Course Overview
Interested in the idea of making the next best-selling games app? Want to create cross-platform games and learn about every area of their production? This course helps you master the diverse range of skills required from the indie developer working on your own or in small teams. You’ll have the opportunity to develop an area of specialism and generate a portfolio of work to show potential employers and backers.
As well as learning about game design, 2D and 3D asset creation, drawing and programming, we will also look at how to make money from your creations, how to manage your business and successfully market your games.
A growing sector
As media and computing advances, so too do the careers in this sector. The growth is being fuelled by the availability of inexpensive commercial grade development tools, and simple third party digital marketing options. Combined with an increase in demand for a wider variety of games, the opportunities for independent game developers are increasing.
Every element of the game development process
During this course, you’ll develop game assets from conception through to production. You’ll tackle the design issues faced when building games for mobile and discover how to implement game play through scripts.
As the course progresses, you’ll build on your creative skills and improve your programming ability. As you master new technologies used within Artificial Intelligence, you’ll implement advanced game design techniques into your games projects.
Working on both individual and team based projects, you’ll be given the opportunity to specialise in an area of particular interest. Beyond the creation of exciting new games, you’ll also take business and marketing modules. The entrepreneurial skills acquired in these modules will ensure you have the knowledge to exploit your creative talents to the full.
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: I610
We have a strong computing department at Bucks and we are members of TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s games industry.
A wealth of experience
Our lecturing team have a great depth of experience working in the industry and the course benefits from regular visits from professional artists, game designers and developers. These guests provide a great context for the material being taught.
Be involved with some of the biggest gaming companies in the world
We are a member of the PlayStation® Vita Academic Development Programme run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional development hardware and software tools for both staff and students.
Work with the best equipment in the industry
In this fast moving industry, equipment and software is constantly evolving. Our course reflects this development and we have invested significantly in our new games lab and in staff with games industry experience. We have established close links with a number of household names within the sector and introduced more specialised games modules within the course.
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
- Maths for Games
- Concept Visualisation 1
- Audio and Special Effects
- Game Design Theory
- Maths for Games
- Mobile Game Development
- Practical Game Design
- Programming Concepts
Year 2 Modules
- 3D Asset Development
- Advanced Game Design
- AI for Games
- Character Animation
- Character Modelling
- Indie Team Project
- Level Scripting
- Mobile Game Project
Year 3 Modules
- Advanced Indie Project
- Advanced Scripting
- Business Essentials for Start-ups
- Concept Visualisation 2
- Individual Project
- Marketing Games
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
