Computer Games Technology

This is a Connected Degree

Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview

As a student on our TIGA-accredited BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree, you'll develop the skills to turn ideas and concepts into reality, using industry-standard design and development techniques.

Our graduates are working on big titles at Rockstar and Electronic Arts, classics at Rare, and developing homegrown Indie Games.

This is your opportunity to join them.

Course highlights

• Learn from computer games development experts with extensive knowledge, experience and industry connections

• Stand out from other graduates by studying specialist modules such as psychological theory for game designers and artificial intelligence (AI) in gaming

• Enhance your CV as you apply your skills on real client briefs – past projects have included training simulations for the Royal Navy and virtual reality experiences

• Use the same software as the professionals in some of the most advanced gaming development facilities at any university in the country

• Showcase your skills to employers and network with professionals in the computer games industry by taking part in our annual GameJam event

• Have the chance to set up a company and sell your own games

TIGA accreditation
This course is accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association). This means it has been examined by a panel of industry and academic experts to make sure you develop relevant and up-to-date skills needed by the games and related industries.

Careers and opportunities
With 95% of our graduates finding work within a year after university, you'll be confident to graduate with sought-after skills and knowledge for various careers.

Besides the gaming industry, you can apply the skills you develop to other areas using such technologies – including virtual production, virtual/alternative reality (VR/AR), simulation training and healthcare.

Graduate destinations
Our graduates work at some of the biggest industry names, including:

• Rockstar Games

• Naughty Dog

• Frontier

• Cloud Imperium

• Unity

• Rare

• Codemasters

• Electronic Arts

• Rebellion

• Jagex

• Creative Assembly

• Sumo Digital

• Climax

• Stainless Games

• Playstation Studios

Year 1
Core modules in this year include:

• 3D Modelling
• Code Studio
• Coding and Scripting for Games
• Game Development
• Games Design and Context

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2
Core modules in this year include:

• Gameplay Programming
• Maths For Games
• Programming Application Programming Interfaces
• Project Initiation and Career Management
• Student Enterprise For Games

Optional modules in this year include:

• Creative Technologies Study Exchange
• Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice
• Modern Foreign Language
• Professional Experience
• Program Consoles

Placement year (optional)
On this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years to get valuable experience working in industry. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Year 3
Core modules in this year include:

• Final Year Project
• Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One
• Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two

Optional modules in this year include:

• Advanced Graphics Techniques
• Create Worlds
• Games Research
• Implementing Game Audio
• Motion Capture Applications
• Programming AI for Games
• Psychological Theory for Game Designers
• Targeting Platforms

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

You'll be assessed through:

• practical projects
• work portfolios
• academic and evaluative essays
• multiple choice tests
• oral presentations
• examinations
• case studies

You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

• Year 1 students: 12% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 80% by coursework
• Year 2 students: 17% by written exams, 15% by practical exams and 68% by coursework
• Year 3 students: 23% by practical exams and 77% by coursework

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• The Independent Game Developers' Association