BSc (Hons) Games Development

Join a community of students passionate about achieving a games development bachelor’s degree. This course will enable you to become a proficient game developer and open doors to may game developer job opportunities. 

On successful completion of this programme, you will have the knowledge, understanding and skills to gain graduate-level employment in games development and the software industry in general.

Your studies are designed to provide entry into the core software engineering layer of the digital entertainment industry. From here, you will be able to progress into a wide range of career paths, both technical and managerial. Based on sound software engineering principles, the course will also equip you for a software engineering career in the wider computing industry.

There is a host of British game developers around today and the market is only growing. Becoming accustomed to game development software at Edinburgh Napier University will allow you to compete for highly sought after positions in this exciting industry.

This programme is accredited by ScreenSkills, an industry-led skills body for the screen industries.

• A degree in Games Development prepares you for the technical end of this exciting entertainment industry. This course provides you with opportunities in the games industry, related research and development companies, as well as other screen industries such as VFX and complex data visualisation.
• In your first and second years, you will cover a wide area of computing-related subjects. The emphasis is on building your software development and engineering skills.
• The third year builds on the foundation established in the first two years and lets you apply these skills to games-related problems, like Computer Graphics, Physics-based Animation, Games Engineering or Artificial Intelligence.
• In the final year of the degree, you will study advanced topics like GPU optimisation and complete your honours project.
• Throughout these subjects, you will also be invited to produce artefacts which you can use to start building your portfolio!

How you’ll be taught

• Concepts and techniques are presented in lectures. Practical sessions run in labs are a central part of the learning process.

Assessments

On average 70 percent of the work is assessed through practical projects and 30% through exams.

Work placement

• A year long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in 3rd year which consists of 60 credits.
• In 2nd year, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. A Student Futures Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.
• If students are not undertaking the yearlong placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

What can you do with a BSc (Hons) Games Development degree?

• This course will introduce you to the exciting realm of game design and development, mastering the transdisciplinary skills needed to create immersive gaming experiences that captivate audiences around the world. From coding interactive gameplay mechanics to designing stunning visual effects, you will learn the art and science of game & experience design and development from industry experts. Our course prepares you to join the world of Interactive Experience Designers, a unique interdisciplinary career path which combines creativity and technical knowledge to create innovative and wonderful realities for global audiences. 

With your degree you could work in: 

• Games Design & Development 
• Interactive Experience & Service Design 
• Immersive Mixed Reality Experience Creation  
• Software development 
• Games development 
• Applied Artificial Intelligence 
• Game Technology-enabled Virtual Production 

You will study the latest trends and technologies in game design and gain hands-on experience through game development projects and industry collaborations. As you explore topics such as game & experience design, game engines and immersive technologies, you will acquire the expertise sought after by top game studios and entertainment companies. 

After completing this course, you will emerge as a highly skilled game designer and developer, ready to unleash your creativity and passion in the dynamic world of experience design. Whether you dream of creating a game by yourself or pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment using augmented and virtual reality, our program will empower you to turn your love for gaming into a rewarding and resilient career. 

What does a Games Developer do? 

• As a Games Developer, you will embark on an adventure to create immersive worlds, captivating narratives, and thrilling gameplay experiences that transport players to new realms of excitement and engagement. Whether you are designing characters, crafting environments, or fine-tuning gameplay mechanics, your role will be instrumental in shaping the virtual landscapes that gamers love to explore.  
• From coding character movement and interactions to implementing complex AI behaviours and physics simulations, your expertise in industry standard workflows such as Unity and Unreal Engine will be valuable across multiple fields. You will leverage your understanding of game engines and development frameworks to optimize performance, enhance visual fidelity, and ensure seamless gameplay experiences across different platforms. 
• In addition to gameplay mechanics, you will also be responsible for integrating audio, visual effects, and user interfaces to create a cohesive and immersive player experience. Whether you are designing levels, balancing gameplay, or troubleshooting technical issues, your attention to detail and problem-solving skills will be instrumental in delivering polished and memorable gaming experiences. 
• Collaboration will be at the heart of your journey, as you work in multidisciplinary teams alongside fellow artists, designers, developers to bring your visions to life. You will have the opportunity to leave your mark on the gaming industry, captivating audiences with your innovative ideas and technical expertise.  
• Furthermore, Games Technologies, whether the engines that power immersive visuals, or the cutting-edge innovations that enable engaging interactions, are incredibly adaptable and increasingly applied beyond the games industry. The same tools and workflows you will master as a games developer are increasingly utilised for everything from virtual production for film making & digital cultural heritage, to experience & service design for applications ranging from health and wellbeing to data visualisation, marketing, and AI-powered interactions. Your skills will be sought by multiple interdisciplinary industries seeking to leverage the ubiquitous capabilities of game technology. Gaming may be the start of your journey, but you will never be confined by it. Your knowledge and skills will make you an adaptable and resilient practitioner. 

Popular modules
Year 1

• Computer Systems
• Foundations of Software Design & Development
• Mathematics for Software Engineering
• Data Science with Python
• Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
• Principles of Programming Languages

Year 2

• Database Systems
• Object-Oriented Software Development
• Software Engineering Methods
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Artificial Intelligence
• Web Technologies

Year 3

• Games Engineering
• Creative technology
• 3D Modelling
• 3D Animation
• Computing in Contemporary Society
• Group Project

Year 4

• Computational Intelligence
• Concurrent and Parallel Systems
• Advanced Games Engineering
• Secure Software Development
• Honours Project