Computer Games Development
Manchester Metropolitan University
UCAS Code: CGD1 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
GCE A levels - grades BBB, and to include minimum grade B in one of the following subjects: IT, Computer Science, Mathematics, CCEA Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or a science subject.
122 UCAS tariff points from Access to HE Diploma in one of the following subjects: Computing, IT, Science or Mathematics
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 30 or minimum 120 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects, including HL5 in at least one of IT, Computing. Mathematics or a science subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
CTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in one of the following subjects: IT, Computing or Creative Digital Media Production.
T Level
Overall grade Merit in Digital Production, Design and Development. Applicants with T level in Digital Business Services, Digital Support Services or Science will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that offers for this course are typically made based on grades rather the UCAS tariff, dependent on the qualifications presented.
About this course
Our computer games development degree is designed to help you become a games programmer. From the word go you’ll be hands-on, designing and programming games as you prepare for an exciting career at the cutting-edge of interactive digital content.
In our state-of-the-art facilities, you’ll develop traditional computer science skills, such as programming and maths for computing, as well as specialist games development and design techniques. You’ll also study all types of games software, from the programming of game mechanics, to high-level development tools such as Unity and Unreal Engine. At the same time, you’ll be learning about game logic and architecture, the production of game prototypes, and the processes used to design and develop games in industry.
We've designed the course to ensure direct relevance to the computer games industry and to provide you with opportunities to showcase your work to potential employers. Throughout the course you’ll build up a portfolio of work that you can showcase when you come to apply for games development roles in industry.
With game jams and lots of opportunities for work experience to hone your skills, by the time you leave us you’ll be well on your way to becoming a player in the action-packed world of computer games.
**FEATURES AND BENEFITS**
- Top 3 UK university for Animation and Game Design courses. (Guardian 2023 University League Table. Includes courses from across the Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Digital Arts and School of Art.)
- Gain computer science skills through the innovative vehicle of game programming and design.
- Develop your project management, team working and communication skills, helping to enhance your employability.
- Take the four-year placement route and you’ll spend your third year on industrial placement, boosting your employment prospects. This may be subject to availability.
- Experience what it’s like to work as part of a professional team, finding solutions to complex problems via group projects.
- We are investing £115m to transform the way we teach and you learn in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Open from Autumn 2023, our new Dalton building will enhance collaboration between students, staff and industry and provide improved teaching spaces, including a new computing and mathematics studio.
- We have a games lab equipped with gaming chairs, keyboards and mice used for our eSports events, an animation lab with a green-screen area and a user experience lab with an eye-tracking system.
- We offer a wide range of student support initiatives, including drop-in sessions, lecture recordings, video tutorials and a dedicated support laboratory.
The Uni
Manchester Metropolitan University
Department of Computing and Mathematics
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 games and animation
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)
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 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 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.
£22k
£27k
£30k
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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