Computer Science with Games Technology BSc (Hons)

On this BCS-accredited degree you will develop advanced knowledge of game engine architecture, computer graphics and game design.
 

You will develop a firm foundation in programming and development, before specialising with topics such as games technology and digital signal processing.
 

You will gain the skills needed for a career in the thriving computer games sector, applying your technical computing expertise in a creative and in-demand industry.
 

• Learn a broad range of programming languages and cutting-edge games programming techniques

• Get coding quickly in your first year with our two-week coding marathon

• Boost your employability with an optional one-year work placement: past students have worked for Sony, PlayStation, Disney, Microsoft and Goldhawk Interactive

• Develop commercially valuable knowledge for your future career, including industry-standard game engines that power game development

• Study in City’s computing labs, which include the latest hardware and software, such as state-of-art NVidia GPUs

• Gain three years of professional experience with our innovative Professional Pathway Scheme, combining paid employment and study

• Get industry recognition for the quality of your degree with BSC and TIGA accreditation.
   

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional and on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer.
 

This course is also accredited by TIGA, a non-profit UK trade association representing the UK’s games industry.
 

Course content
 

During your Computer Science with Games Technology BSc degree you will work individually and in groups, developing creativity and problem-solving skills in response to real-world computing problems.
 

Year 1
 

Study our common first year for all our computer science students, learning six core topics including operating systems, web development and Java.

• Introduction to Algorithms (15 Credits)

• Mathematics for Computing (15 Credits)

• Systems Architecture (15 Credits)

• Programming in Java (30 Credits)

• Databases (15 Credits)

• Operating Systems (15 Credits)

• Computer Science, Ethics & Society (15 credits)
   

  Year 2
   

  Deepen your knowledge of computer science with core modules such as games technology and object-orientated analysis. Boost your professional skills with a team project.

• Data Structures and Algorithms (15 Credits)

• Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (15 Credits)

• Professional Development in IT (15 Credits)

• Team Project (30 Credits)

• Games Technology (15 Credits)

• Programming in C++ (15 Credits)

• Work Based Project (30 Credits)

• Continuing Professional Development in IT (15 Credits)

• Computer Networks (15 Credits)
   

  Year 3
   

  Study advanced games technology and choose from a wide range of elective modules – including computer graphics and introduction to AI – to tailor your course to your future career plans. 

• Individual Project (45 Credits)

• Advanced Games Technology (15 Credits)

• Language Processors (15 Credits)

• Advanced Databases (15 Credits)

• Computer Graphics (15 Credits)

• Theory of Computation (15 Credits)

• Professional Experience (Placement) Placement Reports (30 Credits)

• Data Visualization (15 Credits)

• Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming (15 Credits)

• Advanced Programming - Concurrency (15 Credits)

• Functional Programming (15 Credits)

• Cloud Computing (15 Credits)

• Information Security Fundamentals (15 Credits)

• Computer Vision (15 Credits)

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 Credits)

• Programming and Mathematics for AI (15 Credits)

• Agents and Multi Agents Systems (15 Credits)

• User Centred Systems (15 Credits)

• Semantic Web Technologies and Knowledge Graphs (15 credits)

• Cloud Technology for Business Transformation (15 credits)

• Project Management (15 credits)
   

  Placement
   

  Students have the opportunity to follow two placement routes: a one year placement or the Professional Pathway scheme. The one year placement can be undertaken following successful completion of year 2.
  
  Students can join the Professional Pathway scheme after successful completion of year 1 (early entry) or after successful completion of year 2 or a one year placement (late entry).

• UK
   

  A-level:

  ABB
   

  Tariff:

  128 UCAS tariff points
   

  International Baccalaureate:

  31 points including 5 in Mathematics at Higher or Standard Level.
   

  BTEC:

  D*DD (IT/numerate subjects only)
   

  GCSE:

  A minimum of grade 6 (B) in Mathematics and grade 4 (C) in English Language in addition to other outlined requirements.

  In addition to our other entry requirements, City also accepts T-levels with the following grades:

  • T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development – Distinction overall and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics.
     

  Contextual offers

  We apply a contextual admissions process for UK undergraduate applicants who have been in care or are the first in their family to enter Higher Education. Those who are eligible may receive a conditional offer with reduced entry requirements, typically two grades lower for A-levels and one grade (or eight tariff points) for BTEC or mixed qualifications.

  Read our contextual admissions policy for eligibility criteria and further information.
   

  Mixed qualifications

  Typically the only scenario where we make conditional offers expressed as UCAS tariff points is when an applicant presents mixed qualifications, most typically a combination of A-levels and a BTEC qualification.

  In this instance, we may make a tariff point offer to present the applicant with more flexibility on equivalencies. In this case, please be aware that we may still ask for a specific score across certain qualifications and subjects. E.g. 'This offer is conditional on you achieving 128 tariff points. This must include A-level Mathematics at grade B.'
   

  Subject exclusions

  We do not accept General Studies and Critical Thinking. These subjects will not be included in any conditional offer we make.
   

  Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

  We welcome applications from students who are completing relevant EPQ Projects. Whilst we recognise the value of these projects in preparing students for independent learning at university, the EPQ is unlikely to form part of any conditional offer we make.

  The EPQ will also not lower the specifics of any conditional offer we choose to make. We will consider the EPQ as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  AS levels

  We recognise that there will be differences of opportunity varying by school and college. As not all students will have the opportunity to sit AS Level exams, it is unlikely we will include AS Level grades in any offer we choose to make. Where students have completed an AS Level subject, we will consider this as part of the holistic assessment of the application and it could be used to form part of our final decision at Confirmation stage.
   

  University preparation programmes

  If you do not qualify for direct entry, you may wish to take a foundation programme first. These programmes are designed to prepare students for entry to City's undergraduate courses.
   

  Access to Higher Education

  Access to Higher Education will be considered when combined with substantial work or other experience.

   

  English language requirements
   

  If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

  IELTS:

  6.0 overall, to include 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components

Fees for year 2022/23
 

UK

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£18,210

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2022/ 23 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

You will develop expert knowledge for a career in games development. You’ll be able to design and develop software, and work with others to create quality products.
 

As a technical specialist in the gaming industry, you may work with a large multinational gaming company or an independent producer.

You could be:

• creating or reviewing code using languages such as C++

• quality testing and debugging programmes to improve gameplay

• working collaboratively with team members to solve problems.
   

Your broad knowledge of computer science and sophisticated programming skills mean you will also be attractive to employers in other industries.
 

Game Design & Development Placements
 

In recent years students from our computer science courses have been able to obtain placements at leading companies within their chosen field such as Goldhawk Interactive, Sony, PlayStation, Disney and Microsoft.
 

The School has its own dedicated placements team that provides on-hand placement and internship support and guidance for students throughout their studies. You can undertake one of the following placement schemes:

• One-year placement - these are taken after you have successfully completed your second or third year of studies; students work between nine and fifteen months on placement before returning to City to complete their final year;

• Summer internships - these can be taken every summer on completion of the academic year.
   

Our dedicated team of placement specialists, the Professional Liaison Unit, has extensive experience in helping students to secure placement employment across a range of industries. The team also has longstanding relationships with an impressive and diverse range of companies spanning both large and small organisations including start-ups in Tech City.
 

Placements are highly encouraged at City; students that complete a placement year benefit from gaining professional experience working on real-life projects and are also more likely to; achieve higher grades, secure a graduate-level job and earn a higher salary.