Computer Games Design & Development BSc (Hons) Degree

The computer games design and development degree focuses on developing the relevant and desirable skills needed to pursue a career in the games development industry. 

You can expect industry led course content and will have the option to focus your studies to include specialist topics such as Gameplay, Game Engine and Virtual Reality to become highly employable across different sectors of the games industry. As such, you can graduate with a named award in:

• BSc Computer Games Design and Development (Gameplay)
• BSc Computer Games Design and Development (Game Engine)
• BSc Computer Games Design and Development (Virtual Reality)

You will have access to the latest tools and technologies used in industry such as Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo console development kits along with VR equipment from Oculus, HTC and Valve as well as access to our VR development booths which provide a truly unique learning experience. You’ll even have access to our MAME Arcade Machine and foosball tables which provide a much needed opportunity to let off steam between lectures in our newly refurbished and modern study spaces. Our industry experienced staff members will support you not only in developing your skills but also your confidence beyond the degree programme through our more personal teaching methods. This helps you more easily adapt to academic life and provides a real sense of community.

Given that the video game industry is the largest entertainment industry (ERA, 2022), there has never been a better time to pursue a career in games. BSc Computer Games Design and Development will set you on a path to do exactly that. As the course content is continually evaluated to ensure you are equipped with the latest and most desirable skills needed for industry it’s no wonder that our graduates have gone on to secure roles within well-known gaming organisations such as Ubisoft, Cloud Imperium, Kwalee, PlayEmber, Lively, Sumo Digital and many more.

Foundation Year

• ​This degree can be studied as a three-year full-time degree or a four-year degree that includes a year of foundational study. Our foundation year is intended to prepare you for your subsequent years of studying, offering you the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence.

The foundation year will be relevant to:

• Students who have not achieved the required A-level points (or equivalent) score to enter the first year of the degree programme.
• Mature students who have been out of the formal education system for some time.

Degree

• During the degree course you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and learn a wide range of skills. This includes how games are designed and implemented, how game engines work, game mechanics, AI, mobile and multi-player game development. You will also learn a number of programming languages, including C++. This allows you to understand how the internals of a game work and gives you the flexibility to realise your own game design ideas. Game systems today, from mobile phones to consoles, use a graphics card (Graphics Processing Unit, or GPU) to create the effects you see on the screen. Programming the GPU is important in modern games development, and this also forms an integral part of the games development programme at Cardiff Met.
• The degree programme is comprised of a number of compulsory modules, with a range of options in the second and final year to develop your specific interests and expertise.
• Students also have the option to complete a year-long placement in industry between Years 2 and 3.
• All modules are 20 credits, unless specified.

Year 1:

• Architectures and Operating Systems
• Principles of Programming
• Introduction to Games Industry Practice
• Game Systems Fundamentals
• Applied Maths for Game Development
• Explore

Year 2:
Compulsory modules:

• Game Engine Development
• Designing and Implementing Game Mechanics
• Real-Time Computer Graphics
• Level Design and Game Asset Creation
• Expand

Optional modules:

• Networks and Security
• Game Tool Development
• Navigating Virtual Worlds

Year 3:
Compulsory modules:

• Advanced Mechanics
• Generating Virtual Worlds
• Development Project (40 credits)
• Multiplatform Game Development

Optional modules (two of the following):

• Mobile Game Development
• Industrial Work Experience
• Network Multiplayer Games
• Advanced Rendering

Pathways

Students who wish to follow a pathway are required to take a 20 credit pathway specialist module in Years 2 and 3. These modules are defined as follows:

Gameplay

• Year 2: Game Tool Development
• Year 3: Mobile Game Development and Advanced Mechanics

Game Engine

• Year 2: Networks & Security
• Year 3: Advanced Rendering and Network Multi-player Games

Virtual Reality

• Year 2: Navigating Virtual Worlds
• Year 3: Visual Simulation

A student-centred approach to learning and teaching is encouraged through the use of a broad range of teaching strategies, such as technical labs and individual and group projects. This is further enhanced by real world case studies and guest talks from industry experts, and supported by Teams and Moodle, our virtual learning environments.

Due to the nature of the programme, online and campus-based practical workshops are key to developing students’ technical understanding and abilities, underpinned by solid theoretical foundations. Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and understanding through directed self-study and independent learning time – in additional to the timetabled delivery – so as to develop a professional portfolio of project work and software artefacts as they move into graduate employment.

Students are supported academically and pastorally by the Programme Team, led by the Programme Director. Each student is also appointed a Personal Tutor from within the School, who provides a point of contact for general academic and pastoral issues. Students are also supported by Student Coaches; the Student Coach role is for current 2nd, 3rd year and Master’s students who provide peer support in Modules.

Students are also able to attend the Games Development Workshop – a weekly meet-up where you can discuss your own game or demo ideas that you want to develop beyond the games being created as part of the course. You can get helpful feedback from your fellow students as well as additional support to implement your ideas. It is also an opportunity to showcase your games and develop your portfolio to show potential employers.​

Assessment

• The assessment strategy for the programme varies to ensure the most appropriate method for each specific module and subject area. Modules are assessed through a combination of methods, such as formal examinations, practical programming assignments, written assignments, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, peer assessments and case studies.

Employability & Careers

• The primary aim of this degree programme is to develop theoretical understanding of the key concepts of computer games development and design. It will showcase the wider impact and importance of games software and technology to both society and the UK and global digital economy. Students will develop highly transferable computational thinking, analytical and problem solving skills, as well as a broad range of software development skills.
• Graduates will find a wide variety of career opportunities both within the computer games sector and also the broader entertainment and media industries. More general developer roles may be found in the majority of the other industrial sectors (both public and private), including financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing, engineering and management consultancy. Graduates from the course have been employed within the games sector, for example Cloud Imperium and Ubisoft, and other sectors, for example DTM Global and CGI.
• Real world experience is obtained as part of your study through optional sandwich year placements and industrial internships. Over the past few years, our computing/IT students have been successful in obtaining placements in nationally competitive schemes with Microsoft, HP, IBM, General Electric and the Met Office.
• On successful completion of this degree programme, there are also further taught postgraduate study options across computing and information systems here at Cardiff Met, as well as research and PhD programmes.