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Games Programming
- Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Awarded by:
- The University of Northampton
Course summary
The BSc Games Programming course is designed in such a way as to provide students with all the knowledge and skills required to have a successful career in the Computer Games industry. The Computer Games industry has developed throughout the decades of its existence a reputation of being one of the most competitive and companies are constantly looking for highly creative people possessing a passion about creating computer games.
In this course you will focus on the programming and development of computer games starting from the foundation principles of computer games programming. In this course we insist also on the principle of “theory put into practice” and with the assistance of our bright new, state-of-the-art equipped, computer labs you will have every opportunity to experience this principle materialising, gaining both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills you need to develop first-rate computer games. You will have an opportunity to fully explore other key computer games elements like development of ideas, planning, problem-solving and the economics of creating a complete computer game ready to be launched in the market.
You will study core modules, which cover concepts and skills from fundamental to advance, including: Computer Systems, Problem Solving & Programming, Computer Games Programming, Programming for “Unity3D” Game Engine (fundamental to advance), Programming for “Unreal 4” Game Engine (fundamental to advance), Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Techniques, Simulation & Dynamics, Internet Technology and Computer Games Techniques. 95% of final year Computer games and animation students at The University of Northampton agreed they were satisfied with the course, while 100% of students agreed that staff have made the subject interesting.*
By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
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You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
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Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).
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At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2024 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2024***
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Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
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Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
The Northampton Employment Promise
- We’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.
✱ National Student Survey (NSS) 2023
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information
✱✱✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
Modules
Stage 1:
• Fundamentals of Computing Systems (compulsory)
• Video Games Architecture and Optimisation (compulsory)
• Game Techniques 1 (compulsory)
• Problem Solving & Programming (compulsory)
• Group Project 1 (Games) (compulsory)
• Database Design and Development (compulsory)
Stage 2:
• Indie Games Development (compulsory)
• Native Programming and Compilation (compulsory)
• Modern Application Development (compulsory)
• Graphics 1 (compulsory)
• Game Techniques 2 (compulsory)
• Group Project 2 (Games) (compulsory)
Optional Placement Year
• Learning Through Work (WBL) (designated)
Stage 3:
• Games Dissertation (compulsory)
• Simulation and Dynamics (compulsory)
• Advanced AI and Applications (compulsory)
• Graphics 2 (compulsory)
• Game Techniques 3 (compulsory)
• Group Project 3 (compulsory)
Module information is quoted for 2023 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.
Assessment method
Assessment is a mixture of studio based design projects (continual assessment), portfolio development, and written assignments.
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- I610
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Northampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
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Learn what it's like to study at University of Northampton. From key stats to campus highlights, open days, and more - find everything you need to know here.
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- I610
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Chat to student ambassadors
Discover what it's like to study Games Programming at University of Northampton: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
POWERED BY 
Nadeline
University of NorthamptonBsc Accounting & FinanceHi! My name is Nadeline and I’m from Indonesia. Aside from being an Accounting & Finance student, I love to dance and have been a part of the UON Dance Team since last year. I also enjoy taking a walk in the outdoors, going to museums, and shopping! I look forward to helping new students as a Unibuddy Ambassador, so feel free to ask me anything! Juliet
University of NorthamptonMsc Project Management (Placement Route)As a project management master's student, I plan to access the free career support platforms provided by the university to enable me to make good grades, increase my employability skills and enhance my career opportunities in the UK. I am passionate about social impact. Becoming a UON Changemaker Level 3 professional, Student Union Committee member and a Unibuddy Ambassador has allowed me to interact with different people from different cultures, understand cultures, corporate social responsibility, sustainability and gain career opportunities. It feels good to experience a welcoming community that promotes inclusion and diversity and appreciates projects that achieve the UN Goals. Pranav
University of NorthamptonMaster of Business Administration (MBA)I am from India, the land of culture and diversity and I love trying new things, I have a background in Economics with a minor in Business, I'm now pursuing MBA Finance and plan to gain valuable work experience in the UK. Fatemah
University of NorthamptonBsc Occupational TherapyJambo/Hello! my name is Fatemah, an aspiring occupational therapist from Mombasa, Kenya. I am in my second year of university and eager to see where this path takes me. Whether its pursuing my passions or serving as a part time ambassador, i am fully committed to embracing new experiences and opportunities. I look forward to connecting with you all :) Katy
University of NorthamptonBa Business ManagementHi, my name is Katy and I’m studying business management specialising in Human Resources. In the future I look to be working as a managing director. I have travelled all over the UK for work purposes and love the atmosphere of Northampton - although I’ll always have my northern roots! I’ve worked at the university in a variety of roles and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with prospective students. Jacqui
University of NorthamptonBsc PsychologyI am 50 years of age, originally from Glasgow in Scotland and left school in 1989, with 8 O' Grades (GCSE’s) and 5 Higher (A Levels). Desperate for a new adventure and to start working and earning, I applied for a job in Television Production in London. I successfully worked for an independent company in Soho, initially as a Production Runner, progressing finally to Production Manager. I returned to Glasgow for a year, to work for BBC Scotland as Production Manager, before taking time out to travel in 1999. I travelled throughout Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and America for 2 years. On return, I moved to Brighton, East Sussex where I worked for American Express, a lifestyle magazine called Venus, and as a volunteer for the Brighton Unemployed Family project, between 2001 and 2012. Brighton is where I met my husband and went on to have two children, a girl, and a boy. Ava who is now 15 years old and Lochlan who is 13. 8 years ago, my Husbands job transferred to their other site near Leamington, bringing the family to the midlands. We now live in the village of Weedon, a half-hour drive, west of Northampton. Since living in Weedon I have completed 7 years working in primary education. I began working in Special Needs as a 1:1 and in my 5th year at Weedon Primary, I completed an HLTA course through Northampton University, qualifying me to teach years 1 to 6 in primary school. I have trained in Autism, Attachment Disorder, Dyslexia, Speech, and language among others. I ran nurture groups and introduced a kinaesthetic approach to a lot of my teaching, after researching its efficacy in primary schools. During my school career, I have been fascinated by how children learn. Some by doing, others by seeing. I have come to love the continual questions from children and the challenge and adventure of not always knowing the answers. Throughout my working life, I have loved interacting with people, obsessing over human behaviour and how the mind works and influences decisions. My favourite literature often tackles aspects of psychology and I find it an extremely exciting and alluring subject. Throughout the lockdown period, it became apparent that I was not fully satisfied with my career and felt I was ready to learn and take on a new challenge. My initial thought was to go into Educational Psychology but with more investigation, I decided it was time to move away from education and start something new. My next thought was counselling, which I am still very much keen on exploring and could see a possible future career. As a volunteer in Brighton Unemployed Centre Family Project, I assisted low-income families and homeless people, realising my ability to listen sensitively and offer solace. Completing a course for the British College of Journalism a few years ago, I gained skills in reporting and analysing as well as fuelling my curiosity in psychology. I wrote articles on social, biological, and cognitive psychology. From a piece on music and memory to another on psychology in pain management. Having completed a year of the single honours psychology course I now feel the career direction I want to go into is counselling psychology. I have recently secured a part-time job locally with the group of Northampton psychiatric hospitals (NHFT) and ideally, would love to complete my master's within the NHS but if not I will probably stay at the University of Northampton to complete my master's in counselling.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 30 credits
Scottish Higher - BBBB
AS
Accepted towards tariff requirements
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Accepted towards tariff requirements
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Accepted towards tariff requirements
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
Accepted towards tariff requirements
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
Accepted towards tariff requirements
Scottish Advanced Higher - BCC
Individual Advanced Highers can be accepted with Scottish Highers towards tariff requirements
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
Extended Project
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M3, M3
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
Accepted towards tariff requirements
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
Accepted towards tariff requirements
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
Accepted towards tariff requirements
AQA Level 3 (Foundation) Technical Level (360 glh)
Accepted towards tariff/grade requirements
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (540 glh)
Accepted towards tariff requirements
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)
Accepted on its own at Distinction Distinction or towards tariff/grade requirements with other qualifications
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh) - DMM
T Level - Pass (C and above)
GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (or C) or equivalent is required. Please note Key Skills or Functional Skills qualifications and their equivalents are not accepted.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades students were previously accepted with - learn more. It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
University of Northampton
The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus
University Drive
Northampton
NN1 5PH
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Course Enquiries
Email:study@northampton.ac.uk
Phone:0300 303 2772
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