Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the Creative Skillset and The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA).
- Develop advanced programming skills, using C++ as the core language throughout the course.
- Use industry-standard APIs such as Microsoft's DirectX, Unity, Marmalade, Corona, Android SDK and iOS.
- Learn about 3D graphics, computer architecture, game engines and game industry business models.
Study the skills and techniques demanded by the games industry, such as programming, software engineering and optimisation, mathematics and the use of games hardware on desktop, consoles and mobile platforms. Master project management techniques and tools used within the games industry and design your own games in the world's largest PlayStation® teaching lab.
In 2018 we were named 'Best Educational Institution' by TIGA, the independent games association. The award recognises our games courses for being world leading, having strong links with industry, and leading its students into graduate roles.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Games course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other computing foundation year students, then move on to the degree.
You learn and are assessed through
- lectures
- reports
- individual coursework
- presentations
- group work
- examinations
- final year project
- demonstrations
- structured walkthroughs
In the foundation year, you’ll build on your existing knowledge and experience — developing useful academic, computing and IT skills in preparation for undergraduate study. You’ll benefit from innovative course content that allows you to access and use cutting-edge technology. Throughout, you’ll reflect on your progress, and build valuable communication and interpersonal skills.
Course leaders and tutors
Martyn Prigmore
Senior LecturerSenior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University's College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Applied learning
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your third and fourth years. This gives you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. In previous years, students have taken placements at
- Sony (SCEE)
- Team17
- SN Systems
- SI Games
- Autodesk
- Dumpling Design
- Jollywise Media
- 3Squared
- Supermassive
- Sumo Digital
Networking opportunities
We work in close partnership with games companies such as Sumo Digital, SN Systems and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE). They provide equipment and input into the design, development and delivery of the course, ensuring we teach the very latest topics. For example, industry speakers give talks on specialist topics and offer employability advice.
We've been awarded PlayStation®First status by Sony (SCEE), providing unique access to PlayStation® professional development hardware (dev-kits) and software (SDK) and equipping students with industry-relevant game development skills across PlayStation® 3, PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® Vita, PlayStation®VR and PlayStation® Portable.
Live projects
If you do well in the first three years, you will be eligible for transfer to our related MComp course, an integrated masters course that provides additional depth of study and increased industrial involvement. You may also be selected to work within Steel Minions, our own commercially licensed game development studio, and take part in small-scale commercial development projects.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- game software development
- graphical software design and visualisation
- applications programming
- software engineering
Previous graduates of BSc (Honours) Computer Science for Games have gone on to work for
- Sumo Digital
- 3Squared
- SN Systems
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard Ltd
- IBM Ltd
- Citrix
- ORACLE
Student success story
"I'm working on a VR version of our game PieceFall, which was released on the PlayStation store. This summer I went down to Sony's studio and played some unreleased and unannounced games so I could see examples of what good VR games could be."
Muneer Fergiani, BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Games
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- C++, C#, x86 assembly language
- PlayStation® professional development hardware (dev kits) and software (SDK)
- Unity, Unreal, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality
- Microsoft® DirectX
- the world's largest PlayStation® teaching lab
Learn more about your department
Computing facilities tour
Take a look around the facilities and equipment in the Department of Computing at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
This must include at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade B or 5
• 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.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying the subject.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
UK students may be able to claim financial support for the course.
If English is not your first language, you will need 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.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Foundations In Computing | Credits: 120 |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Fundamentals Of Computer Architecture | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Mathematics For Graphics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Programming 2D Games | Credits: 80 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 3D Games Development | Credits: 80 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Mathematics For Modelling And Rendering | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Software-Hardware Optimisation Techniques | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Games Console Projects | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Project (Technical Computing) | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Artificial Intelligence In Games | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Effective C++ Programming | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Mobile Applications | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Programming "Things" | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Computing courses (PDF, 246.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
