Digital Games Development BSc(Hons)

Course structure 

You will often work collaboratively in groups, as you would in industry. You will have access to professional-standard equipment and applications, and work across various platforms to prepare you for work in a range of professional environments.

Our specialist facilities include:

• digital media and games studios
• Oculus Rift
• HTC Vive
• digitisation/ VR lab
• 3D scanning and printing
• Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) acquisition dome
• mobile eye-tracking glasses
• usability lab for testing software
• arcade machine.

Assessment is typically through exams and coursework, creating games or investigating and reporting on aspects of the games world. You have the opportunity to develop your individual strengths and interests and can specialise further in your final year individual project with the support of an academic supervisor.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Areas of study

You will explore four main themes.

Program design and implementation
The course has a strong emphasis on essential programming skills. You will study the concepts of programming and program structure, particularly the field of object-oriented programming. In your final year you will be able to apply what you have learned to design and create your own distributed multiplayer games.

Digital asset design and creation
You will study 3D models and investigate how these can be integrated into other media such as video. You will learn about video and audio production, and get hands-on experience in our recording and TV studio for green-screen and motion capture.

Web technologies
Through these modules you will develop a deeper understanding of how modern web technologies can be used to host digital media. At the start of the course, you will discover the key concepts of how technologies are used to create dynamic websites using client-side scripting. Later modules build on these skills, exploring server-side scripting, asynchronous communication and modern client-side frameworks, particularly in mobile technology.

Product development
These modules cover digital game theory, managing multimedia projects and developing design ideas, through to developing and programming complete digital games following agile methodologies and delivering them to the marketplace.

Year 1 

Beginning with a broad introduction to computer science and software engineering, you will study topics that cover programming, databases, web development, human computer interaction, professional legal and ethical issues, and professional skills. You will also learn about the principles and application of game design, 3D modelling and animation, as well as develop your skills in creative problem solving and communication.

Modules

• Introduction to Games Programming

  This module is the entry-level programming module and will introduce you to the fundamental concepts and skills required to write simple games using C++.

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

  This module introduces you to the basic concepts of artificial intelligence (AI). You'll explore AI principles, techniques and technologies using real-world examples.

• Introduction to Game Design and Development

  This module explores the methods and techniques used to design and build computer games. You will learn how to:

  • analyse and deconstruct complex game systems to assess their entertainment value
  • turn original game designs into working prototypes.
• Introduction to Web Development

  This module will introduce a range of current web technologies, equipping you to build basic standards-compliant static and interactive web pages.

• Working in the Digital and Games Industries

  This module introduces you to the digital and games industries context working practices, using the Brighton & Hove digital sector as a case study. You will prepare for work experience applications by producing a personal digital portfolio and managing your professional online presence. The module integrates an introduction to the university learning environment and a foundation in academic study skills.

• Introduction to 3D Modelling and Animation

  This module will provide an introduction to the foundations of 3D computer graphics and basic animation. Covering the fundamentals of basic 3D design, modelling, texturing, simple lighting and animation, on completion you will be able to create simple 3D animated rendered sequences for multi-format delivery.

Year 2 

In your second year, you will study topics such as web technologies, game and web app development, and 3D modelling and animation. Options enable you to explore asset design or to further develop the theory and skills to develop AI applications to solve real-world problems.

Modules

• Intelligent Systems 1
• Integrated Group Project
• Game Development Frameworks
• Intermediate 3D Modelling and Animation
• Web-based Game Development

Options*

• Narrative and Game Asset Design
• Intelligent Systems 2

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year 

You have the option of a year’s paid placement after your second year. Going on a placement builds confidence, can help you decide what how you want to specialise in your final year and strengthens your CV.

Our students have been on placement with organisations including: Unity Technologies, Glyndebourne, Ash Gaming, and the BBC. 

Final year

The main focus in your final year will be your individual project, a great opportunity to explore a subject that interests you and consolidates your knowledge and skills. You will also study topics such as object-oriented analysis and modelling methods, new directions in games, multiplayer games development, Virtual Reality, and sound production and design for games.

Modules

• Computing Project
• Multiplayer Game Development
• Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation

Options*

• Usability Evaluation
• Virtual Reality Systems
• Marketing for Software Products
• Intellectual Property Law and IT
• New Horizons in Computing
• Advanced Artificial Intelligence

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics are listed here.

• You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses.
• In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.
• Costs of up to £50 are included in the fees for students on engineering courses to pay for materials for their final year projects. On rare occasions where material costs exceed £50, they will need to be paid for by the student.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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