Computer Science with Games Technology
City, University of London
UCAS Code: GG49 | Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)
City, University of London
UCAS Code: GG49 | Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)
Entry requirements
A level
Grades ABB (preferably to include Computer Science or Mathematics)
Access to Higher Education will be considered when combined with substantial work or other experience.
We welcome applications that include the EPQ. Where relevant, this may be included in our offer, resulting in an ‘A’ Level offer reduced by one grade.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C) PLUS GCSE Mathematics at grade 6 (B)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IB with 31 points to include 5 in Mathematics Higher Level or Standard Level and minimum of grade 5 in Standard Level English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Computing or Information Technology only
T Level
Digital Production, Design and Development. Distinction overall including GCSE Mathematics grade 6.
UCAS Tariff
Grades ABB (preferably to include Computer Science or Mathematics)
About this course
This integrated master’s degree will prepare you for a career in the dynamic computer game sector. You’ll learn how computer games are built and work, and discover how to solve programming problems related to game development. It is your most direct route to Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
On this four-year degree, you will develop advanced knowledge of game engine architecture, computer graphics and game design.
You’ll become an expert in industry-standard engines that power game development, as well as computer game architecture, and the games development process.
You will study at master’s level in your fourth year, learning alongside our internationally renowned researchers at the cutting edge of the subject.
- Gain the skills for a career in the thriving computer games sector, applying your computing expertise in a creative, dynamic and desirable industry
- Boost your professional credibility, employability and earning potential with a degree that satisfies the academic requirements for CEng status
- Become proficient in a broad range of programming languages and cutting-edge games programming techniques
- Boost your employability with an optional one-year work placement: past students have worked for Sony, PlayStation, Disney, Microsoft and Goldhawk Interactive
- Study in City’s computing labs, which include the latest hardware and software, such as state-of-art NVidia GPUs
- Gain three years of professional experience with our innovative Professional Pathway Scheme, combining paid employment and study.
The School has its own dedicated placements team with over 20 years of experience in providing on-hand placement and internship support as well as guidance for students throughout their studies. Placements are highly encouraged at City. Students that complete a placement year benefit from gaining professional experience working on real-life projects and are also more likely to achieve higher grades, secure a graduate-level job and earn a higher salary. In recent years students from our computer science courses have been able to obtain placements at leading companies within their chosen field such as IBM, PlayStation, Disney, Microsoft and Goldman Sac
Modules
During this four-year Computer Science with Games Technology MSci course you’ll learn to solve real-world computer gaming challenges, using programming, problem-solving and communication skills.
Year 1
Study our common first year for all our computer science students, learning six core topics including operating systems, web development and Java.
-Introduction to Algorithms (15 credits)
-Mathematics for Computing (15 credits)
-Systems Architecture (15 credits)
-Programming in Java (30 credits)
-Databases (15 credits)
-Operating Systems (15 credits)
-Computer Science, Ethics & Society (15 credits)
Year 2
Deepen your knowledge of computer science with core modules such as games technology and object-orientated analysis. Boost your professional skills with a team project.
-Data Structures and Algorithms (15 credits)
-Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (15 credits)
-Professional Development in IT (15 credits)
-Team Project (30 credits)
-Games Technology (15 credits)
-Programming in C++ (15 credits)
-Computer Networks (15 credits)
Year 3
Study advanced games technology, computer graphics and other core modules that are fundamental to games technology. Choose elective modules in areas that interest you.
-Computer Graphics (15 credits)
-Advanced Games Technology (15 credits)
-Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming (15 credits)
-Functional Programming (15 credits)
-Language Processors (15 credits)
-Advanced Databases (15 credits)
-Theory of Computation (15 credits)
-Professional Placement and Career Development (30 credits)
-Data Visualization (15 credits)
-Advanced Programming: Concurrency (15 credits)
-Cloud Computing (15 credits)
-Information Security Fundamentals (15 credits)
-Computer Vision (15 credits)
-Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Programming and Mathematics for AI (15 credits)
-Agents and Multi Agents Systems (15 credits)
-User Centred Systems (15 credits)
-Project Management (15 credits)
-Semantic Web Technologies and Knowledge Graphs (15 credits)
Year 4
Develop in-depth professional expertise to prepare you for your career in game technology. Study core game development modules and undertake an individual project to showcase your skills.
-The Games Development Process (15 credits)
-Computer Games Architectures (15 credits)
-Individual Project (45 credits)
-Software Systems Design (15 credits)
-User-centred Systems Design (15 credits)
-Advanced Databases (15 credits)
-Project Management (15 credits)
-Data Visualisation (15 credits)
-Advanced Programming: Concurrency (15 credits)
-Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
-Information Security Fundamentals (15 credits)
-Computer Vision (15 credits)
-Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Programming and Mathematics for Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
-Computational Cognitive Systems (15 credits)
-Agents and Multi-Agent Systems (15 credits)
-Cloud Computing (15 Credits)
Students have the opportunity to follow two placement routes: a one year placement or the Professional Pathway scheme. The one year placement can be undertaken following successful completion of year 2.
Students can join the Professional Pathway scheme after successful completion of year 1 (early entry) or after successful completion of year 2 or a one year placement (late entry).
Assessment methods
Assessment is by examination and coursework although some components, such as the team project, are assessed by coursework alone.
Written examinations contain theoretical questions, including mathematical aspects, as well as writing and analysing small amounts of code and short essays on the applications of computational techniques.
Coursework takes many forms, including programming, modelling, theoretical work and essays. In the Individual Project you will carry out an independent investigation of a significant computing problem, applying knowledge and skills that you have learnt through the programme.
The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2019/20 entry is as follows:
Year 1
Written examination: 41%
Coursework: 59%
Year 2
Written examination: 35%
Coursework: 65%
Year 3
Written examination: 26%
Coursework: 74%
Year 4
Written examination: 48%
Practical: 2%
Coursework: 50%
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
City, University of London
Department of Computer Science
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Computer games and animation
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer science
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. The subject is linked to important and growing computing industries, and over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years.
Computer games and animation
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a relatively new subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. Gaming is a growing industry, and if it continues to grow we should see the rather high unemployment rate coming down over the next few years. Much the most common jobs for graduates who do get work after six months are in programming roles - but as things stand, be aware that jobs in the field are very competitive and personal contacts - either through family, friends or via specialist employment agencies - are a crucial way into the industry so be prepared to talk as well as code!
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£29k
£35k
£42k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Computer games and animation
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£29k
£35k
£42k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Explore these similar courses...
Higher entry requirements
Lower entry requirementsSame University
Nearby UniversityThis is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Course location and department:
This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
