BSc (Hons) Games Computing University of Lincoln

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The BSc (Hons) Games Computing programme at Lincoln aims to develop the skills and attributes required for roles in the competitive computing sector. The course is designed to help students develop as versatile professionals, capable of thriving in a wide range of post-university employment destinations. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills that lend themselves to the ever-growing, multi-billion pound video games industry.

The course aims to develop a skill set that is applicable to the wider spectrum of the digital sector. Beyond learning how to develop software, students can also develop an understanding of the interaction between the computer and its user, and how to design an engaging experience.

We aim to produce graduates who can adapt to quickly evolving technology and play key roles within the companies at the forefront of those advances. Beyond how to develop technology, a games computing student can also gain an understanding of how to make it engaging, playful, and fun.

The course explores computer science through the specific use-case of games. Students have the opportunity to develop programming skills, alongside specialist modules in topics including games design, 3D graphics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence.

The strong conceptual and methodological grounding in both game design and games development gives Lincoln’s Games Computing course a distinctive edge. Students are encouraged to recognise that software engineering is as important as creative design in the success of computer game products and software applications. The course will also explore the role of playful systems beyond the games industry, looking at how games have been applied to sectors such as education and fitness. While our graduates can target careers in the video games industry, their skills may also be applied to a number of different employment pathways, including systems and development roles in the NHS, automotive industry, education sector, and design roles across multiple industries.

How You Study

In the first year of the degree, students have the opportunity to study fundamental areas, including game design, mathematics for computing, programming, and problem-solving.

In the second year, there is in-depth study expected in areas of game computing, such as advanced programming, concept development, user experience design, and artificial intelligence.

As well as completing a games development project in the third year, students can choose from a range of specialist optional modules, including Parallel Programming; Autonomous Mobile Robotics; Image Processing; and Virtual and Augmented Reality.

Modules

First Year

• Algorithms and Complexity (Core)
• Game Design (Core)
• Game Development (Core)
• Game Studies (Core)
• Maths for Computing (Core)
• Object-Oriented Programming (Core)
• Programming Fundamentals (Core)

Second Year

• Advanced Programming (Core)
• Artificial Intelligence (Core)
• Concept Development (Core)
• Game Programming (Core)
• Scalable Database Systems (Core)
• Team Software Engineering (Core)
• User Experience Design (Core)

Third Year

• Graphics (Core)
• Physics Simulation (Core)
• Procedural Content Generation (Core)
• Project (Core)
• Autonomous Mobile Robotics (Option)†
• Big Data (Option)†
• Cross-Platform Development (Option)†
• Cyber Security (Option)†
• Image Processing (Option)†
• Machine Learning (Option)†
• Parallel Programming (Option)†
• Virtual and Augmented Reality (Option)†

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Special Features

Students have the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community of active researchers and take part in extracurricular activities such as performance and games workshops, game jams, and national competitions.

Students have access to a specialist development laboratory, industry-standard software development environments, 3D modelling software and virtual reality systems. Software development environments such as Unreal Engine 4, Unity Pro, and Visual Studio play a major part in the practical elements of the course.

Placements

There is the opportunity to take a work placement year between the second and third years of study. Students are academically supported throughout their placement, which can be overseas. There may also be opportunities to take shorter work placements and overseas study visits. Students on the placement year and on study visits are required to pay for their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs. There is no tuition fee for the placement year.

How You Are Assessed

The programme is assessed through a variety of means, including in-class tests, coursework, projects, and examinations. The majority of assessments are coursework-based, reflecting the practical and applied nature of games computing science. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.

Scholarships

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

United Kingdom

• A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A Levels or equivalent qualifications).
• International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall
• BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
• T Level: Merit
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
• Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English and Maths. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may also be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non-UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

Career Opportunities

This degree aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary for a technical career. Graduates can work across the games industry as developers, tools programmers, artificial intelligence programmers, level designers, mission scripters, games testers, and in many other roles in the wider IT industry.

Lincoln graduates have gone on to work for computer games industry giants and other specialist companies in the sector. These include Electronic Arts (EA Games), Criterion Games, Rockstar Games, Sumo Digital, BAE Systems, and Team 17.

Accreditations and Memberships

This course is accredited by BCS, Chartered Institute for IT, and the University is affiliated with the Institution of Analysts and Programmers.

“Lincoln’s diverse and relevant course content really let me specialise in the programming niches that interested me, providing me with the resources and guidance I needed.”



George Learmonth, BSc (Hons) Games Computing graduate and currently Technical Audio Designer at TT Games