BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development with Foundation Year

The bsc (hons) computer games development with foundation year at liverpool john moores university is the ideal course if you are interested in this subject but lack the necessary qualifications to study it at degree level. 

Why study Computer Games Development with Foundation Year at Liverpool John Moores University?

• LJMU ranked 8th in the UK for animation and game design (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
• Dedicated Gaming lab with VR-Ready Workstations, PlayStation Development Kit, Xbox Development Kit , VR (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Playstation VR, Gear VR) Development Kit, Microsoft HoloLens, and Motion Capture System
• Incorporating industry standard curriculum - PlayStation First and Unreal Academic Partner into teaching
• Academic society (LJMU IGDA Academic Chapter) and annual student events such as LJMU Game Showcase and LJMU Game Jam
• Opportunity to undertake a year's paid industrial placement thanks to our links with over 450 local, national and international organisations, including SCEE, Lucid Games, Atomicom,Damibu,Setgo Games, Fish in a Bottle, TribePlay in China
• Regular visits by game industry professionals who offer career and technical advice
• Exciting career opportunities with games development companies

About the Foundation Year

• The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Computer Games Development honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development degree

• Computer games development is a very technically demanding process and developers are required to possess a wide range of technical skills including computer programming, computer graphics and mathematics.
• In addition, they are also expected to have strong knowledge of gaming console and PC hardware architecture. This course will prepare you to be a computer game developer ready to work and succeed in this challenging and exciting industry. 

The topics typically covered in this course include:

• C/C++ computer programming languages
• Applied mathematics for game physics and computer graphics
• Shader-based 3D graphics programming using industry standard API such as OpenGL and DirectX
• Multi-platforms (PC and consoles) gameplay programming, including techniques such as game content pipelining, multi-threading, artificial intelligence, memory management and optimisation
• Game design, level design, game production and digital game content production
• Our Games Technology Lab with its Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles, and industry standard software, together with excellent technical support, mean that you will get plenty of hands-on experience and extensive opportunities to build up a portfolio to show and impress prospective employers.
• The School of Computer Science and Mathematics has strong links with many local, national and international games development companies, including SCEE, Atomicom, Lucid Games, Damibu, Setgo Games, Eutechnyx, and Jagex to name but a few. These employers work with us to ensure that the course is current and up-to-date, and that graduates are able to meet the demands of the games industry for skilled developers.
• Our strong links also mean that you will have plenty of options when you come to choose your work placement. Students have worked in game development companies in many cities, from Liverpool to Kontich in Belgium as well as Cheng-Du in China.

Your Lecturers

• This research-informed and practice-driven course is taught by a team of lecturers who have rich industry background and are research active. All teaching staff have doctoral degrees in their respective areas of expertise and they have professional collaborations with Games industry.
• Staff in the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics actively participates in research to further the development of state-of-the-art computing technologies. Research within the School is recognised internationally in the area of Networked Systems and Security, Computer Entertainment, and Neural Networks with funding from EPSRC, BBC and the European Union.

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

• Accommodation and living expenditure
• Books (should you wish to have your own copies)
• Printing, photocopying and stationery
• PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and Online learning activities)
• Mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
• Field trips (travel and activity costs)
• Placements (travel expenses and living costs)
• Student visas (international students only)
• Study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
• Academic conferences (travel costs)
• Professional-body membership
• Graduation (gown hire etc)