Computer Games Technology
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: G452 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: G452 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
120-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels.
122-128 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma.
Cambridge Pre-U score of 50-54.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
25 points from the IB Diploma, to include 3 Higher Level subjects.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H3,H3-H2,H2,H3,H3,H3
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
120-128 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
T Level
UCAS Tariff
120-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent.
120-128 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**This is a Connected Degree**
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.
**Overview**
As a student on our TIGA-accredited BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree, you'll develop the skills to turn ideas and concepts into reality, using industry-standard design and development techniques.
Our graduates are working on big titles at Rockstar and Electronic Arts, classics at Rare, and developing homegrown Indie Games.
This is your opportunity to join them.
**Course highlights**
- Learn from computer games development experts with extensive knowledge, experience and industry connections
- Stand out from other graduates by studying specialist modules such as psychological theory for game designers and artificial intelligence (AI) in gaming
- Enhance your CV as you apply your skills on real client briefs – past projects have included training simulations for the Royal Navy and virtual reality experiences
- Use the same software as the professionals in some of the most advanced gaming development facilities at any university in the country
- Showcase your skills to employers and network with professionals in the computer games industry by taking part in our annual GameJam event
- Have the chance to set up a company and sell your own games
**TIGA accreditation**
This course is accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association). This means it has been examined by a panel of industry and academic experts to make sure you develop relevant and up-to-date skills needed by the games and related industries.
**Careers and opportunities**
With 95% of our graduates finding work within a year after university, you'll be confident to graduate with sought-after skills and knowledge for various careers.
Besides the gaming industry, you can apply the skills you develop to other areas using such technologies – including virtual production, virtual/alternative reality (VR/AR), simulation training and healthcare.
**Graduate destinations**
Our graduates work at some of the biggest industry names, including:
- Rockstar Games
- Naughty Dog
- Frontier
- Cloud Imperium
- Unity
- Rare
- Codemasters
- Electronic Arts
- Rebellion
- Jagex
- Creative Assembly
- Sumo Digital
- Climax
- Stainless Games
- Playstation Studios
Modules
Year 1
Core modules in this year include:
- 3D Modelling (20 credits)
- Art Skills for Games (20 credits)
- Code Studio (20 credits)
- Coding and Scripting for Games (20 credits)
- Game Development (20 credits)
- Games Design and Context (20 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year.
Year 2
Core modules in this year include:
- Gameplay Programming (20 credits)
- Programming Application Programming Interfaces (20 credits)
- Student Enterprise for Games (20 credits)
- Finish and Launch a Game (20 credits)
- Maths for Games (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
- CCI Study Exchange (60 credits)
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice (20 credits)
- Professional Experience (20 credits)
- Program Consoles (20 credits)
Year 3
Core modules in this year include:
- Final Year Project (40 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One (20 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two (20 credits)
Optional modules in this year include:
- Advanced Graphics Techniques (20 credits)
- Designing User Experiences and Interfaces (20 credits)
- Games Research (20 credits)
- Implementing Game Audio (20 credits)
- Motion Capture Applications (20 credits)
- Programming Systems for Games (20 credits)
- Psychological Theory for Game Designers (20 credits)
- Targeting Platforms (20 credits)
Placement year (optional)
On this course, you can do an optional work placement year after your 2nd or 3rd year to get valuable experience working in industry. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through:
- practical projects
- work portfolios
- academic and evaluative essays
- multiple choice tests
- oral presentations
- examinations
- case studies
You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:
- Year 1 students: 12% by written exams, 8% by practical exams and 80% by coursework
- Year 2 students: 17% by written exams, 15% by practical exams and 68% by coursework
- Year 3 students: 23% by practical exams and 77% by coursework
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score 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.
£23k
£29k
£31k
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 requirements
Nearby UniversitySame 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
