BSc(Hons) Games Technology

Bsc(hons) games technology gives you a foundation in problem solving, programming (using c++) and software design for the entertainment industry. Explore artificial intelligence, 3d environments, virtual reality (vr) and effective software design for games. 

Gain an understanding of the history and theories around play, games and user engagement. As UWE Bristol is a member of The PlayStation® First Academic Programme, students can gain experience of developing for Sony PlayStation using their official development kits.

• Learn through practical projects, creating playable scenarios that consolidate new concepts and applications.
• Attend talks from visiting industry professionals and apply learning through individual and group programming projects.
• Gain valuable real-world experience and a professional portfolio through placements that prepare you for a career in the gaming industry.
• You may also have the chance to apply for a BAFTA Scholarship, which can offer you financial support towards your living expenses at university.

Where can it take me?

• Our graduates work across AAA developers, including Rockstar North, Frontier Developments and Naughty Dog, and local developers such as Opposable Games and Mobile Pie.
• Outside of the games industry, you'll find career opportunities in software engineering, simulations, digital media, mobile device applications, web development and IT.

Why study games technology?

• As well as providing entertainment, games offer creative ways to engage with content.
• The need to facilitate this - along with the evolution of the internet, multimedia and mobile devices - has led to significant growth in the games industry.
• With new and exciting game applications in public services, education, business and healthcare, there is growing demand for professionals who can apply games concepts across a range of industries.

Year one
You'll study:

• Game Development Evolution
• Games in C++
• Games Technology: 101
• Principles of 3D Environments.

Year two
You'll study:

• Game Engine Programming
• Gameplay Programming
• More Games in C++
• Play and Games.

Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.

• You'll complete a Professional Experience or International Experience module.
• See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year
You'll study:

• Advanced Technologies
• Commercial Games Development
• Comprehensive Creative Technologies Project.
• The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

• We encourage you to become a proactive, independent learner.
• Learn through a mix of face-to-face lectures and tutorials, virtual learning environments, practical work and independent project work. We also adopt a studio model of working, to provide flexibility in individual study approaches, whilst also mirroring industry practice to help make our graduates ready and able to work in professional environments.
• Study the history of electronic games, investigate current technological developments and create your first playable scenarios in a dedicated authoring environment.
• Examine theory behind play, games and user engagement. Find out how software development delves into game engine architecture and advanced C++ programming concepts, as well as level design and the simulation/emulation of real world environments.
• Develop individual areas of specialism across a range of advanced technologies. These include graphics, physics, artificial intelligence, networking and multi-processor programming.
• We encourage all students to take part in local and national game jams as these provide excellent networking and learning opportunities. At UWE Bristol we've also been hosts for the Global Game Jam for several years, as one of the UK's largest official sites. Alumni, industry and students from across a wide variety of courses at UWE Bristol get involved at the event and every year hundreds of games are created.
• We regularly host presentations and industry guest speakers from professionals in the games industry, who share their knowledge, best practice and industry trends. 

Showcase your work

• Show your creations at our annual degree show, with the best projects going on to exhibit at the yearly Develop conference in Brighton.

Assessment

• You'll be assessed through a mix of practical exercises and portfolios of work, along with individual and group projects and examinations.
• Where possible, assessments will contribute towards a graduate portfolio of work that you can demonstrate to potential employers.

Professional accreditation

• The course is accredited by TIGA, who introduced the TIGA Accreditation process to ensure universities and colleges produce graduates with industry relevant skills. 
• The TIGA Accreditation system accredits the best university courses, enabling both prospective students and game developers to identify courses that are producing industry ready graduates.

Placements

• Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you highly employable on graduation.
• If you choose the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
• We have good relationships with independent developers in and around Bristol. They provide opportunities ranging from working on specific games to software development placements. Past students have worked in mobile games and applications.
• In-house studio PlayWest also provides opportunities to work on live industry projects, including paid undergraduate and graduate internships.
• You'll get help to find your placement and support throughout from our Placement Team and award-winning careers service.

Study facilities

• Develop real-world practical skills and bring your game ideas to life in our modern facilities.
• Design and develop games in dedicated games studios. With over 40 bespoke workstations, they provide the latest gaming hardware and industry-standard software, including powerful GPU’s, duel 4k displays and group study spaces.
• Access a specialist group learning and development space with games hardware including PlayStation 5 development kits, gaming interfaces and the latest devices.