BSc (Hons) Games Development Technologies

If you are yet to make an enquiry to study with the University of Plymouth and are interested in securing a place for September 2020, you can pre-register for Clearing to receive priority treatment on results day.

Read our Clearing advice

The course places great emphasis on employability, providing highly transferable skills for a fast-evolving sector. Establish a convincing developer profile and your career path through our professional network, developer community and international partners. Alternatively, form a start-up and grow your company in the Formation Zone.

• Create an impressive portfolio of tech demos, indie game releases, and client projects for multiple platforms (working on live projects with real clients). 
• Experience the full development cycle from initial concept through design process and implementation to final project delivery and product release. 
• Join our established developer community, participate and compete in exhibitions and national events such as the Explay festival, TIGA Game Hack, Explay Gamejam and Global Game Jam and establish your developer profile. 
• Seeking accreditation by BCS for 2020, The Chartered Institute for IT. We are a member of TIGA, the trade body for the games industry 
  

• Year 1

• In Year 1 you take part in core software development topics that underpin game development: Programming, data structures and algorithms, security, and databases to build a highly transferable skills base. You will apply this fundamental knowledge to game development, solving gameplay problems and creating experiences with modern game engines.

  Core modules

  • BPIE111 Stage 1 Computing Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • COMP1000 Software Engineering 1

    This module exposes students to the principles of software design and construction. The basics of constructing source code to solve a problem will be introduced, exposing students to common control structures alongside concepts such as types and generics. Major programming paradigms such as object orientation and functional programming are introduced. Additionally, key software development tools and methods are explored.

  • COMP1001 Computer Systems

    This module provides students with an underpinning knowledge of how computers work. Topics include low-level systems and representation of data, operating systems, and an introduction to subjects such as virtualisation, parallelism, state and communications. Students will learn how operating systems manage processes and scheduling, and how memory management works.

  • COMP1002 Cyber Security & Networks

    Modern computing relies upon networking and robust cyber security. This module provides an appreciation of their core enabling technologies, discussing how they can be applied. Key networking topics include routing and switching, as well as wireless networks. Key areas of security include underlying concepts and threats, and exploring security technologies that can be applied to enable defence in depth.

  • COMP1003 Algorithms, Data Structures and Mathematics

    Data structures and algorithms lie at the heart of Computer Science as they are the basis for an efficient solution of programming tasks. In this module, students will study core algorithms and data structures, as well as being given an introduction to algorithm analysis and basic Mathematics for Computer Science.

  • COMP1004 Computing Practice

    This module applies problem-based learning to provide students with the ability to identify problems and derive appropriate and considered solutions. A focus will be given to the early stages of the software development lifecycle to develop the skills of eliciting requirements whilst considering operational and technical trade-offs. The module will culminate in the creation of a simple yet complete software solution.

• Year 2

• In Year 2, core game programming skills are refined and then expanded upon with artificial intelligence. You learn about novel interface prototyping, game engine technologies, and player communication techniques. Establish your working processes, improve your coding, build exciting prototypes that showcase your passion for games. Knowledge gained in earlier stages of the computing programmes is consolidated and integrated into a substantial project. Students work in teams, champion professional roles, using game technologies to design and develop a solution for a given scenario.

  Core modules

  • BPIE211 Stage 2 Computing Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (BPIE111) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • COMP2000 Software Engineering 2

    Students’ understanding of software engineering is expanded by introducing a range of topics that instil best practice. Students will learn how to implement faster software using parallelism and consider aspects of human-computer interaction. Object-orientation and functional programming are revisited, while event-driven programming is introduced. Common design patterns used in the construction of software are introduced.

  • COMP2001 Information Management & Retrieval

    This module introduces students to the fundamental concepts for graphical representation, information management, database systems and data modelling. The capture, digitisation, representation, organisation, transformation and presentation of information is explored using conceptual and physical data models.

  • COMP2002 Artificial Intelligence

    This module provides students with an introduction to the principles of artificial intelligence and the methods used in that field. Topics covered include search and optimisation, knowledge representation and reasoning, and machine learning. Students will gain experience of modelling and simulation, and will apply analytical tools to evaluating results, and will consider the ethical implications of the introduction of AI.

  • COMP2003 Computing Group Project

    Knowledge gained in earlier stages of the computing programmes is consolidated and integrated into a substantial project. Students work in teams, champion professional roles, design and develop a software solution for a given scenario. The project integrates and expands upon software development stages covered on the course (project management, analysis, design, construction, communication, security and/or networking).

  • COMP2007 Game Development

    This module provides a series of workshops in interactive systems for game developers with a core lecture series resulting in a substantial individual student project. The workshop series will also introduce students to the game development pipeline through an iterative process, tools and methods used in industry, developing professional practice.

• Optional placement year

• Take advantage of the wide range of opportunities in related sectors, from small studios to multinationals, based in the UK or overseas.

  Core modules

  • BPIE330 Computing Related Placement (Generic)

    A 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich course, undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for you to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two years of study and to prepare for the final year and employment after graduation. Please note this placement is optional but strongly recommended.

• Final year

• Build a team and start a company – we have a track record in supporting student enterprise and generating start-ups. We have a strong developer community with regular game jams, hackathons, career fairs and developer conferences. Focus on your career path, selecting options to enable you to achieve a substantial individual project leading to a position or role in your chosen sector. A substantial individual project showcases your game development skill as you focus on topics such as industry engagement and graphics programming.

  Core modules

  • COMP3000 Computing Project

    The Computing Project provides an opportunity to tackle a major computing related problem in an approved topic area relevant to the programme of study.

  • COMP3013 Team Enterprise

    The module follows a small developer model, facilitating company formation around a game-based prototype from initial concept to product launch. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team, develop a commercial pitch and understand your position in the value chain. You will make a game technology-based product to generate a start-up company and use relevant industry approaches to manage and develop your product.

  • COMP3014 Industry Engagement

    This module provides a contextual framework for developers seeking to release games, Apps, software projects or compete in national events. Topics include creating and protecting intellectual property, product placement, revenue models and licensing, investment, social enterprise, and due diligence. The module includes industry case studies, a guest speaker programme and opportunities for individual mentoring.

  • COMP3015 Games Graphics Pipelines

    This module develops core programming skills for game developers, targeting specific elements of graphics pipelines; rendering, shading and optimisation for varied platforms such as AR (mobile) VR and XR platforms. The module focusses on specific skills required to develop tools/solution for emerging game technologies.

  • COMP3016 Immersive Game Technologies

    This module introduces the concepts and programming techniques for high performance real-time graphics using a relevant graphical API. A bottom-up view of graphical programming is taken, excluding the use of game engines and high-level prototyping tools. Students also learn transferrable skills: programming in an un-managed environment, tools programming, programming for physical interfaces and/or sensors.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Games Development Technologies Programme Specification_6895

UCAS tariff

112 - 120