Computer Games (Software Development)
UK & EU Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:W280
Classification:BSc/BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:09 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Computing
Course Fees
Students from England, Wales or Northern Ireland
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £7000.00 | Annual fee. Refer to www.saas.gov.uk to apply for support. Find out more about bursaries and scholarships. |
Students from Scotland and the rest of the EU
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £1820.00 | Annual fee. Refer to www.saas.gov.uk to apply for support. Find out more about bursaries and scholarships. |
Minimum Entry Requirements
HigherBBB (one sitting); BBBC (two sittings)
A-LevelCC
ILCBBB at Higher grade
UCAS Tariff200 UCAS points
Essential SubjectsMaths (H)
Summer SchoolIf required, Summer School is available for Mathematics.
Non UK/EU Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:W280
Classification:BSc/BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:09 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Computing
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013/14 | £11000.00 | Annual fee. Refer to www.saas.gov.uk to apply for support. Find out more about bursaries and scholarships. |
Further Education Students
Course Details
UCAS Code:W280
Classification:BSc/BSc (Hons)
Course Duration:4 Years
Course Start Date:09 September 2013
Course Mode:Full Time
Subject Area:Computing
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Description/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contact us | ||
Minimum Entry Requirements
For entry requirementsContact us for a copy of our FE Supplement.
Programme Description
Study the creation of computer games software in state-of-the-art facilities. You will utilise the most up-do-date tools of the industry to learn the many different skills involved in the creation of cutting edge games software.
Why Choose This Programme?
The BSc/BSc (Hons) Computer Games (Software Development) programme stream will emphasis the technical programming requirements (including the mathematics and implementation of physical mechanics), but would also share an appreciation of the core elements of Game Design. Your studies will include the creation of 2D and 3D graphics, the incorporation of 3D animation in games, the creation of thinking creatures, new product development and professional issues involved in the development of software. This learning is underpinned by the teaching of the basic concepts required to master the design process of computer games. Students will develop games for the current game industry platforms such as Xbox 360, Playstation and Nintendo.
What You'll Learn
Year 1: Computer Systems Development, Database Development, Games Design, Web Development, Programming, Media Content Creation, Integrated Project 1, Computer Systems and Network Technology, Mathematics for Computer Games 1.
Year 2: Games Design 1, Object Oriented Software Development, Software Modelling, Analysis and Design 1, Games Programming 1, Interaction Design, Integrated Project 2.
Year 3: Mathematics for Computer Games 2, Console Programming, Software Processes and Practices, Games Programming 2, Game Artificial Intelligence, Integrated Project 3.
Year 4: Honours Project and Research Methods, Games Programming 3, Honours Project, Reflective Practice for Personal Development, Rich Internet Applications. Note: All Year 1 students on the suite of computing based programmes (BSc Computer Games, BSc Computing, BSc Information Technology Management for Business and BSc Networking and Systems Support) follow a common first year. This provides a taster in a variety of subject areas to help students confirm their choice of specialist programme for Year 2 onwards.
Work Placement
An optional feature of this programme is the one-year sandwich placement. This can be undertaken after completing the BSc third year. The placement consists of a year of practical paid work experience in a suitable company position. The different types of posts undertaken can be of quite a diverse range but will always relate to your area of study. Recently students have been placed with companies such as IBM, Dell Corporation, National Australia Group, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Strathclyde Police among others. Undertaking the placement can provide valuable experience to enhance your career prospects following your graduation.
Assessment
Assessment methods used to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes include examinations, coursework, class tests, presentations, computer-based exercises and written reports.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will enjoy employment opportunities as the Computer Games Industry continues to grow and can expect to find work as both Game Designers and Programmers. The Games and Creative Media Industries are areas of significant growth within the Scottish economy. The aim of the BSc/BSc (Hons) Computer Games (Software Development), is to meet the employer led requirements for this pivotal role.
Fees and Funding
For international students: Scholarships of 1000 GBP may be available
GCUSA Student Led Teaching Awards
Alan McNicol, Lecturer in Media Content Creation was nominated for the award of Effective teaching that: Makes best use of technology to support learning in the GCUSA Student Led Teaching Awards 2009-10.
Alan was teaching the module "Media Content Creation". We had this module for only 6 weeks, but we had to work with 3 different software pieces. The time we were given was not great, but we had mainly labs during these six weeks. Alan McNicol was great with teaching us how to use the different software and helping us through it. I did have knowledge one of the software we used, but now I find myself familiar with the others as well as working easily with all of them.
Nominated by Emilia Todorova
Alan was teaching the module "Media Content Creation". We had this module for only 6 weeks, but we had to work with 3 different software pieces. The time we were given was not great, but we had mainly labs during these six weeks. Alan McNicol was great with teaching us how to use the different software and helping us through it. I did have knowledge one of the software we used, but now I find myself familiar with the others as well as working easily with all of them.
Nominated by Emilia Todorova
International Student Week
For new international students we have an orientation week starting 9 September 2013.
This early-start week is specifically designed to assist new international students settling into the UK and GCU prior to general student induction and teaching.
There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.
Full details are available from our award winning International Student Support Service or on our Welcome to GCU facebook page.
Assessment Methods
In each of their initial three years, our students take part in innovative group projects leading to an individual project in their final year, which improves their academic, practical and employability skills. Each project incorporates two strands of learning, the first is the essential technical skills needed to undertake a complete product design and this is developed further to allow our students to show their innovative and enterprising abilities.
The second strand furnishes our students with the ‘soft’ skills related to team working, business operations, the project design process and ethical practices. This work helps students to develop a growing appreciation of the practicalities and realities of the application of software processes in the real world. Assessment is by presentation, delivery of design report and, most importantly, demonstration of product prototypes.
The second strand furnishes our students with the ‘soft’ skills related to team working, business operations, the project design process and ethical practices. This work helps students to develop a growing appreciation of the practicalities and realities of the application of software processes in the real world. Assessment is by presentation, delivery of design report and, most importantly, demonstration of product prototypes.
Teaching Methods
We aim to be flexible and like to extend our laboratory work so that students can access hardware and software tools for use outside lab hours, allowing students to gain additional, highly valuable experience in developing software systems. These enhanced practical skills are highly prized by employers and can be the difference when competing for high quality employment opportunities for industrial placement on graduation.
After successfully completing their Level Three studies, our students have the option to participate in an industrial placement for one year which is recognised on the degree certificate on graduation. International exchange opportunities are also available, allowing students to spend a semester abroad through the Erasmus Programme or an overseas summer placement through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) through the British Council. Finally, the school provides summer placement opportunities to highly motivated students to work on novel applications of electronic and software technologies.
Game Jam is an international game design challenge which takes place within GCU every year. It pitches aspiring programmers and designers against the world’s rising stars in the industry in a race to develop the best new title with over a 100 of our students and enthusiasts working round the clock to create and programme new video games from scratch in just one weekend.
After successfully completing their Level Three studies, our students have the option to participate in an industrial placement for one year which is recognised on the degree certificate on graduation. International exchange opportunities are also available, allowing students to spend a semester abroad through the Erasmus Programme or an overseas summer placement through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) through the British Council. Finally, the school provides summer placement opportunities to highly motivated students to work on novel applications of electronic and software technologies.
Game Jam is an international game design challenge which takes place within GCU every year. It pitches aspiring programmers and designers against the world’s rising stars in the industry in a race to develop the best new title with over a 100 of our students and enthusiasts working round the clock to create and programme new video games from scratch in just one weekend.
Employment Details
Our graduating students will progress on to exciting and challenging careers in the areas of Games Software Development and Design. Our students will be equipped to be employed in highly technical areas while others will wish to explore opportunities where a mix of design skills and technical skills are very important, such as product support, sales and marketing.
Fee Information
Glasgow Caledonian University is one of the UK’s most dynamic and diverse higher education institutions, with a tradition of welcoming students from all walks of life. As such, the University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to ensure all students have an equal chance of success. The fees and funding that are relevant to you also depend on where you lived before coming to university.
To make things as simple as possible we have information on all of this, including links to our award winning student support team, available at www.gcu.ac.uk/money.
To make things as simple as possible we have information on all of this, including links to our award winning student support team, available at www.gcu.ac.uk/money.
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