Masters Degrees (Computer Graphics)

The fields of graphics, vision and imaging increasingly rely on one another. This unique and timely MSc provides training in computer graphics, geometry processing, virtual reality, machine vision and imaging technology from world-leading experts, enabling students to specialise in any of these areas and gain a grounding in the others.

Degree information

Graduates will understand the basic mathematical principles underlying the development and application of new techniques in computer graphics and computer vision and will be aware of the range of algorithms and approaches available, and be able to design, develop and evaluate algorithms and methods for new problems, emerging technologies and applications.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of four core modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a research project (60 credits).

Core modules
-Mathematical Methods, Algorithmics and Implementation
-Image Processing
-Computer Graphics
-Research Methods

Optional modules
-Machine Vision
-Graphical Models
-Virtual Environments
-Geometry of Images
-Advanced Modelling, Rendering and Animation
-Inverse Problems in Imaging
-Computation Modelling for Biomedical Imaging
-Computational Photography and Capture
-Acquisition and Processing of 3D Geometry

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project related to a problem of industrial interest or on a topic near the leading edge of research, which culminates in a 60–80 page dissertation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. Lectures are often supported by laboratory work with help from demonstrators. Student performance is assessed by unseen written examinations, coursework and a substantial individual project.

Careers

Graduates are ready for employment in a wide range of high-technology companies and will be able to contribute to maintaining and enhancing the UK's position in these important and expanding areas. The MSc provides graduates with the up-to-date technical skills required to support a wealth of research and development opportunities in broad areas of computer science and engineering, such as multimedia applications, medicine, architecture, film animation and computer games. Our market research shows that the leading companies in these areas demand the deep technical knowledge that this programme provides. Graduates have found positions at global companies such as Disney, Sony and Siemens. Others have gone on to PhD programmes at MIT, Princeton University, and Eth Zurich.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Senior Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Oxford
-Software Engineer, Sengtian Software
-Graduate Software Engineer, ARM
-IT Officer, Nalys
-MSc in Computer Games and Entertainment, Goldsmiths, University of London

Employability
UCL Computer Science was one of the top-rated departments in the country, according to the UK Government's most recent research assessment exercise, and our graduates have some of the highest employment rates of any university in the UK. This degree programme also provides a foundation for further PhD study or industrial research.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Computer Science contains some of the world's leading researchers in computer graphics, geometry processing, computer vision and virtual environments.

Research activities include geometric acquisition and 3D fabrication, real-time photo-realistic rendering, mixed and augmented reality, face recognition, content-based image-database search, video-texture modelling, depth perception in stereo vision, colour imaging for industrial inspection, mapping brain function and connectivity and tracking for SLAM (simultaneous localisation and mapping).

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Research profile

The Institute of Perception, Action and Behaviour (IPAB) focuses on how to link computational perception, representation, transformation and generation processes to external worlds, in theory and in practice.

This covers domains such as visual perception, dynamic control of robot systems, active sensing and decision making, biomimetic robotics, computer-based generation of external phenomena, such as images, music or actions, and agent-based interaction within computer games and animation.

Supported by the dynamic research culture of IPAB, you can develop robots that learn their own motor control, mimic animal behaviours, or produce autonomous and coordinated team actions. Or you can work with systems that interpret real images and video, or generate complex behaviour in animated characters.

We aim to link strong theoretical perspectives with practical hands-on construction, and provide the hardware and software support to realise this vision.

Training and support

You carry out your research within a research group under the guidance of a supervisor. You will be expected to attend seminars and meetings of relevant research groups and may also attend lectures that are relevant to your research topic. Periodic reviews of your progress will be conducted to assist with research planning.

A programme of transferable skills courses facilitates broader professional development in a wide range of topics, from writing and presentation skills to entrepreneurship and career strategies.

The School of Informatics holds a Silver Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The School is deploying a range of strategies to help female staff and students of all stages in their careers and we seek regular feedback from our research community on our performance.

• Athena SWAN

Facilities

Our robotics labs contain a range of mobile platforms, robot manipulators, humanoid robots, and custom-built sensor and actuation systems that attract continuous interest from funders, industry and members of the public.

Recent developments include the UK's only NASA Valkyrie robot platform, application of robotic hardware to prosthetics and assisted living, and a team that competes in the international robot soccer league.

Our new Edinburgh Centre for Robotics (ECR) brings collaboration with Heriot-Watt University to expand the range of facilities and applications we can explore, and to fund research training.

The machine vision lab has facilities for 3D range data capture, motion capture and high-resolution and high-speed video, and the high performance computing needed for graphics is well supported, including hardware partnerships with companies such as NVIDIA.

Career opportunities

While many of our graduates go on to highly successful academic careers, others find their niche in commercial research labs, putting their knowledge and skills to use in an industry setting.

Several of our recent graduates have set up or joined spin-out robotics companies. Our graphics researchers have strong connections to the media and games industries.

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By studying this Masters, you’ll be well placed to join one of the most performance-driven applications of computer science – the multi-billion pound global games industry. As a graduate, you will work at the top-end of the games industry and will develop computer graphics on high-performance platforms, or write engines for the next generation of games.

Developed in collaboration with a prestigious steering group, this course will build on your computer science knowledge to specialise in computer graphics, where programmers must push computing resources to the limit, using deep understanding of architecture and high-performance programming to generate new levels of graphical realism and visual effects on cutting-edge hardware platforms.

You’ll gain proficiency in low-level programming, a thorough understanding of multi-core and many-core programming techniques, game engine and tool development techniques, and fundamental insight into graphics and the practical techniques used in games.

Designed to meet the needs of industry

You can be sure that what you learn will be the technical skills required by industry as this course has been developed in collaboration with a prestigious steering group from industry comprising:

• Barog Game Labs
• Double Eleven
• Epic Games
• NVIDIA
• Team 17
• Sumo Digital
• Weaseltron.

Members of our steering group will contribute to the delivery of the course ensuring that you learn the latest industry developments. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage directly with the games industry, through:

• co-curricula industry lectures
• visits to games development companies
• attending UK games events.

We are also a member of Game Republic, which is an industry-led professional games network that supports and promotes the Yorkshire and Northern England games sector. We hope that students of this course will take part in the Game Republic student showcase.

Specialist facilities

You will use workstations with high-end GPUs to act as DirectX12 and Vulkan games development platforms and have access to other specialist hardware including the latest Virtual Reality headsets for experimenting on. For learning games engine design and exploring new rendering techniques, students will be working with the source code of a leading game engine, Epic’s “Unreal Engine 4”.

Course content

Interested in graphics? Our course provides unparalleled opportunity to study graphics in depth, with more modules on advanced graphics and graphics programming than any other institution in the Russell Group.

A series of compulsory modules will develop your knowledge and skills in high-performance graphics and games engineering. By the end of this course, your technical skills – as demanded by the industry – will be second to none in the following areas:

• low-level programming (C++, Graphic and Compute shaders)
• multi-core and many core programming techniques
• computer graphics, from core principles to the practical techniques used in games, including: geometric models; animation and simulation; advanced methods for visual realism.
• game engine and tool development techniques.

Over the summer months you’ll also work on your research project. This gives you the chance to work as an integral part of one of our active research groups, focusing on a specialist topic in computer science and selecting the appropriate research methods.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at our High-Performance Graphics and Games Engineering module descriptions.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• MSc Project 60 credits
• Parallel and Concurrent Programming 15 credits
• Foundations of Modelling and Rendering 15 credits
• Games Engines and Workflow 15 credits
• Geometric Processing 15 credits
• High-Performance Graphics 15 credits
• Animation and Simulation 15 credits

Optional modules

• Bio-Inspired Computing 15 credits
• Data Mining and Text Analytics 15 credits
• Cloud Computing 15 credits
• Semantic Technologies and Applications 15 credits
• Image Analysis 15 credits
• Scheduling 15 credits
• Scientific Computation 15 credits
• Graph Theory: Structure and Algorithms 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read High Performance Graphics and Games Engineering MSc in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

We have an active research environment which feeds directly into our teaching. You’ll have regular contact with staff through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings. Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.

Our close links with industry also mean that you have direct contact with industry and potential employers from an early stage in your course. Members of our steering group will contribute to the delivery of the course ensuring that you learn the latest industry developments. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage directly with the games industry through industry lectures, visits to games development companies and attending UK games events.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.

Career opportunities

There is a shortage of highly skilled graduates in this field, so once you’ve completed this course it’s highly likely that you will be in demand. You’ll be well placed to join the multi-billion pound global games industry, in positions such as a software developer, technology leader for graphics and rendering or a games development leader or a technical director. You’ll be expected to progress rapidly into leadership roles, becoming the ‘go to’ person for expertise in graphics technologies.

Outside the games industry, the programming skills you develop during this course would allow you to secure a position in other performance-driven industries, for example embedded systems. Your computer graphics expertise could lead to opportunities in the animation and visual production industries.

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On City's MSc in Computer Games Technology you can develop specialist technical skills for a career in the Computer Games Industry.

Who is it for?

This course is aimed at students with a passion for computer games and a strong interest in programming. It is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a numerate subject with substantial computing content, or those who wish to update their skills after a time in industry as a computing professional.

Objectives

The course is designed for you to develop:
-Strong technical skills suitable for professional programming roles in the game industry.
-Specialist knowledge in computer graphics, AI, physics and audio.
-The ability to design and build game engines from scratch in industry standard languages, including C++.
-Knowledge of the games development process, including the pitch, design, and use of a game engine to build a demo.
-Experience of the planning, management and execution of a major games technology project.

Academic facilities

With over 1,300 workstations, the on-campus computer rooms provide a valuable learning resource and give an opportunity for individuals to do coursework and projects. Computers have games development software including:
-Unity3D
-Unreal
-Microsoft Visual Studio
-Microsoft XNA Game Studio
-MonoDevelop
-MonoGame
-NShader
-FMOD Studio
-FMOD Studio API
-OGRE SDK
-WildMagic Geometric Tools
-Blender
-Adobe Photoshop.

City has recently invested in a new computer lab equipped with high specification NVidia GPUs.

Through City's Interaction Lab and the Department of Computing, there is hardware that can be used for student projects, including:
-Oculus Rift VR Headset
-Emotiv Epoc EEG Headset
-Neurosky Mindwave EEG Headset
-X-Box One Kinect Sensor
-X-Box 360 Kinect Sensor
-Leap Motion (Gestural input device)
-Affectiva Q Band Galvanic Skin Response sensor
-Tobii X-60 Eye Tracker

Placements

As a postgraduate student on a Computing and Information Systems course, you will have the opportunity to complete up to six months of professional experience as part of your degree.

Our longstanding internship scheme gives you the chance to apply the knowledge and skills gained from your taught modules within a real business environment. An internship also provides you with professional development opportunities that enhance your technical skills and business knowledge.

Internships delivered by City, University of London offer an exceptional opportunity to help you stand out in the competitive IT industry job market. The structure of the course extends the period for dissertation submission to January, allowing you to work full-time for up to six months. You will be supported by our outstanding Professional Liaison Unit (PLU) should you wish to consider undertaking this route.

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning methods we use mean that your specialist knowledge and autonomy increase as you progress through each module. Active researchers guide your progress in the areas of Games Development, Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence and Audio, which culminates with an individual project. This is an original piece of research conducted with academic supervision, but largely independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with industrial partners.

Taught modules are delivered through a series of 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of tutorials/laboratory sessions. Lectures are normally used to:

present and exemplify the concepts underpinning a particular subject;
highlight the most significant aspects of the syllabus;
indicate additional topics and resources for private study.
Tutorials help you develop the skills to apply the concepts we have covered in the lectures. We normally achieve this through practical problem solving contexts.

Laboratory sessions give you the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques using state-of-the-art software, environments and development tools. In addition, City’s online learning environment Moodle contains resources for each of the modules from lecture notes and lab materials, to coursework feedback, model answers, and an interactive discussion forum.

We expect you to study independently and complete coursework for each module. This should amount to approximately 120 hours per module if you are studying full time. Modules are assessed through written examination and coursework, where you will need to answer theoretical and practical questions to demonstrate that you can analyse and apply computer games technology methods.

The individual project is a substantial task. It is your opportunity to develop an autonomous research-related topic under the supervision of an academic member of staff. This is the moment when you can apply your learning to solve a real-world problem, designing and implementing a solution and evaluating the result. At the end of the project you submit a substantial MSc project report, which becomes the mode of assessment for this part of the programme.

Modules

The programme is composed of eight taught modules and a final project.

The eight modules provide you with a firm grounding in computer games technology, including mathematics, programming, and game engines and architecture along with specialist topics in computer graphics, physics, AI, and audio.

The project component gives you an opportunity to carry out an extended piece of work under the supervision of one of our specialist academic and research staff, at the cutting edge of games technology, in an industrial or academic context.

Core Modules - there are eight Core Modules.
-Games development process
-Computer game architectures
-Computer graphics
-Game Physics and Artificial Intelligence
-Digital Signal Processing and Audio Programming
-Programming in C++
-Systems Specification
-Research, Methods and Professional Issues

Career prospects

Graduates are equipped with advanced knowledge and skills in a range of topics in games technology in preparation for a career in computer games development.

Alumni of the course are working in companies including Rockstar, Sony Computer Entertainment, Electronic Arts, and Codemasters, as well as start-ups and independent studios.

City has a dedicated incubation space, called the Hangout, located in the heart of Tech City that is specially designed for student entrepreneurs from City, University of London who want to get their idea off the ground.

Professional roles include:
-3D Graphics Programmer
-Audio Programmer
-Physics Programmer
-Artificial Intelligence Programmer
-Simulation and Game Engine Programmer
-User Interface Programmer
-Tools and Utility Programmer
-Scripting Languages Programmer
-Networking Specialist
-Porting Programmer

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This MSc programme focuses on the development of sophisticated computer graphics applications and on the development of tools commonly used in the creation of content for these applications. It provides students with opportunity to develop important skills necessary for employment in this sector. They will use their expertise to, for example, develop interactive graphical scenes and deploy up to date techniques to implement real-time and offline visual effects.

Course Overview

This programme will equip students with skills at a high academic level and also crucially enable them to practically implement their knowledge because of the ‘hands-on’ emphasis of the programme.

The main themes of the programme are:
-Current and emerging algorithms and techniques used in film visual effects and games programming
-Approaches used to generate off-line visual effects
-Approaches used to generate real-time interactive games

The first theme develops in the student the necessary skills required to implement algorithms and techniques used to generate realistic scenes. These concepts will be explored in detail.

The second theme addresses the need for students to identify, evaluate and implement suitable methods to solve specific problems related to creating off-line visual effects.

The third theme recognises the need to solve these problems using approaches optimised for real-time computer games development and develops in the student the requisite skills.

Modules

-Animation Systems Development (20 credits)
-Artificial Intelligence for Games & VFX (20 credits)
-GPU Shader Development (20 credits)
-Leadership and Management (20 credits)
-Research Methods and Data Analysis (20 credits)
-Visual Simulation (20 credits)
-Major Project (60 credits)

Key Features

Applicants for this programme will have an interest in computer graphics and Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). The main themes of the programme are current and emerging algorithms and techniques used in film visual effects and games programming, approaches used to generate off-line visual effects and approaches used to generate real-time interactive games. This also includes the development/enhancement of tools used in the CGI and animation industry. Graduates will be concerned with the discipline of developing software and applications using high level programming languages. They will also be experienced in creating custom animated scenes using the powerful scripting languages of industry standard applications such as Maya and Houdini software. Graduates will have an advanced understanding of computer graphics, GPU shader development, and visual simulation methods making use of modern artificial intelligence and simulation techniques. Graduated are likely to find employment either within the film VFX industry, computer games or traditional software engineering sectors.

Assessment

An Honours Degree (2.2 or above) or advanced qualification in Computer Science or cognate discipline from a UK University or recognised overseas institution, or industrial experience in Computer Networking and an Honours Degree.

Where English is not your first language, we ask that you hold an Academic IELTS test with a score of at least 6.0 (no element less than 5.5) or TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 (213 for computer based test).

Career Opportunities

It is expected that graduates would seek positions such as:
-Software Engineers
-Senior Software Engineers
-App Developers
-CGI Special Effects Programmers
-Games Programmers
-Lead Programmers
-Render Manager
-VFX Programmer
-VFX Technical Directors

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Description

This course aims at providing computer science graduates with the knowledge and skills to specialise in advanced computer graphics principles and practice, as well as gaining exposure to research activities in this field. Students completing this course will have a firm grasp of the current practices and directions in computer graphics techniques and be able to apply them to scientific visualization, virtual environments, and computer animation.

Modules are:

* Computer Animation
* Java Programming
* Project Foundations
* Introduction to Computer Graphics
* Virtual Environments & Human Perception
* Scientific Visualization
* Computing Shape
* Sample Based Geometric Modelling
* MSc Project & Dissertation

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Computer Science: Informatique at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The MSc in Computer Science: Informatique is a Dual Degree scheme between Swansea University and Université Grenoble Alpes for computer science.

The MSc in Computer Science: Informatique Grenoble dual degree scheme is a two year programme that provides students with an opportunity to study in both Swansea, UK and Grenoble, France. One year of the Computer Science: Informatique programme students study at Swansea University and the second year of the programme students study at Université Grenoble Alpes. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive an M.Sc. in Advanced Computer Science from Swansea University and a Master from Université Grenoble Alpes.

Key Features of Computer Science: Informatique MSc

- We are top in the UK for career prospects [Guardian University Guide 2018]

- 5th in the UK overall [Guardian University Guide 2018]7th in the UK for student satisfaction with 98% [National Student Survey 2016]

- We are in the UK Top 10 for teaching quality [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2017]

- 12th in the UK overall and Top in Wales [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2017]

- 92% in graduate employment or further study six months after leaving University [HESA data 2014/15]

- UK TOP 20 for Research Excellence [Research Excellence Framework 2014]

- Our Project Fair allows students to present their work to local industry

- Strong links with industry

- £31m Computational Foundry for computer and mathematical sciences will provide the most up-to-date and high quality teaching facilities featuring world-leading experimental set-ups, devices and prototypes to accelerate innovation and ensure students will be ready for exciting and successful careers. (From September 2018)

- Top University in Wales [Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2017]

Modules of Computer Science: Informatique MSc

Modules on the MSc in Computer Science: Informatique may include:

Critical Systems; IT-Security: Theory and Practice; Visual Analytics; Data Science Research Methods and Seminars; Big Data and Data Mining; Data Visualization; Human Computer Interaction; Big Data and Machine Learning; Web Application Development; High Performance Computing in C/C++; Software Testing; Graphics Processor Programming; Embedded System Design; Mathematical Skills for Data Scientists; Logic in Computer Science; Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition; High-Performance Computing in C/C++; Hardware and Devices; Modelling and Verification Techniques; Operating Systems and Architectures.

Facilities

The Department of Computer Science is well equipped for teaching, and is continually upgrading its laboratories to ensure equipment is up-to-date – equipment is never more than three years old, and rarely more than two. Currently, Computer Science students use three fully networked laboratories: one, running Windows; another running Linux; and a project laboratory, containing specialised equipment. These laboratories support a wide range of software, including the programming languages Java, C# and the .net framework, C, C++, Haskell and Prolog among many; integrated programme development environments such as Visual Studio and Netbeans; the widely-used Microsoft Office package; web access tools; and many special purpose software tools including graphical rendering and image manipulation tools; expert system production tools; concurrent system modelling tools; World Wide Web authoring tools; and databases.

As part of our expansion, we are building the Computational Foundry on our Bay Campus for computer and mathematical sciences. This development is exciting news for Swansea Mathematics who are part of the vibrant and growing community of world-class research leaders drawn from computer and mathematical sciences.

Careers

All Computer Science courses will provide you the transferable skills and knowledge to help you take advantage of the excellent employment and career development prospects in an ever growing and changing computing and ICT industry.

94% of our Postgraduate Taught Computer Science Graduates were in professional level work or study [DLHE 14/15].

Some example job titles include:

Software Engineer: Motorola Solutions

Change Coordinator: Logica

Software Developer/Engineer: NS Technology

Workflow Developer: Irwin Mitchell

IT Developer: Crimsan Consultants

Consultant: Crimsan Consultants

Programmer: Evil Twin Artworks

Web Developer & Web Support: VSI Thinking

Software Developer: Wireless Innovations

Associate Business Application Analyst: CDC Software

Software Developer: OpenBet Technologies

Technical Support Consultant: Alterian

Programming: Rock It

Software Developer: BMJ Group

Research

The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 show that Swansea Computer Science ranked 11th in the UK for percentage of world-leading research, and 1st in Wales for research excellence. 40% of our submitted research assessed as world-leading quality (4*).

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Our groundbreaking MSc has been developed in response to a pressing need to offer a high quality postgraduate programme serving the industries of computer games and entertainment, with an emphasis on programming, maths and graphics, business, IP, entrepreneurship, team management, 3D animation, AI and physics in games- http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/msc-computer-games-entertainment/

The computer games and entertainment business is a fast growing multi-billion dollar worldwide business, with games platforms ranging from Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, mobile and handhelds including iPhone, iPad and Android phones, PC-based, and massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) involving tens of thousands of people.

With ongoing strong demand for graduate computer games programmers from the UK and abroad, this MSc will produce graduates who are well positioned to get a job in this exciting worldwide industry. Potential employers include EA, Ubisoft, Sony, Activision, Microsoft, Cinesite, Framestore, and many more.

The programme is delivered by a mix of professionals from the industry and from the research world. We work closely with industry leaders to offer internships at studios including Sega and Sony.

In a wider sense, the influence of computer games programming is spreading to other digital media industries outside games, including gamification and the medical sector, games based learning, new forms of social networking and the interactive visualisation of scientific and live financial business data. Computer games are starting to fundamentally change the way people interact with computerised systems.

Partnership: Sony‌‌

‌Our MSc in Computer Games & Entertainment is part of the PlayStation®First Academic Partnership Programme offered by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) uk.playstation.com. Our course provides students with unique access to PlayStation® professional development hardware (dev kits) and software (SDK) to equip students with industry relevant game development skills across PlayStation®3 and PlayStation® Vita. http://www.worldwidestudios.net/london

Placement: Supermassive Games

"Following two years of successful placements at Supermassive Games, which resulted in full time jobs, we are looking forward to inviting Goldsmiths students to take part in our internship assessment day again this year."
Jonathan Amor, Director of Technology, Supermassive Games
‌

Placement: Reflections - a Ubisoft studio

"We are delighted to announce that Reflections, a Ubisoft studio, will be taking on two Goldsmiths MSc Computer Games and Entertainment Programming students for Internship."
Dr Chris Jenner, Expert Programmer

Placement: Rebellion

"Having now placed four interns from Goldsmiths here at Rebellion, two of which have gone on to become permanent members of staff, we are very much looking forward to future applications from talented and creative Goldsmiths MSc Computer Games students”
Jason Kingsley OBE, CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion

Rebellion is one of Europe’s largest independent game developer-publishers, with their own state of the art cross-platform games engine and toolset. Rebellion’s latest number one hit was Sniper Elite 3, and they also publish the legendary 2000AD comic featuring Judge Dredd.

Placement: The Creative Assembly (SEGA)

Following two continuous years of The Creative Assembly (SEGA) successfully taking Goldsmiths MSc Games Programming Students on placements we are pleased to announce that we have reserved a minimum of three placements for Goldsmiths MSc students starting the course in September 2013, on site during the period May to September 2014. Subject to interview/ portfolio process”. Martin Servantes Director of Operations & Finance

Leading UK Developer Creative Assembly is the developer of the hit game series Total War. They are currently working on a new cross-platform title based on the Alien IP. Based in Horsham.

Placement: Jagex Games Studio

"Jagex Games Studio in Cambridge is looking forward to receiving applications from Goldsmiths’ talented MSc Games and Entertainment students for their summer internships in 2014”.
Sue Stather, Graduate Recruitment Specialist, Jagex Games Studio (RuneScape and Transformers Universe MMO Development Studio)

Placement: Roll 7

Roll7 is a New Cross-based indie video games developer and has been offering placements to Goldsmiths MSc Games students for three years. Roll7 is just about to release its first console title OlliOll, exclusively for PSVita, and we are looking for another 1 or 2 Goldsmiths programming interns for 2014 to work on a Sony backed PS4/Vita cross-play title.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the Department of Computing.

Structure

Final Project & Dissertation
During this final project, you will undertake a project towards your dissertation, typically over the Spring-Summer period (May to September). We offer three options to our students:

Individual research project:

This is based on a research theme selected by you and agreed upon by the lecturing team. Recent examples include:
Building a cheap kinect-like gesture tracking system
AI (rule-based) platform for game level design
Software development for our mobile technology projects (iPhone based)
Assessment
Mainly based on coursework (involving programming), essays, final project and dissertation; some lecturers may also conduct exams/quizzes.

Attendance

The taught programme is organised into three terms (full-time). The Autumn term runs from early October to mid-December, the Winter/Spring term from mid-January to the end of March, and the Summer term runs, typically, from late April to mid-September. Taught modules are given during the Autumn and Winter/Spring terms, while the Final Project takes place during a Summer term (in the second year for part-time students).

This programme is focused on providing you with the skills and experience needed to secure a job in the computer games industry.

Skills

You'll develop excellent games programming skills. These skills are highly transferrable, as games programming is viewed by other industries as being very demanding and requiring a high level of technical ability.

Careers

The global computer games industry is valued at 60 billion USD and is predicted to continuously grow in years to come. It's a mature industry with companies such as EA, Ubisoft, and Blizzard Activision giving long-term career prospects, shares, and benefits. There is a big skills shortage in this growing sector.

Placements provided by our industry partners

Asylum Entertainment
Climax Studios
The Creative Assembly
Geomerics
IdeaWorks Game Studio (Now Marmalade Game Studio)
Playmob
Rebellion
Reflections - a Ubisoft studio
Roll7
SEGA Sports Interactive
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

Alumni

See what some of our graduates have gone on to do on our alumni news page.

100% employment

All of the graduates from the 2012/13 MSc in Computer Games & Entertainment course have secured placements at UK computer games companies.

Funding

Please visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/fees-funding/ for details.

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

Swansea University has been at the forefront of international research in the area of computational engineering. Internationally renowned engineers at Swansea pioneered the development of numerical techniques, such as the finite element method, and associated computational procedures that have enabled the solution of many complex engineering problems. As a student on the Master's course in Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics, you will find the course utilises the expertise of academic staff to provide high-quality postgraduate training.

Key Features: Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics

Computer simulation is now an established discipline that has an important role to play in engineering, science and in newly emerging areas of interdisciplinary research.

Using mathematical modelling as the basis, computational methods provide procedures which, with the aid of the computer, allow complex problems to be solved. The techniques play an ever-increasing role in industry and there is further emphasis to apply the methodology to other important areas such as medicine and the life sciences.

This Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course provides a solid foundation in computer modelling and the finite element method in particular.

The Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering, within which this course is run, has excellent computing facilities, including a state-of-the-art multi-processor super computer with virtual reality facilities and high-speed networking.

Modules

Modules on the Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course can vary each year but you could expect to study:

Reservoir Modelling and Simulation

Solid Mechanics

Finite Element Computational Analysis

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Computational Plasticity

Fluid-Structure Interaction

Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Dynamics and Transient Analysis

Computational Case Study

Communication Skills for Research Engineers

Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations

Accreditation

The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).

The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) is composed of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).

The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.

The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics degree has been accredited by the JBM under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Facilities

Our new home at the innovative Bay Campus provides some of the best university facilities in the UK, in an outstanding location.

Hardware includes a 450 cpu Cluster, high-end graphics workstations and high-speed network links. Extensive software packages include both in-house developed and 'off-the-shelf' commercial.

Links with Industry

The Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering has an extensive track record of industrial collaboration and contributes to many exciting projects, including the aerodynamics for the current World Land Speed Record car, Thrust SSC, and the future BLOODHOUND SSC, and the design of the double-decker super-jet Airbus A380.

Careers

Employment in a wide range of industries, which require the skills developed during the Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course, from aerospace to the medical sector. Computational modelling techniques have developed in importance to provide solutions to complex problems and as a graduate of this course in Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics, you will be able to utilise your highly sought-after skills in industry or research.

Research

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranks Engineering at Swansea as 10th in the UK for the combined score in research quality across the Engineering disciplines.

The REF assesses the quality of research in the UK Higher Education sector, assuring us of the standards we strive for.

World-Leading Research

The REF shows that 94% of research produced by our academic staff is of World-Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) quality. This has increased from 73% in the 2008 RAE.

Research pioneered at the College of Engineering harnesses the expertise of academic staff within the department. This ground-breaking multidisciplinary research informs our world-class teaching with several of our staff leaders in their fields.

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The Master of Science is intended for those who have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, or have sufficient preparation.

The purpose of the programs is to provide the intellectual and practical tools that professionals will need either to pursue or further careers as computer scientists in industry or to pursue a doctorate degree in computer science.

Curriculum

The Master's curriculum is designed with these goals in mind:

• The core modules provide a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of computer science.
• The 500-level electives give exposure to a variety of Computer Science subject areas.
• The 600-level advanced courses give exposure to research topics of current interest and provide in-depth knowledge.

Core: All four modules (12 credits – 3 credits each)

CSC520 — Foundations of Computer Science
CSC530 — Data Structures
CSC540 — Programming Languages
CSC560 — Analysis of Algorithms

Electives: At least four 500-level electives (at least 12 credits – 3 credits each)

CSC525 — Operating Systems
CSC535 — Networks and Data Communications
CSC545 — Database System Concepts
CSC555 — Software Engineering
CSC565 — Compiler Design
CSC570 — Computer Architecture
CSC573 — Graphics and User Interfaces
CSC575 — Artificial Intelligence
CSC581 — Topics in Computer Science
CSC582 — Topics in Information Systems
CSC583 — Topics in Computer Security
CSC584 — Topics in Web Technology
CSC585 — User Interfaces in Java
CSC586 — System Administration and Security
CSC587 — Web Services
CSC588 — Wireless Programming and Security
CSC589 — UML and Pattern Design

Advanced: At least two 600-level (at least 6 credits – 3 credits each)

CSC600 — Advanced Seminar
CSC603 — Advanced Seminar in Computer Security
CSC604 — Advanced Seminar in Web Technology
CSC605 — Internship
CSC610 — Independent Research
CSC620 — Master's Thesis

To find out more information about the curriculum please visit the website:

http://www.cs.wcupa.edu/grad/masters.html

Internships

West Chester University students may register for a Computer Science Internship and work part time or full time in Summer II or during regular semesters. Students who are not Computer Science majors should use CSC300 (3 credits). Computer Science majors should use CSC400 (6 credits); of the 6 credits, 3 credits can be used to satisfy the major requirements, and the other 3 credits satisfy general electives. Computer Science graduate students should use the course number CSC605 (3 credits).

For more information please visit the website:

https://www.wcupa.edu/internships/

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Channel your creativity and join a multi-skilled team to develop the next generation of video games. On our arts-based MA, you’ll join the vibrant games and technology community based here in Cambridge that includes Guerrilla, ARM, Frontier Developments, Jagex and Ninja Theory.

Your course will have a new home in Compass House, which will extend our campus along East Road. You’ll have the latest technology at your fingertips and be able to collaborate with other students on innovative projects to hone your skills.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/computer-games-development-art

If you have a degree in an art and design or computer games-related subject, our course will allow you to specialise in games art at Master's level.

Based in the inspiring environment of our new Compass House Games Centre, you’ll learn all about best practice in the games industry. We’ll encourage you to work in design production teams, tackling a series of creative and technical challenges with programmers and industry professionals. You'll develop your design skills and learn how to create and publish successful games across a range of platforms.

Cambridge accounts for nearly 20% of the UK computer games industry, so it's a great place to study as we enjoy excellent links with the major games developers in the area. What's more, our Computer Games Centre offers studio space to local indie developers, who'll share their knowledge and experience with you.

We're partners with the Global Science & Technology Forum, allowing our students access to cutting-edge research materials.

While you're studying, we'll encourage you to take on work placements and collaborate on live projects with the games industry. You’ll also have the chance to enter games events, such as Brains Eden, which Anglia Ruskin hosts every year.

This course runs in parallel with our MSc Computer Games Development (Computing), reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of games creation.

See the website http://www.anglia.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/computer-games-development-art

Careers

Our MA gives you the chance to specialise in the design and technical implementation of computer games, whether you already have a games-related degree, or you're a recent graduate of a non-games-related degree who's looking to move into this area. Our course is also suitable if you work in another creative industry and are looking to move into games design and creation.

The skills you'll learn on this course are relevant to other forms of games - including board games and educational games - allowing you to consider a number of career options.

Interactive computer games is a relatively new medium; as the industry grows, you’ll find more and more opportunities to use the computing and creative skills you'll hone while studying here.

Modules & assessment

Core modules:
Process and Practice as Research
Games Development 1
Games Development 2
Digital Arts - Experimental Practice
Master's Project: Art and Design

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written and practical work, carried out individually and as part of a team.

What you'll study

Cambridge School of Art has been inspiring creativity since 1858 when it was opened by John Ruskin.

Engaging with current debates surrounding contemporary practice and with the state-of-the-art facilities, Cambridge School of Art houses light, bright studios, industry-standard film and photographic facilities, and 150-year-old printing presses alongside dedicated Apple Mac suites. Our digital art gallery, the Ruskin Gallery, exhibits both traditional shows and multimedia presentations, from national and international touring exhibitions and our own students.

We are the only university in Cambridge offering art and design courses at higher education level. A tight-knit community of artists, academics and over 900 students, we collaborate across our University, the creative industries, and other sectors. Cambridge is a centre for employment in the creative industries and there are rich opportunities for collaboration with the city’s entertainment, technological, scientific, arts and heritage industries.

Our graduates have a history of winning national and international awards and an excellent employment record. They include Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett and Dave Gilmour, Spitting Image creators Peter Fluck and Roger Law, and illustrator Ronald Searle, the creator of St Trinian's.

We’re part of the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences, a hub of creative and cultural innovation whose groundbreaking research has real social impact.

Facilities

Based at the new Compass House Computer Games Centre, a three-minute walk from our main Cambridge campus, you’ll have 24-hour access to a hub space with group work naturally forming a part of your studies.

The centre includes a start-up lab for small games companies, supported by Games Eden, the Cambridge Computer Games industry network. This will give you excellent opportunities to work in an entrepreneurial games environment.

All students on our Computer Games courses – undergraduate and postgraduate – have access to industry-standard PCs running Maya, 3DS Max, ZBrush, Mudbox, Motion Builder, After Effects, Unity 3D, and UDK. You’ll be able to use motion capture equipment, 3D monitors, VR equipment, graphics tablets, a render farm, HD cameras and digital SLRs (for HDRI capture).

Links with industry

Cambridge is home to nearly 20% of the UK’s computer games industry, including Sony’s Guerrilla Studios, ARM, Jagex, Ninja Theory, Frontier, Geomerics and a host of smaller indie developers. Our Computer Games Art department is a member of TIGA, the Business & University Games Syndicate, and a partner of the Global Science & Technology Forum, giving you access to cutting-edge research materials.

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Our MSc Computer Games Technology is designed to equip you with the specialist skills necessary for a career in programming in the Computer Games industry.

Postgraduate funding (tuition fee and living cost loan) may be available from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

Why choose this course?

Our MSc Computer Games Technology is designed to equip you with the specialist skills necessary for a career in programming in the Computer Games industry - a buoyant industry estimated to contribute as much as £1.7bn to the UK economy.

Our reputation for leading-edge courses in the field of computer games is well known. During your studies, you will benefit from being part of a community of like-minded individuals within our School of Arts, Media and Computer Games. With strong industry links and the opportunity to work on real team projects, you’ll benefit from developing the skills and expertise essential to computer games companies, as well as building your own network of contacts in this exciting industry. And of course, you’ll be located in the city of Dundee – identified as a key hub of games-making activity in the UK.

Introduction

Studying one of our leading computer games courses is your first step towards a rewarding career in one of the most exciting creative industries. Abertay graduates have gone on to work for leading computer games companies including Realtime Worlds, Sony, Electronic Arts and Rockstar North, or set up their own companies.

This course is aimed at students who wish to expand and focus their existing programming skills for the development of computer games. Designed and maintained in close association with games companies, the course also will provide you with access to a range of state-of-the-art facilities.

You will leave us with the confidence and skills to work in one of the most demanding industries in the world, and at a distinct advantage over other computing graduates intending a career in the games industry.

Join our Graduate School

Our Graduate School is a dedicated facility providing support, training and professional development opportunities to our vibrant postgraduate community. Specially designed to promote integration and inculcation of interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers, postgraduates study and learn together at Abertay - from Environmental Management to Law, Psychology, Bioscience, Economics and Business, Cybersecurity and Computer Games Development.

When you join us as a postgraduate student or researcher, you’ll be joining a community of creative like-minded scholars and will automatically be provided with access to our dedicated study and social spaces – a forum in which you can meet, work and learn with other researchers and postgraduates from across the University. You’ll benefit from training and professional development opportunities as well as support with funding applications, placement opportunities, teaching support, public engagement and outreach activity.

Further info

Employment opportunitis exist in a variety of sectors including computer games development, graphics and visualisation, multimedia and education.

Typical job titles include games programmer, graphics programmer, and AI programmer. Opportunities also exist for graduates to become self-employed, freelance contractors or to start their own games development business.

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You are expected to come from a technical background (Computer Science, Physics, Maths, Engineering) with an existing knowledge of programming and the course will build upon this, providing you with a combination of artistic sensibilities, problem-solving and technical skills, which can be applied to the role of technical director within the animation and games industries. Technical directors often have to work alongside computer animators and resolve technical problems either by configuring existing software tools or designing new tools.

During your year-long study, you will develop your programming and scripting skills, and become familiar with special techniques and tools associated with computer animation. These skills are assessed in a variety of projects you will undertake during the year. Emphasis is placed on the use of industry standard hardware and software in the development of these techniques. Typical examples include the development of C++ programs to test new algorithms, the writing of shaders to support rendering, and the developing of scripts and tools to create new effects. 

The academic aspects will provide you with a strong theoretical underpinning for the principal areas of study, including lecture series on computer graphics techniques, animation software development, principles of computer graphics, the fusion of art and technology, and personal research projects. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with students on the other two Master’s courses in the Group Project. This format provides a realistic setting to discover what it’s like working with other creative people and working to a strict timescale.

The course attracts students from all over the world, giving it a strong interdisciplinary, international feel.

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Course Description

The course addresses the design, development, procurement, use and management of models and simulations for applications in experimentation, training, testing, analysis and assessment of military forces, systems and equipment.

Overview

On successful completion of the course you will be familiar with the technologies, methodologies, principles and terminology of Modelling and Simulation as used across defence, including the challenges and issues as well as the benefits. Through use of facilities such as the Simulation and Synthetic Environment Laboratory (SSEL), with its wide range of specialist applications, students will gain a broad understanding of modelling and simulation in areas such as training, acquisition, decision-support, analysis and experimentation.

•10 places are normally available for the full-time cohort
•The course is suitable for both military and civilian personnel, including those from defence industry and government departments

Start date: Full-time: annually in September. Part-time: by arrangement

Duration: Full-time MSc - one year, Part-time MSc - up to three years, Full-time PgCert - one year, Part-time PgCert - two years, Full-time PgDip - one year, Part-time PgDip - two years

English Language Requirements

Students whose first language is not English must attain an IELTS score of 6.5.

Course overview

The modular form of the course, consisting of a compulsory core and a selection of standard and advanced modules, enables each student to select the course of study most appropriate to their particular requirements.

Standard modules normally comprise a week of teaching (or equivalent for distance learning) followed by a further week of directed study/coursework (or equivalent for part time and distance learning).

Advanced modules, which enable students to explore some areas in greater depth, are two week (or equivalent for part time and distance learning) individual mini-projects on an agreed topic in that subject, which includes a written report and oral presentation.

- MSc students must complete a taught phase consisting of eight standard modules, which includes two core modules (Foundations of Modelling and Simulation and Networked and Distributed Simulation), plus four advanced modules, followed by an individual thesis in a relevant topic. Thesis topics will be related to problems of specific interest to students and sponsors of local industry wherever possible.

- PgDip students are required to undertake the same taught phase as the MSc, but without the individual thesis.

- PgCert students must complete the core module (Foundations of Modelling and Simulation) together with five other modules; up to three of these may be advanced modules.

Modules

Part-time students will typically not study as a cohort, but will follow an agreed individual programme of study, attending courses as convenient.
Advanced Modules, which typically comprise individual self-study, can be selected to follow on from any standard modules that have been chosen.
Standard Modules, which typically involve traditional classroom instruction and/or VLE-based delivery, can be chosen from the following:

Core:
- Foundations of Modelling and Simulation
- Networked and Distributed Simulation

Elective:
- Advanced Computer Graphics
- Advanced Discrete and Continuous Simulation
- Advanced Logistics Modelling
- Advanced Modelling and Simulation
- Advanced War Gaming and Combat Modelling
- Computational Statistics
- Computer Graphics
- Discrete and Continuous Simulation
- High Performance and Parallel Computing
- Intelligent Systems
- Intelligent Systems - Research Study
- Logistics Modelling
- Networked and Distributed Simulation Exercise
- Neural Networks
- Programming and Software Development in C
- Statistical Analysis and Trials
- War Gaming and Combat Modelling
- Weapon System Performance Assessment

Individual Project

An individual research project on an agreed topic that allows you to demonstrate your technical expertise, independent learning abilities and critical appraisal skills.

Assessment

Continuous assessment, written examinations, oral vivas and (MSc only) thesis.

Proportions of different assessment types will vary according to programme and modules taken. For an MSc these might typically comprise 15-24% continuous assessment (written and oral), 36-45% written examinations and 40% thesis/dissertation.

Career opportunities

Equips you for simulation-specific appointments within the armed forces or government, or in the defence related activities of commercial organisations.

For further information

On this course, please visit our course webpage http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Courses/Masters/Defence-Simulation-and-Modelling

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Games consoles and mobile devices are now ubiquitous, and computer graphics production has developed so rapidly that the best visual effects are those that you don't realise are there.

The Creative Technology programme is designed to introduce you to the rapidly emerging areas of computer science where technology impacts the creative design process. With a focus on the production of industry-relevant content, the programme introduces the theory behind animation and special effects production, interaction design and robotics. You will explore a wide range of topics, experience the entire creative design process and develop key skills in independent research.

Programme structure

You will study taught units between September and mid-June. After completing the taught units, you will work on a project between mid-June and late September.

Core units
-Animation production
-Character and set design
-Computer graphics
-Image processing and computer vision
-Research skills
-Server software
-Web technologies

You will also be able to choose from a variety of optional units.

Project
You must complete a project that consists of researching, planning and implementing a major piece of work. The project must contain a significant scientific or technical component and will usually involve software development. It is usually submitted in September.

Careers

This programme is designed to give you a significant advantage in the fast-paced world of emerging creative technologies industries. The programme will also give you the knowledge and experience to continue studying for a PhD, or to enter a career in research. With strong links to industry through the faculty’s academic staff and the University of Bristol Careers Service, we are well placed to support you in your career aspirations in industry or furthering your academic career.

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