BSc in Computer Games Programming
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,250 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* only for home students. We will continue to accept applications from international students after the 25th of January
** UK students: £9,250 per year | international: £15,800 for the first year
Introduction
Why choose this course?
Considering the many opportunities offered by the growing games industry? This course could be for you. You'll graduate with an impressive portfolio to showcase your work.
You'll learn C++ and C# programming languages, use game engines, such as Unity and Unreal, and develop games for PC, mobile, tablet and the Sony PlayStation 4. Studies include the use of artificial intelligence in real-time strategy, race and first-person games as well as educational games. You'll also learn the computer science that underpins programming, such as requirements analysis and design and network communications.
You'll be able to participate in a 24-hour games-creating team, Game Jams, and attend optional trips (such as the PC Gamer Weekender).
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston is an educational partner of Sony through PlayStation First.
- In our inKUbator, you can learn directly from the industry. Speakers have been from Sony, Splash Damage, Aardvark Swift, Interactive Selection, CryTek and Unity.
- Our games lab includes Sony PlayStation Development consoles; gaming PCs and support software including Microsoft Visual Studio, Unity, Unreal and Maya.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Year 1
In Year 1 you will develop game programming skills using the industry standard C++. Specialist modules cover 2D and introductory 3D games programming using a C++ game engine, together with the maths and physics required for game development. You will also broaden your knowledge in computing, including requirements analysis and design.
Core modules
- Programming I: Thinking Like a Programmer
- Game Science
- Games Programming
- Requirements Analysis and Design
Year 2
In Year 2 you will create games using engines such as Unity and Unreal. You will further develop your C++, C# and 3D graphics and shader programming knowledge. You will learn how to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) in your games including real-time strategy, racer and first-person games as well as more serious and educational games. Underpinning this will be the computer science concepts of computer architecture, operating systems and parallel processing as well as network communications.
Core modules
- Computing Systems
- 3D Graphics Programming and Artificial Intelligence
- Professional Game Development Environments
Optional modules
- Introductory Digital Media and Computer-Generated Imagery
- Database-Driven Application Development
- User Centred Design
- Digital Motion Graphics and Compositing
- Multimedia Authoring and Design
Optional sandwich year
Core modules
- Industrial Placement
Year 3/4
In Year 3 you used agile teamwork to develop a game from the initial concept to the publishing stage with the aim of releasing a game on platforms such as the Google Play store or itch.io in a multidisciplinary team. You will develop skills in real-time C++ console and multiplayer game programming. In addition to the capstone project, which has a game theme, you may choose from a range of option modules.
Core modules
- Multiplayer and Game Console Programming
- Individual Project
- Game and Media Creation Processes
Optional modules
- Modelling and Animation
- User Experience Design Thinking
- Advanced-Data Modelling
- Mobile Application Development
- Digital Entrepreneurship
- Software Development Practice
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Careers and progression
You'll be prepared for a wide range of computing careers. Graduates have become game programmers, virtual reality games developers, technical programmers and software engineers.
Examples of recent graduate destinations:
- Games programmer
- Virtual reality game developer,
- Technical programmer
- Software engineer
- App developer or research and development roles