Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £13,995 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Course summary
- Develop advanced programming skills, using C++ as the core language throughout the course.
- Use industry-standard APIs such as Microsoft's DirectX, Unity, Unreal, Corona, OpenGL, Android SDK and iOS.
- Learn about game design, ethics, game industry business models, 3D graphics and modelling packages.
- Study on a course with industry accreditation from TIGA and the British Computer Society.
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. Develop 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.
Student View
Watch student Torrell Ewan talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
You learn and are assessed through
- individual coursework
- presentations
- group work
- examinations
- projects
Course leaders and tutors
Mark Featherstone
Senior Lecturer in Games Software DevelopmentMark runs the BSc and MComp Computer Science for Games courses.
Applied learning
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a 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
- Next
- 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, 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® 4 and PlayStation®VR.
Live projects
You may be selected to work within Steel Minions, our own commercially licensed game development studio, and take part in small-scale commercial development projects. Unlike the undergraduate degree version of this course, the extra year of study allows you to consolidate your skills and develop commercial quality, industry ready software to enhance your portfolio and improve your employability.
This course is accredited by Creative Skillset (the Creative Industries' Sector Skills Council) and TIGA (The Independent Game Developers Association) and the BCS (British Computer Society).
Competitions
There is an annual student prize for the best software development tool, sponsored by SN Systems — a part of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
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 this course have gone on to work for
- Sumo Digital
- SN Systems
- Plusnet
- 3Squared
- Next
- Servelec Group
- Hewlett-Packard Ltd
- IBM Ltd
- Citrix
- ORACLE
Accreditation
This course is accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers Association).
This course is also accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional, fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional and fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Student success story
Former games student Andrew talks about working in Steel Minions, Sheffield Hallam's in-house games studio.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with 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, OpenGL, Andriod, iOS
- the world's largest PlayStation® teaching lab
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 128
This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- ABB at A Level including relevant subjects.
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
- A combination of relevent qualifications.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- Maths at grade B or 5
- English Language at grade C or 4
• Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 18 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 will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other 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 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 can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
| 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 2
| 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 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Year 4
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Research Based Games Console Projects | Credits: 100 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Effective C++ Programming | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Machine Learning Algorithms And Heuristics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Mobile Applications | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Programming "Things" | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Graphics Projects | Credits: 75 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Individual Project (Computing) | Credits: 45 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2021/22 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 2021/22 is £13,995 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)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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