BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Games Development

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 65% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.

English language proficiency: 

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
• PTE: A minimum overall score of 54 with no individual score below 51.
• Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

Northumbria University provides support and opportunities for international students to pursue their education. The university offers a range of scholarships specifically designed to assist international students with their tuition fees and living expenses. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and contribution to the community.

Northumbria Global Scholarship: The Northumbria Global Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship available to international undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides a partial tuition fee reduction of up to £6,000 for the first year of study. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, and applicants are automatically considered upon applying for a full-time course at Northumbria University.

Country-Specific Scholarships: Northumbria University also offers scholarships specific to certain countries or regions. These scholarships aim to attract high-achieving students from specific countries or regions and provide financial support for their studies at Northumbria University. The eligibility criteria and application process vary depending on the specific scholarship.

External Scholarships: International students may be eligible for external scholarships provided by government bodies, organizations, or foundations in their home countries. These scholarships are external to the university but can be used to support studies at Northumbria University.

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Games Development program at Northumbria University, UK, have a wide range of exciting career opportunities in the gaming industry and beyond. With a strong foundation in computer science principles and specialized skills in game development, alumni of this program are well-equipped to pursue roles in game studios, interactive entertainment companies, software development firms, and other related fields.

Game Developer/Programmer: Game developers and programmers design, develop, and implement software code for video games. They work on various aspects of game development, including game mechanics, graphics rendering, user interface design, and game physics. Game developers use programming languages such as C++, C#, or Java and collaborate with artists, designers, and producers to create immersive gaming experiences. They may specialize in areas such as gameplay programming, graphics programming, or artificial intelligence for games.

Game Designer: Game designers are responsible for creating the concepts, rules, and mechanics that define the gameplay experience of a video game. They develop game concepts, design levels and missions, and balance game difficulty to ensure engaging and enjoyable gameplay. Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, and producers to prototype and iterate on game ideas, incorporating feedback from playtesting and user research. They may specialize in areas such as level design, narrative design, or systems design.

Game Artist/Animator: Game artists and animators create the visual elements and animations that bring video games to life. They design characters, environments, props, and special effects using digital art tools such as Photoshop, Maya, or Blender. Game artists collaborate with game designers and programmers to ensure that visual assets are integrated seamlessly into the game engine and meet technical requirements. They may specialize in areas such as character modeling, environment design, or concept art.

Quality Assurance Tester: Quality assurance testers, or QA testers, play a vital role in ensuring the quality and functionality of video games before release. They test games for bugs, glitches, and usability issues, reporting their findings to developers and providing feedback for improvements. QA testers perform various tests, including functionality testing, compatibility testing, and regression testing, across different platforms and devices. They may specialize in areas such as manual testing, automated testing, or localization testing.

Technical Artist: Technical artists bridge the gap between art and programming in game development, helping to optimize workflows and integrate art assets into the game engine. They develop tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks, create shaders and visual effects, and optimize performance for different platforms. Technical artists collaborate with artists, programmers, and designers to troubleshoot technical issues and ensure that artistic vision is realized in the final product. They may specialize in areas such as rigging, lighting, or tool development.