Introduction to BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production

The BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production programme at Heriot-Watt University is a groundbreaking undergraduate degree that equips students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the gaming industry. Led by acclaimed industry expert Dr. Thomas Methven, a Bafta award-winning indie developer, students will gain real-world experience in designing, building, and releasing their own games.

Key Information

• UCAS code: G4GD
• Level: Undergraduate
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: BSc (Hons)
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 3-4 years
• Location: Edinburgh
• Start date: September

Our Games Studio

The programme has exclusive use of the purpose-built Games Studio inside the £19m innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building. This studio is equipped with the latest development hardware, allowing students to develop modern console or VR experiences. The studio provides a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.

Career Opportunities

Example of gaming careers that students could work in:

• Game Developer: Develops the code and software components of video games.
• Game Designer: Develops the core game functions, creating the rules, gameplay, and flow throughout the game.
• Game User Experience (UI/UX) Designer: Enhances the overall user experience and designs how users interface with the game.
• Game System/Engine/Graphics Developer: Develops the low-level components of a modern game, which supports the gameplay.
• Game Producer: Manages the development process, ensuring games are completed on time and within budget.
• Game Writer/Narrative Designer: Crafts the story and narrative elements of video games.
• Game AI Programmer: Develops artificial intelligence systems to control non-player characters and game behaviours.

Your Student Experience

• Led by Scottish BAFTA Winning Games Developer Thomas Methven: indie developer of SOLAS 128
• Graduate showcase event: Every year, the university organizes a graduate showcase, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate the games they've created to the industry and Scottish gaming community.
• Built on industrial engagement: This degree was designed around the requirements of the industry, ensuring students are ready to take their next step into the industry or indie development.
• A leading university: Heriot-Watt University was one of the first universities in the UK to offer a Computer Science undergraduate, boasting a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to research and teaching in this field.
• State-of-the-art labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, the university has created state-of-the-art labs based in the GRID, including the Games Studio and the university's first VR labs.

Course Content

September Intake - Edinburgh

Year 1

• Mandatory September:
  • Software Development 1
  • Introduction to Interaction Design
  • Introduction to Games
  • Logic and Proof
• Mandatory January:
  • Software Development 2
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Introduction to Computer Systems
  • Web Design and Databases

Year 2

• Mandatory September:
  • Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
  • User-Centred Experimental Design
  • Programming Languages
  • Games Engines
• Mandatory January:
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Hardware-Software Interface
  • Database Management Systems
  • Introduction to Software Engineering

Year 3

• Mandatory September:
  • Software Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
  • Data Communications and Networking
  • Computer Graphics
• Mandatory January:
  • Professional Development
  • Operating Systems & Concurrency
  • Games Prototyping
  • Games Programming

Year 4

• Mandatory September:
  • Research Methods & Requirements Engineering
  • Game Development Group Project A
  • Game Development Group Project B
• Optional September:
  • Biologically Inspired Computation
  • Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
  • Computer Network Security
  • Intelligent Robotics
  • Data Mining and Machine Learning
• Mandatory January:
  • Design & Implementation
  • Project Testing and Presentation
  • Distributed and Parallel Technologies
  • Advanced Human Computer Interaction

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: £9,790
  • International: £25,808
• Scholarships and bursaries: Available for students from England, Northern Ireland, or Wales, including the Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements:
  • Highers: ABBB (over two sittings), including Maths at B
  • A-Levels: BBC, including Maths at B
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points, including Maths at Higher Level 5
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths
  • HNC: B in graded unit, in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6
  • HND: BB in graded units, in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6
• Minimum entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings), including Maths at B
  • A-Levels: BCC, including Maths at B
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points, including Maths at Higher Level 5
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths
  • HNC: B in graded unit, in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6
  • HND: BB in graded units, in a relevant subject, including sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5

Employability

• Work and study: 83% of graduates are working, 1% are studying, and 6% are studying and working 15 months after graduating
• Salary: The average salary of students 15 months after graduating is £33,000
• Potential career paths: Information Technology Professionals

Heriot-Watt University

---

Overview:

Heriot-Watt University is a research-focused institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as an online presence. It is known for its career-focused degrees and strong links with industry. Heriot-Watt is highly regarded for its research, with a significant portion ranked world-leading and internationally excellent.

---

Services Offered:

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Heriot-Watt offers a diverse and international student community, with one-third of its Edinburgh Campus students coming from outside the UK. The university provides a range of facilities across its campuses, including healthcare, libraries, food and drink, sports centers, and more. Students can participate in clubs and activities, and the university offers accommodation options near its campuses.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Career-focused degrees:

Heriot-Watt is ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability and its graduates are first in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Global reach:

The university has campuses across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, providing students with a truly international experience.

Strong research:

Heriot-Watt is valued for its pioneering research, which is informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Diverse student community:

The university boasts a diverse international student community, fostering a multicultural learning environment.

Beautiful campuses:

Heriot-Watt's campuses are located in stunning settings, offering students a unique and inspiring learning environment.

---

Academic Programs:

Heriot-Watt offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences and Business
• Art and Design
• Languages and Culture

---

Other:

Heriot-Watt is committed to sustainability and is actively working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The university also offers a personalized virtual experience through its online tour platform, allowing prospective students to explore its campuses virtually.