BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production

This programme has exclusive use of our purpose-built games studio inside our £19m innovation and entrepreneurship grid building. This studio comes equipped with the latest development hardware, allowing the development of modern console or vr experiences. 

As there are only a handful of universities worldwide capable of offering such design-led programmes, this studio provides a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.

Introducing our ground-breaking new undergraduate programme at Heriot-Watt University, BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production, exclusively launching in the vibrant city of Edinburgh.

Led by acclaimed industry expert Dr. Thomas Methven, a Bafta award-winning indie developer, you'll acquire sought-after skills in game design, 3D graphics, UI/UX, and more. Our expert teaching team will guide you through gaining real-world experience in designing, building, and releasing your own games. 

In recent years, Edinburgh has firmly established itself as a global hub for the gaming industry, surpassing major sectors such as AI, Data Science, and Cyber Security. This undergraduate programme seeks to bridge the gap within Edinburgh's thriving gaming ecosystem, driven by industry giants like Rockstar North, Epic Games, and Unity Technologies.

Example of Gaming careers you could work in:

• Game Developer: Develops the code and software components of video games.
• Game Designer: Develops the core game functions, creating the rules, gameplay, and flow throughout the game.
• Game User Experience (UI/UX) Designer: Enhances the overall user experience and designs how users interface with the game.
• Game System/Engine/Graphics Developer: Develops the low-level components of a modern game, which supports the gameplay.
• Game Producer: Manages the development process, ensuring games are completed on time and within budget.
• Game Writer/Narrative Designer: Crafts the story and narrative elements of video games.
• Game AI Programmer: Develops artificial intelligence systems to control non-player characters and game behaviours.

Your student experience
Our Expertise

• Led by Scottish BAFTA Winning Games Developer Thomas Methven: indie developer of SOLAS 128
• Graduate showcase event: Every year we organize a graduate showcase, providing our students with an opportunity to demonstrate the games they've created to the industry and Scottish gaming community.
• Built on industrial engagement: This degree was designed around the requirements of industry ensuring you are ready to take your next step into industry or indie development.
• A leading university: Heriot-Watt University was one of the first universities in the UK to offer a Computer Science undergraduate meaning we boast a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to research and teaching in this field.
• State-of-the-art labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based in the GRID; including the Games Studio and the university’s first VR labs.

Your Learning Environment

• Edinburgh's gaming legacy: Edinburgh has a rich gaming history and the most games companies of any Scottish city. It is home to a multitude of studios, indie developers, and related tech companies. It's a city where innovation, creativity, and technology converge, making it the perfect backdrop for your journey into the gaming world.
• An innovative teaching approach: Integrating portfolio construction, Computer Science fundamentals, and practical experiences with industry collaborators.
• Networking and community opportunities: Being in Edinburgh means you're in the heart of the action. You'll have unparalleled opportunities to meet fellow creatives, with regular industry events, conferences, and meetups that allow you to connect with professionals, hobbyist, and potential employers in the gaming field.
• Inspiration all around: Edinburgh's stunning landscapes, historical architecture, and vibrant cultural scene provide boundless inspiration for game design and storytelling. The city's unique blend of tradition and modernity is the perfect environment for nurturing your creativity.
• Internship and job prospects: Many gaming companies and startups in Edinburgh actively seek fresh talent. The proximity to these opportunities enhances your chances of securing internships and job placements during and after your studies, setting you on a path to a successful career in the gaming industry.

Year 1

Mandatory September

• Software Development 1
• Introduction to Interaction Design
• Introduction to Games
• Logic and Proof

Mandatory January

• Software Development 2
• Discrete Mathematics
• Introduction to Computer Systems
• Web Design and Databases

Year 2 
Mandatory September

• Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
• User-Centred Experimental Design
• Programming Languages
• Games Engines

Mandatory January

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Hardware-Software Interface
• Database Management Systems
• Introduction to Software Engineering

Year 3
Mandatory September

• Software Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Agents
• Data Communications and Networking
• 3D Graphics and Animation

Mandatory January

• Professional Development
• Operating Systems & Concurrency
• Games Prototyping
• Computer Games Programming

Year 4
Mandatory September

• Research Methods & Requirements Engineering
• Game Development Group Project A
• Game Development Group Project B

Optional September

• Biologically Inspired Computation
• Rigorous Methods for Software Engineering
• Computer Network Security
• Intelligent Robotics
• Data Mining and Machine Learning

Mandatory January

• Design & Implementation
• Project Testing and Presentation
• Distributed and Parallel Technologies
• Advanced Human Computer Interaction