MSc Human Resource Management (Top Up)
The MSc Human Resource Management (Top-Up) program at the University of Gloucestershire...
BSc Hons Computer Games Design (Placement)
Park, Cheltenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
This extended program is designed for students who are passionate about creating video games and are eager to gain significant professional experience before graduating. The core of the program focuses on the creative and technical aspects of game design, including gameplay mechanics, level design, character development, narrative, and user experience. The integrated placement year, typically taken between the second and final academic years, provides a structured opportunity for students to work full-time in a games company or a related industry. This extended period of work experience not only strengthens their technical and creative skills but also develops crucial professional attributes such as teamwork, communication, and project management within an industry context.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design (Placement) program is designed to provide a progressive and industry-relevant education. The initial years cover foundational modules in games production, game design theory, an introduction to 3D modelling, and often a focus on creating game prototypes to build fundamental skills and allow students to explore their interests. As the program progresses, students have the opportunity to delve into more specialized areas, potentially through optional modules in areas such as advanced level design, character animation, or technical design. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on project work, often simulating a game studio environment, where students collaborate to create game assets and playable demos. Industry-standard software, including 3D modelling tools like Autodesk Maya or Blender, and game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, are typically integrated into the curriculum. The placement year provides a real-world application of the knowledge and skills learned in the first two years. The final year then builds upon this experience with more advanced and often independent projects, culminating in a strong portfolio.
Research Focus: While the program has a strong practical and vocational focus, it is also informed by research within the field of computer games design. Academic staff often have industry experience and/or are involved in research, which enriches the teaching with current trends and in-depth knowledge. Students are encouraged to develop a critical and analytical approach to game design, examining the effectiveness of different design choices and the player experience. The final year project, in particular, often involves an element of research, where students may investigate specific game design challenges, emerging technologies, or the target audience for their game, contributing to their understanding of the industry's complexities.
Industry Engagement: A significant advantage of the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design (Placement) program is the University of Gloucestershire's strong emphasis on industry engagement, most notably through the integrated placement year. Being a TIGA-affiliated university and a PlayStation First member often provides a direct link to the UK games industry, offering potential placement opportunities and valuable networking events. The University's dedicated careers service or a specific placement team provides support to students in finding and securing a suitable placement, which can be with game development studios of various sizes or in related creative industries. Beyond the placement, the program often includes guest lectures from industry professionals, live briefs set by companies, and opportunities for students to showcase their work at events like COMX and GAMEX, where industry recruiters may be present. This sustained engagement ensures the curriculum remains relevant and that graduates have the connections needed to launch their careers.
Global Perspective: The program incorporates a global perspective, recognizing the international nature of the computer games industry. Students are likely to explore the global games market, different cultural influences on game design, and the challenges of developing games for a diverse, worldwide audience. The optional placement year could even offer opportunities to gain international work experience, further broadening their global understanding. The diverse student body within the program itself contributes to a more globalized learning environment, preparing graduates to work in multinational companies or on projects with international appeal.
Location
Park, Cheltenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16600
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.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 64.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships are aimed at making education more accessible and affordable, allowing students to focus on their studies and enjoy their time in the UK without financial stress. The university provides several merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships to help ease the cost of tuition fees for international students.
International Scholarships: The University of Gloucestershire offers International Scholarships for students coming from various countries across the globe. These scholarships typically range from £1,000 to £3,000 per year, based on academic achievement and the chosen course of study. The scholarship is automatically awarded to eligible students upon acceptance of their offer to study at the university. These awards are designed to make studying in the UK more affordable and are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Excellence Scholarships: For international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, the University of Gloucestershire offers Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved exceptional academic results in their previous studies. The Excellence Scholarship can be worth up to £3,000 and is designed to recognize and support high-achieving students who show great potential in their chosen field of study.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, the University of Gloucestershire offers country-specific scholarships to students from certain regions. These scholarships are tailored to students from specific countries, helping to promote international diversity at the university. The scholarships vary in amount, eligibility criteria, and application processes.
The University of Gloucestershire's BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Design with an integrated placement year provides a unique and highly advantageous pathway for aspiring game development professionals. This four-year program is meticulously designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the creative and technical facets of game design, coupled with an invaluable year of professional experience embedded within the curriculum. This placement year serves as a crucial bridge between academic learning and industry practice, allowing students to apply their skills in a real-world studio environment. The University's commitment to supporting students in securing and undertaking these placements significantly enhances graduate employability, making them stand out in the competitive games industry job market. Graduates not only possess a robust portfolio of academic projects but also the practical experience and professional network gained during their placement.
Game Designer: As a Game Designer, a graduate would be responsible for conceptualizing and defining the core mechanics, rules, and overall player experience of a game. The placement year offers a significant advantage here. Rather than just working on simulated university projects, a placement in a game studio would allow a student to contribute to the design of a real, in-progress game. This could involve working on specific levels, designing individual game systems, or even contributing to the overall game concept under the guidance of experienced designers. This direct industry exposure to the design pipeline and collaborative processes provides a far more in-depth and realistic understanding of the role than academic study alone.
Level Designer: Specializing in the creation of the environments and challenges within a game, a Level Designer benefits immensely from a placement. During their placement year, a student could be directly involved in the creation and iteration of levels for a commercial game. They might learn to use a studio's proprietary level editing tools, work within specific design constraints, and gain experience in playtesting and refining levels based on feedback. This hands-on experience with professional workflows and the opportunity to contribute to a shipped or soon-to-be-shipped title is invaluable.
UI/UX Designer (Games): Focusing on the user interface and overall user experience within a game, a UI/UX Designer's work directly impacts player enjoyment. A placement in a studio would allow a student to work alongside dedicated UI/UX teams, contributing to the design and implementation of intuitive menus, HUDs, and control schemes. They might be involved in user testing and iterating on designs based on feedback, gaining practical experience in a user-centered design process within the specific context of game development.
3D Artist/Modeller: Graduates with a talent for 3D art can work on creating characters, environments, and props. The placement year offers an unparalleled opportunity to work with industry-standard art pipelines and workflows. Students could be contributing to a game's visual assets, learning about optimization for different platforms, and collaborating with other artists and technical artists. The models they create during a placement could even end up in a published game, providing a powerful portfolio piece that demonstrates their professional capabilities.
Technical Artist: This hybrid role requires both artistic flair and technical understanding. The placement year is particularly beneficial for aspiring Technical Artists as it provides the opportunity to work closely with both art and programming teams. A student could gain experience in tasks like creating shaders, setting up character rigs, or developing tools to improve the art workflow. This real-world application of their combined skillset in a professional setting is crucial for developing the specific expertise required for this role.
Animator: Animators bring movement to game characters and objects. During a placement, a student could work alongside experienced animators, contributing to the animation of in-game characters or cinematics. They would gain experience with professional animation software and motion capture data (if used by the studio), and learn about the technical constraints and artistic considerations of animation within a game production pipeline. The opportunity to work on animations for a commercial title would significantly enhance their portfolio.
Gameplay Programmer (Design-Focused): While this is a design-focused degree, a placement could potentially expose students to basic scripting or a closer working relationship with programmers. For a graduate interested in the technical side of design, a placement might offer opportunities to work on implementing gameplay mechanics or scripting in a game engine under supervision. This experience, even if not in a purely programming role, would provide a valuable understanding of the technical constraints of game design and improve communication with programming teams in future roles.
QA Analyst (with design input): While Quality Assurance (QA) is often an entry-level position, a Games Design graduate with a placement year can bring a unique perspective. During their placement, they might have been involved in more than just bug testing, potentially providing feedback on gameplay and design. As a QA Analyst, their design background and placement experience would allow them to provide more insightful and valuable feedback to the development team, and potentially progress to a design role more quickly.
Production Assistant (Games Studio): This administrative and supportive role in a game studio can be a good starting point for understanding the entire production process. A placement year would provide a broad overview of how a game studio operates, including the different teams and their interdependencies. A Production Assistant with prior placement experience in a studio would have a head start in understanding the production pipeline and the challenges of managing a game project.
Indie Game Developer: For graduates aspiring to create their own games, the placement year can provide invaluable insights into the realities of game development, even if it's within a larger studio. They would gain a deeper understanding of project management, team collaboration, and the various stages of the development cycle. This experience can be crucial for avoiding common pitfalls when launching their own indie projects after graduation, making their entrepreneurial endeavors more likely to succeed.
