BSc (Honours) Games Software Development
UCAS code
G611Attendance
Full-time
Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-timeAt a glance
Learn the skills required to pursue a career as a software developer in the competitive games industry on this respected course. Designed in collaboration with top national and international games companies, it is one of only a small number of industry-accredited undergraduate courses in game programming in the UK.
Key points
• Benefit from established relationships with top games companies.
• Excellent facilities include one of Europe's largest PlayStation® 3 teaching labs.
• One of only a small number of industry-accredited UK undergraduate game programming courses.
• Gain a competitive advantage with a one-year placement at one our partner organisations.
What is games software development?
Games software development is a course for game programmers. Programming games is one of the most challenging and rewarding fields of software engineering, demanding a strong grasp of programming, mathematics and hardware architectures combined with a creative passion for games and an ability to work within interdisciplinary teams.
About this course
This course is for people interested in the technology of games and who would like to work in the games development industry or related areas. You study the skills and techniques that are demanded by the industry, such as • programming • software engineering and mathematics • software optimisation and using dedicated computer hardware for games. The course is one of only a small number in the country accredited by the British Computer Society and Skillset.
As a student, your career prospects are enhanced by the course’s long established relationships with global and national games companies such as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, SN Systems and Sumo Digital. These companies support the course by providing equipment, inputting into the course design and ensuring we teach the very latest topics. For example, Sumo Digital now offer a placement scheme targeted at programming students from this course, providing two students on track for a first-class honours degree a one year placement with them.
Our excellent facilities include one of Europe's largest PlayStation™ 3 teaching labs and the Digital Design Centre which boasts six specialist computers suites. We also have our own commercially licensed game development studio called Steel Minions.
In addition to working on Sony's consoles, you have the opportunity to work on mobile platforms such as iOS and Android, as well as benefiting from a very strong emphasis on DirectX: the API used on PCs and Microsoft's Xbox consoles.
Once you’ve developed your skills in industry-standard facilities, you apply what you’ve learnt in to industry with a 12–15 month third-year placement, gaining important real world experience before you graduate. Previous students have obtained placements at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Sumo-Digital, Team17, SN Systems and Autodesk on salaries of up to £18,000.
You graduate with a personal portfolio of your work that you can show prospective employers, and we advise you how to maximise its potential. We also invite industry speakers to give talks on specialist topics and offer employability advice.
Key areas of study
During the course you
• develop programming skills
• use industry standard application programming interfaces such as Microsoft's DirectX and programming for the Sony PlayStation™ 3 (PS3) and PlayStation™ Portable (PSP)
• learn technologies and architectures for games
• study project management techniques
• use industry standard 3D graphics and modelling packages such as 3D Studio Max and Maya
• cover topics related to gaming, such as ethics
Associated careers
You gain the necessary skills for a career as a programmer, software development engineer or project manager in the games and entertainment software industry.
These skills enable you to develop careers in areas such as • graphical software design and visualisation • applications programming • software engineering.
Most graduates from this course work as programmers or lead programmers, also referred to as engineers in the game industry. Some specialise in roles including • toolchain programmer • special effects programmer • AI programmer. Others become indie developers, involved in every stage of game production.
Previous graduates have also gone on to work as software engineers in other areas of IT.
Placements
In year three we recommend you take a paid work placement. In 2012, about half of all students secured a placement in the game industry. Our dedicated professional employment team will provides you with help in preparing and securing a placement and a tutor will visit you and stay in touch during your placement.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the British Computer Society and Skillset. It is one of only four industry-accredited undergraduate courses in game programming in the UK. It counts towards the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
This course is also a proud academic partner of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. We also work in partnership with other internationally recognised companies in the design, development and delivery of the course.
Course content
Year one modules
• fundamentals of programming • fundamentals of computer architecture • introduction to game development • mathematics for graphics • professionalism and communication skills • introduction to requirements and systems modelling
Year two core modules
• object-oriented programming • specialised architectures for gaming • programming for games • mathematics for modelling and rendering • web application development • professional development project
Year three
Final year core modules
• 3D games prototypings • real-time 3D techniques for games • games software project management • project
Final year options
• effective C++ programming • animation and special effects • mobile applications
Assessment
• individual coursework • presentations • group work • examinations • final year project
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
GCSE English language at grade C or above and mathematics at grade B or above, plus one of the following
• 260 points with at least 160 from two GCE/VCE A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. General studies and AS levels may count towards these points.
• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
2013 entry requirements
GCSE English language at grade C or above and mathematics at grade B or above, plus one of the following
• 260 points from at least two GCE/VCE A levels in relevant subjects, or BTEC National qualifications, including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award. General studies and AS levels may count towards these points.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
For 2013 entry, membership of professional bodies is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £10,680 a year
2014/15 academic year
Typically £11,250 a year
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk