (CT7120)
  • This module covers programming and design behind advanced techniques in procedural generation and how these techniques can and are used within the games industry to enhance the quality and content within games.
• Machine Learning and Data Analytics (CT7121)
  • This module covers the techniques behind machine learning and data analytics in the context of videogames and real-time simulation.

Fees and Costs

You're viewing fees for the Full Time (1 year) course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.

Students usually support themselves through the postgraduate loan, private savings, family support, or sponsorship from an employer. For advice and guidance on your funding options, contact the Money Advice team.

UoG graduates receive 15% off postgraduate tuition fees. Terms apply.

Start date | Location | Course code | Fee (UK) | Fee (international)
Total fee
---|---|---|---|---
Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | — | £9,825 | £17,950
Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | — | TBC | TBC

International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Find out more

Careers

Unlock a universe where your career is an exhilarating adventure. This degree is your key to groundbreaking opportunities – it’s not just an education, it’s a launchpad. Become an innovator in VR/AR, creating immersive experiences that blur the bounds of reality.

You’ll be empowered to weave captivating narratives, leading the charge in game design. As a Project Manager, you can orchestrate projects that merge art and gaming technology, crafting digital masterpieces.

The MSc’s focus on advanced skills and research equips you uniquely for these roles, making it not just beneficial but essential. It’s also a gateway to inspiring future creators in academia and beyond. Each day in this career is a thrilling leap into uncharted territories of creativity and innovation, a journey where your impact can resonate across gaming and non-gaming landscapes.

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Zayd Dawood

Academic Course Leader for Game Development

Visit academic course leader's profile

View all teaching staff for this course

State-of-the-Art Facilities

UoG has secured £5.8 million funding to enhance computing and cyber facilities from September 2024.

These will include a new cyber control centre and VR facility, a new digital lounge, as well as enhanced teaching and learning facilities.

The new state-of-the-art facility will enable you to simulate real-life experiences and graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your career.

Learn from Industry Veterans

All your mentors are either industry veterans with experience working on AAA and indie titles, or have a strong background in cutting-edge research like Machine Learning and Serious Games. There is expertise and focus on keeping up-to-date with current industry standards, helping to give you the skills required within industry.

Work as Part of a Multidisciplinary Team

Working in the games industry you’ll be required to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. This Master’s degree offers you a variety of opportunities to work together with designers, programmers, and artists to build industry-standard projects, enhance your portfolio, and increase your skills.

Network with Professional Developers

This Master’s course offers you a variety of career opportunities to enhance your employability and perfect your portfolio. From our industry conference with guest speakers from AAA game studios to our trips to the Brain’s Eden Games Jam and Brighton Develop Conference – we give you many opportunities to network with professional developers and get their feedback on your work.

Push Your Possible with a Master’s Degree

Increase your pay potential, specialize in a subject you love, or pursue your passion and switch careers.

UoG alumni can benefit from a postgraduate scholarship discount of 15% off tuition fees.

Discover more at glos.ac.uk/pushyourpossible.

School of Creative Arts

Explore and collaborate with creatives from across the spectrum. We offer the perfect environment to practice your craft and prepare you to graduate career-ready.

Visit the School of Creative Arts

Related Stories

• Our DNA could become target of cyber hackers warns UoG expert
• UoG to develop improvements in cyber security through £275k partnership with business
• Connect with next generation of cyber and digital talent at UoG’s Employer Roundtable

Trips and Experiences

You’ll be able to work with other programmers, designers, and artists on our year-long collaborative project module to create an industry-standard combined portfolio piece to help propel you into the industry.

Placements

In the third semester, you’ll have the option of embarking on a summer industry placement – putting the skills you’ve learned into action inside a professional game development company.

Industry-Standard Facilities

The MSc Game Development lab is a learning space that’s also a vibrant hub of creativity. It’s a place where your ideas can come to life with the best tools at your fingertips surrounded by like-minded individuals. The lab is part of our suite of Game Technologies facilities, all running the highest spec computers to create a gaming-inspired environment that’s both inspiring and comfortable.

Innovative Curriculum with Real-World Relevance

Dive into a curriculum that’s not only academically rigorous but also closely aligned with industry trends. From VR/AR development to advanced game design. You’ll be working individually and in teams on projects and concepts that prepare you directly for the exciting challenges of the gaming industry.

A Personalized, One-to-One Mentorship

At UoG, you’re not just another student. The course team’s personalized approach means you receive individual attention and mentorship, tailored to your unique strengths and career goals. This level of support is invaluable for developing your skills and confidence as a game developer.

Program Outline

Extracted Information from University of Gloucestershire MSc Game Development Program:

---

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This program equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the game development industry.
It emphasizes technical skills, game design, and production, allowing customization to individual strengths and career aspirations.
• Objectives: The program aims to:
• Equip students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the game development industry.
• Develop advanced technical skills in areas like 3D modelling, animation, digital sculpting, and programming.
• Foster critical thinking, creativity, and innovation in game design and production.
• Provide opportunities for industry collaboration and networking to enhance employability.
• Description: The MSc Game Development program offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
It combines theoretical foundation with hands-on learning through various modules covering game mechanics, narratives, character design, environment design, programming, and more. The program culminates in a summer industry placement with top studios, providing real-world experience and boosting employability.

---

Outline:

• Program Content: The program covers various aspects of game development, including:
• Technical art
• Photogrammetry
• Environment design
• Machine learning
• Game theory
• Game design
• 3D modelling
• Animation
• Digital sculpting
• Interactive design
• Programming
• Structure: The program is offered full-time and part-time.
• Full-time: 1 year
• Part-time: 2 years
• Course Schedule: Specific course schedule information is not available.
• Individual Modules:
• Individual Commercial Project (CT7101) - Research and development project on a chosen topic in game development and design.
• Collaborative Project (CT7102) - Team project to build a working game prototype in a simulated studio environment.
• Extended Collaborative Project (CT7103) - Continued development of the game prototype to release and maintenance.
• Advanced Environmental Design (CT7110) - Advanced techniques for creating interactive game environments.
• Serious Games (CT7112) - Design and production of serious games for non-entertainment purposes.
• Procedural Generation Algorithms (CT7120) - Programming and design techniques for procedural generation in games.
• Machine Learning and Data Analytics (CT7121) - Implementing machine learning and data analytics in video games and simulations.

---

Assessment:

• Assessments are primarily based on individual and group assignments, with each module having its specific assessment criteria.

---

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program emphasizes hands-on learning and industry-focused projects.
It combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, and individual supervision.
• Faculty: The program is taught by industry veterans with experience in AAA titles and cutting-edge researchers.

---

Careers:

• Graduates are equipped for various roles in the game development industry, including:
• Game designer
• Game programmer
• Technical artist
• Project manager
• VR/AR developer
• Academic researcher
• The program provides opportunities for networking and career development through industry conferences, events, and summer placements.

---

Other:

• The program welcomes students from diverse backgrounds and offers support through personalized mentorship and industry-standard facilities.
• Graduates have access to lifetime career coaching, internship opportunities, and a scholarship discount for further postgraduate studies.
• The program emphasizes collaboration and teamwork, encouraging students to work with other designers, programmers, and artists on projects.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in events like COMX, Insomnia, and Let's Talk Games to showcase their work and gain industry feedback.
• The program curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current industry trends and technologies.

---

Note:

Some information, such as specific course schedules and module descriptions, may not be available in the provided context.

---

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

---

UK Students:

• Full Time (1 year): £9,350

---

International Students:

• Full Time (1 year): £17,100

---

Payment:

Students usually support themselves through the postgraduate loan, private savings, family support or sponsorship from an employer. For advice and guidance on your funding options, contact the Money Advice team at moneyadvice@glos.ac.uk or call 01242 714535. UoG graduates receive 15% off postgraduate tuition fees. Terms apply.