Digital Games Development BSc(Hons)

Course structure 

The course is fast-paced and practical. 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.

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 our applicant portal.

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 and delivering them to the marketplace.

Year 1 

You will study the principles and application of game design, 3D modelling and animation, and develop your skills in creative problem solving and communication. You will also learn about the history of games and their place in today’s society. 

Modules

• Introduction to Programming

  This module is the entry-level programming module and will introduce you to the fundamental concepts and skills required to write simple programs in a high-level language.

• Introduction to Game Development

  Game development focuses on the use of visual-based, rather than text-based programming languages to enable you to write small 2D and games using industry standard development tools.

  The module is very suitable for students without any previous programming experience enabling their designs to become interactive quickly.

• 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.

• Principles of Games Design

  This module focuses on the methods and techniques used to successfully design mobile and console/PC games. You will be taught how to effectively analyse and deconstruct complex systems in order to assess their entertainment value. In addition to the taught component, workshops are used to allow you to practice and hone your design skills. Using user focused methodology which put enjoyment at the centre of the design effort and monetisation strategy.

• 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 user experience or mobile apps.

Modules

• Web Application Development
• Integrated Group Project
• Game Development
• Intermediate 3D Modelling and Animation
• Web-based Game Development

Options*

• User Experience Design
• Mobile Application Development

Placement year 

The option of a placement year provides valuable work experience, builds confidence and boosts your CV. Our students have been on placement with organisations including: 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, and sound production and design for games.

Modules

• Computing Project
• Multiplayer Game Development

Options*

• Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation
• Intellectual Property Law and IT
• New Horizons in Computing
• Advanced Mobile Application Development
• Usability Evaluation

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

Brighton's digital economy 

Home to over 1,000 companies in the digital sector, Brighton is well established as one of the UK’s leading centres for creative media technology.

The university is the lead academic partner of the Digital Catapult Centre Brighton, which helps entrepreneurs and small businesses bring their digital services and products to market. Innovative projects developed by the centre include a national 5G testbed, backed by the University of Brighton, to help small businesses across the UK develop new products and services that can benefit from 5G technologies.

The testbed further enhances Brighton's growing international reputation for creativity and innovation, particularly in the digital sector which now contributes to over £1bn per year to its economy.

As a student you can find internships and a doorway to job opportunities across the city through Wired Sussex, a local membership organisation for companies and individuals working in the digital sector.

Each year you’ll also get to enjoy the Brighton Digital Festival which brings together the city’s arts and digital cultures and communities. The festival welcomes around 47,000 visitors and features more than 150 events.

International requirements

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

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

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/EU 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. 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. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map