Computer Games Technology
UCAS Code: G450
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
AS
must be offered in conjunction with the A level in either Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing or equivalent Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Pass with 60 credits, 45 of which should be at Level 3. including 12 Techical credits merit or distinction. Must be from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subjects Knowledge of Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
must be offered in conjunction with the A level in either Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing or equivalent Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE grade 4 Must include Mathematics, English Language Must have been achieved or working towards at the point of application Considered in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade 4. Must have been achieved or working towards at the point of application City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Adult Numeracy/ Adult Literacy Functional Skills/ Essential Skills level 2 Key Skills level 2 - Application of Numbers and Communication
HNC (BTEC)
Pass and complete with an average 50% in a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject May be considered for advanced entry on to the second year of the degree subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of Level 4. A transcript will be required. Need experience in Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
HND (BTEC)
For Year 1 entry pass the HND with 2 merits. Overall grade is a PASS. For Year 2 pass the HND with an overall grade of at least a MERIT from second year subjects in a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject May be considered for advanced entry on to the third year of the degree subject to satisfactory comparability of modular content of Levels 4 and 5. A transcript will be required. This rarely happens. Need experience in Computer Programming for BSc(Hons) Computer Games Technology and BSc(Hons) Forensic Computing
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
points overall with a minimum of Grade 5 in Mathematics (Higher Level) and pass one of the following subjects from Group 4 at Higher Level (Computer Science, Chemistry, Design Technology, Physics). Students who do not complete the IB Diploma will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates and alongside other acceptable level 3 qualifications to meet 112 UCAS Tariff Points. Obtain a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects. Students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above Grade 5 or above in Mathematics at Standard Level will be accepted in lieu of this from the IB Diploma. Students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above Standard Level English Language (not literature) Group A English Group A - Grade 4 or above, OR English Group B Grade 5 from the IB will be accepted.
Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in four Higher level subjects. Maths must be at Higher Level. Must include English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum grade H5/D1).
See Level 3 Entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details.
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points subject
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Only in combination with other qualifications Can be combined with two A levels, a BTEC Diploma, or OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma to achieve a total of 112 UCAS points.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject Must be offered along with either A-levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas/ OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diplomas or a BTEC 12-unit National Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma combination with a total of 112 UCAS tariff points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Can be combined with one A level, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, or two AS levels to achieve a total of 112 UCAS tariff points. Not including Early Years
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing related subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Can be combined with one A level, AS level, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, or OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma to achieve a total of 112 UCAS tariff points. Not including Early Years
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers. Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades CCD. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers). Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved from either five Highers or a combination of two Highers offered with two Advanced Highers. Where only Highers have been taken a minimum of (BBCCC) are required. Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers). Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics or Computing
UCAS Tariff
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Do you want to have a successful career in the computer games industry? Our BSc (Hons) / MSci Computer Games Technology course has been developed with input and feedback from leading professionals as well as our own students.
While studying your computer games degree, you will use our state-of-the-art computer games technology lab, which is kitted with high-performance PCs, Sony PlayStation development kits, as well as a variety of industry standard software.
Our collaborations with Microsoft and Sony, and state-of-the-art technology will help you develop the skills you need to be successful in the games industry and beyond.
What's covered in the course?
On the course, you will learn a range of technical and professional skills, including understanding fundamentals and advanced coding practices, graphics programming, network communications and artificial intelligence. You will work independently and in teams, as well as develop strong written and oral communication skills.
The course philosophy highlights the importance of going beyond your studies – therefore, we encourage you to participate in many extracurricular activities. As we are located in the heart of Birmingham city centre, we are close to many independent game studios, who host events throughout the year. We also regularly participate in international game development competitions such as Global Game Jam and Microsoft’s Imagine Cup, all of which give you the opportunity to showcase your talent on a wider stage, and network with others in the industry.
You will not only learn about mainstream and traditional video game development, but also explore allied and emerging disciplines such as serious and educational game development, augmented and virtual reality, as well as simulations.
Studying computing with us puts you at the heart of an exciting, innovative community. Part of your first-year assessment will involve taking part in our annual Innovation Fest, where students get together to solve society’s problems with creative technology. Previous projects have included medical assistance drones, accessible gaming controllers, and smart housing solutions. The event brings together students, academics and industry guests, so it’s a great way to have fun, build experience and network, and win prizes!
Upon graduation, you could progress into a range of careers in the game industry, for example game or graphics programmer, tools programmer or QA tester in either larger companies or independent studios. You will also have the skills to enable you to work in allied disciplines such as a serious or educational game developer. Alternatively, you could work in more traditional computing or software engineering roles, start your own company or progress into further education.
Why Choose Us?
- The School of Computing and Digital Technology has a range of state-of-the-art computing facilities, including a dedicated computer games development lab. This houses high specification game development PCs, Sony PlayStation Dev Kits and a range of industry standard software.
- We have strong ties with the games industry including Microsoft, Sony and many local independent studios.
- We have an established research reputation in the application of computer games technology to healthcare and medicine. We actively encourage our students to collaborate and explore how computer games can be used to solve problems in other fields and disciplines.
- By exposing you to current industry standard technologies and encouraging the development of your practical computer programming skills, we make you more employable across a range of computing disciplines.
- The course encourages you to engage with industry, allowing a number of flexible paths to gaining work experience, including work-based learning modules, taking a placement year and working on your own commercial products within the University.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Millennium Point Campus
School of Computing and Digital Technology
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Study in Birmingham
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Explore BirminghamWhat 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?
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
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?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 graphics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£22k
£24k
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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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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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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