Computer Game Development (with Foundation Year)

Why choose this course?
This course is designed to develop strong technical game development and project management skills to enhance your employability.

The team work closely with organisations such as UK Games Fund, Games Wales and BAFTA Cymru to ensure that our students always have access to cutting-edge industry-related training and knowledge.

We are home to the innovative Games Talent Wales programme and a UK regional Tranzfuser hub that is sponsored and supported by the UK Games Fund and UK Games Talent. Our business incubation centre is home to several award-winning student owned game studios.

With more than a decade of evolution behind it, students on this course will:
Develop the technical skills that underpin games design, programming and the technical game art pipeline.
Enjoy the benefits of close industry engagement with regular visits, notable guest speakers, presentations, discussion groups and social events.
Gain valuable experience and insight into the game development process and the management of an independent game studio.
Benefit from a personal mentor with games development experience to help develop your skills and knowledge.
Have access to our in-house business incubation centre and the latest tools and technology in a specialist game development studio.
Develop a professional game design portfolio and critical employability skills.

Key Course Features:
Our purpose-built Centre for the Creative Industries features specialist facilities, such as Game labs and studios with software such as Unreal Engine 5, Unity, Maya, Mudbox, Substance Painter/Designer, Visual Studio and Creative Cloud for creativity the wide spectrum of game production.
Develop technical expertise across a variety of programming languages and software to implement complex mechanics in fully realised game products.
Regular contact with game industry professionals through guest lectures, conferences, and national events.
You will be taught by an award-winning teaching team with professional industry backgrounds and experience.
Learn how to manage a professional game development team using industry-standard methodologies and practice.
Work with the latest tools and technology in two specialist game development studios dedicated to designing, production, motion capture and VR.
The course has an excellent track record for graduate employment with many ex-students going on to work at some of the world's most recognisable game studios.
Gain valuable experience and insight into the game production process and the management of an independent game studio.
Benefit from a personal mentor with games development experience to help develop your skills and knowledge.
Support for indie company spin out through support, advise and potential funding through Games Talent Wales
Develop your professional, communication, and entrepreneurial skills so that you are well equipped to enter a diverse and rapidly changing industry.

What you will study
YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
This year of study ensures that students from all subject backgrounds and life experiences get a foundational course of study that both prepares for subject specific and wider, university skills at an undergraduate level. You will spend time with a subject specific teaching team and a wider support network to ensure you get the support for a wide range of skills. You will be trained with game industry-standard techniques and software and will have the opportunity to collaboratively create fun and engaging game products.

MODULES:
• Games Studies
• A Day In The Life
• Study Skills for Success
• Game Design Fundamentals
• Game Design Project
• Collaborative Practice

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
In level 4, you will be introduced to a variety of themes that relate to the development of game products across technical and design modules along with opportunities expand on your skills in a full game project. You will begin studying game design, 3D software and C++ programming in the first semester, and build on this to utilise Unreal Engine in semester 2 to create narratively inspired environments and trailers.

MODULES
• Game Design and Interaction
• Game Asset Production
• Programming Fundamentals
• Game Environments & Narrative Design
• Games Technology
• Game Industry and Agile Production

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)
In the first semester, you will study two specialist modules and explore the world of programming and developing games in a more detailed way, including starting to create C++ based game projects with Unreal Engine. In the second semester, the focus will shift to student-led, multi-disciplinary 3D game project in which you will be required to manage and deliver a significant vertical slice of a 3D game whilst maintaining a professional management methodology.

MODULES
• Games Programming
• Mobile Game Development
• Asset Production for Game Engines
• Serious Game Design
• Group Project
• Indie Studio Management

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)
The final year of the course will further build on your subject specialisms, as the course starts to explore what graduate opportunities you have in the games industry – whether that be in a larger studio or in your own indie studio. You will have final core and specialist training modules; however, the area of development will be through the large-scale games project which will run from the start of the year until the summer.

MODULES:
• Game Industry Specialist
• Advanced Games Programming
• Advanced Asset Production and Technical Art
• Advanced Game Design and User Engagement
• Project

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Teaching & Assessment
Game development students are assessed in a variety of ways over the course of their undergraduate studies. The balance between the different forms of assessment is determined by the different aims and learning outcomes of the modules.

Assessment methods include the production of digital (and non-digital) games, writing technical and academic reports, compiling and analysing production data, giving presentations, writing code, producing 3D models and audio files.

At higher levels of the course, students will also be required to provide statistical evidence of work hours with supporting evidence as part of key assessment outcomes.

Independent learning is an important aspect of all modules, as it enables students to develop both their subject-specific and key skills. Independent learning is promoted through the use of digital management tools such as Jira, and through feedback given to students, which takes several forms including small group and one-to-one discussions.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.