Game Programming MSc

Development Practice

You’ll deepen your knowledge of game development practices. Working in interdisciplinary teams and employing specialist skills such as C++ programming and git versioning practices, you’ll devise small-scale artefacts. You’ll also carry out a personal reflective case study that will help to enrich and expand your practice.

(30 credits)

Digital Games Technology

Develop your knowledge of mathematics and the technology underpinning digital games by experimenting with low-level graphics APIs, such as OpenGL, to recreate the classics or demake modern titles. 

(30 credits)

Advanced Game Programming

Make use of industry-standard engines, such as Unreal 5, to implement original and compelling gameplay experiences using advanced game programming techniques. 

(30 credits)

Game Development Project

Work in a simulated studio environment in multidisciplinary teams – formed of artists, designers and programmers – to rapidly take a game idea from initial concept to a working demonstration that you can pitch for further funding. 

(30 credits)

Major Project

Pursue your own practice-based or empirical research and development efforts under the supervision of a subject-matter specialist. Many choose to situate this work in the game development project they commenced in the previous study block, in an effort to commercially publish their game. 

(60 credits)

With regularly timetabled support sessions from our course team and access to our studio throughout, you’ll be able to produce games to a high standard, learning to collaborate effectively as a member of a game development team as well as to conduct cutting-edge research and development. You'll learn through: 

• Demonstrations 
• Studio practice 
• Project supervision 
• Lectures 
• Seminars 
• Practical workshops 
• Crit sessions 
• Tutorials 
• Guest speakers 
• Mentoring 

Assessment is 100% coursework, with the learning situated in an environment that mirrors industry, helping to prepare you for what it’s like in a real game studio. 

Assessments are composed of practical activities underpinned by critical analyses of the workflows and practices applied in the module to further support your learning. 

Module leaders, supervisors and technicians will guide and support you through your assessments to enhance your relevant technical and academic skillsets. 

We welcome applicants with varied qualifications, but typically you’ll need an undergraduate degree. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience. 

We’ll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications. 

APL applicants using experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit. 

Applicants should hold a Level 2 GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics. 

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.