Course Overview
Love playing videogames? Why not be part of a team that develops them? Games Development focuses on how to program games, from traditional software design and coding to the latest techniques employed within graphics and AI. The course also provides an insight into other disciplines within the industry (design, modelling, animation and business), to ensure you can appreciate the roles of others within a diverse team.
What will this course cover?
During the first year you will develop your programming skills (C#) and apply them to the development of 2D mobile and console games and 3D levels within a commercial games engine. Additional modules will provide a taste of other disciplines within the games industry including an introduction to games design and 3D modelling. Further modules provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the hardware on which games are deployed.
In the second year you will continue to develop your programming skills (C++) and apply them to the development of realistic AI and graphical applications using a graphics library. You'll be taught about the processes involved in managing the development of complex games within large teams and as a member of your own team, develop a game in collaboration with students on other courses, such as BA (Hons) Audio and Music Production and BA (Hons) Animation and Visual Effects.
During the third year you will develop a physics engine and integrate it into a games engine. Extend your understanding of the more complex AI techniques used within games and given an insight into how games companies operate, along with invaluable tips on how to start a career in the industry, either as an employee of an established games studio or as an indie developer. A major component of the final year is the project, which provides you with an opportunity to draw on the knowledge and skills gained in the previous years, to develop a game or related software application.
More placements, more choices
Bucks is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student. To increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
Course Details
UCAS CODE: GG46
The lecturing team includes experienced professionals and there are regular visits from expert guest lectures who provide a context for the material being taught.
We are a member of the PlayStation® Vita Academic Development Programme run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional console development hardware and software tools.
We are an NVIDIA CUDA Teaching Centre. This is in recognition of the adoption of the CUDA parallel programming technology within the BSc Games Development curriculum.
We are also a member of TIGA. The trade association representing the UK's games industry.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will be a UCAS Tariff score of 80. A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
Course Modules
Module Map
This module map provides a list of the modules that make up your course.
Each module is worth a specified number of credits (typically either 15 or 30 credits for undergraduate courses). Compulsory (or ‘core’) modules cover key subject knowledge, while ‘option’ modules enable you to develop your own interests. For a full-time course you must take modules worth a total of 120 credits at each level of the course. The number of option modules you can take depends on the number of compulsory modules at each level. You can find more information about how your course is structured via the Academic Advice pages.
Our teaching is informed by research and employer requirements, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the subject area. In addition, where we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an option module, this may not be offered. If an option module does not run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
The modules available on this course are as follows:
Year 1 Modules
- 3D Modelling
- Computer Architectures
- Console Game Development
- Game Design
- Level Design
- Maths for Games
- Networking
- Programming Concepts
Year 2 Modules
- Agile Software Development and UML
- AI for Games
- Character Animation
- GPU Programming and Shaders
- Game Development (Team Project)
- Graphical Programming
- Object Oriented Analysis and Design
- Object Oriented Programming
Year 3 Modules
- Advanced AI for Games
- Advanced Programming
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Game Engine Development
- Physics Engine Programmer
- Project
- The Games Business
Fees
How much does it cost
Full Time Home and EU, Academic Year 2020-2021: £9,250 per year
Full Time International, Academic Year 2020-2021: £12,500 per year
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Questions about fees?
Contact our Enquiries Team:
0330 123 2023
advice@bucks.ac.uk
How do I apply?
For application details please visit bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks
