Video Game Development with Foundation Year

Course Summary

Interactive entertainment and video games development are key sectors for contemporary culture, economic growth and employment, whether it be locally, nationally or globally. The three year BSc (Hons) Video Game Development with Foundation Year* course responds to this growing and innovative sector by developing skilled, team-orientated, reflexive graduate professionals ready to succeed in the sector. On the course you will learn the most important programming languages for game development, as well as industry-standard game development tools such as Unity and Unreal. This course gives you a guaranteed video game development placement in our in-house studio, taking place over the summer term of the second year. The work-place simulation approach of our department (Games, Film and Animation) has been championed by the influential 2009 Livingstone, Hope Next Gen Report which cited us as a national best practice example for developing new talent. What's covered in the course? The course covers core programming languages and video game development tools, as well as contemporary agile software development techniques to make you a competent and adaptable programmer, capable of finding employment in the sector or preparing you for further academic study. The course introduces you to computer programming by teaching you the most valuable language for developing interaction online, JavaScript. You’ll then be introduced to C# and object-oriented software, and will be given a range of interactive products to develop using both languages. As you progress through the course, you’ll concentrate on the most powerful and efficient language for game development, such as C++ Building upon your core language and software development skills, in the second year you will be tasked with a specific role within our in-house game development studio over the summer term. This work experience gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and professional practices you’ve learnt on the course in a safe and supportive environment. Typically for these projects you’ll be using industry standard game development tools such as Unity and Unreal. These summer projects have in the past been mentored and supported by external partners including Red Bee Media, FreeStyleGames and Codemasters. The work students produce during these summer placements can act as excellent portfolio pieces, which demonstrate their ability as both a professional artist and effective team member. Throughout the course you will be provided with a structured programme of learning, in line with your chosen specialism of video game development. The course culminates with a project you define yourself which uses a specific programming language and technology you have learned on the course, such as JavaScript, C#, C++, Three.js, SFML, Unity and Unreal. You have the choice of either proposing your own individual project or collaborating with other students to create another video game project for your portfolio. Teaching takes place in a modern production studio based in Birmingham city centre, where you’ll be provided with studio space to complete your projects. You will be taught by staff with significant experience in the video game development industry, having worked with game developers including Psygnosis, Rage Software, Codemasters, FreeStyleGames and EA Games. By the time you graduate you’ll have three years of tangible games development studio experience under your belt, ready to launch your dream career as a games developer. *Subject to approval - the content of this course has been refreshed and updated to make sure you graduate with the skills employers need in an ever-changing job market. Our quality control experts are currently reviewing the content and we anticipate receiving formal approval shortly.

Course Details - Modules

Modules are not listed for this Course.

Course Details – Assessment Method

Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.

Course Details – Professional Bodies

Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.

How to Apply

26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application Codes

Course code: 1145

Institution code: B25

Campus Name: Parkside Building Campus

Campus code:

Points of Entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Foundation

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)

Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.

International applicants

Standard Qualification Requirements

A maximum of 4 subjects are considered. These can be other A/S Levels (as long in a different subject) A-Levels or Level 3 equivalents.

Achieve a minimum of 80 tariff points achieved in either five Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. Where only Highers have been taken a minimum of grades CDDDD is required. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve grades of DD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of DD in two Highers.