This course is one of the first of its kind in the UK and has a graduate employment rate of 97%. It prepares you for careers as software architects, project managers or software developers. You may also operate as a software consultant or do further research.
In collaboration with a number of high profile industrial leaders and computer game innovators, we have created an advanced course producing graduates with the potential to become future leaders in the global computer games industry.
The course is for honours graduates in computing science or a discipline with significant computing and/or mathematical content, such as computing, information systems, mathematics, engineering, systems engineering or physics.
You will benefit from:
-An industrial advisory board made up from high profile UK games companies
-Industrial placements at leading game studios
-Industry-sponsored prizes each year in categories such as Best Team, Best Project and Best Student
-A technical focus on game engineering
Newcastle has a first class record of research related to the development of computer game technologies and 97% of our graduates are in employment following graduation. Our graduates have gone on to work as programmers for a wide range of companies including:
-Ubisoft Reflections
-Fluid Pixel
-Nosebleed Interactive
The staff delivering this course have international reputations for their contributions to the fields of online gaming, graphics and simulation, artificial intelligence, programming and human computer interaction.
You will be encouraged to play a full part in the life of the School, participating in seminars delivered by distinguished external speakers. The experienced and helpful staff at Newcastle will be happy to offer support with all aspects of your course from admissions to graduation and developing your career beyond.
The course is available over one year full time, leading to an MSc award. We will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to develop computer game software. We will also provide an international perspective on advancements in computer game development.
There are three phases in the course. Phase one (60 credits) consists of 20 hours per week of lectures. We will introduce core knowledge and skills through modules in:
-Programming
-Graphics
-Game technologies
You will also undertake a substantial amount of supervised and unsupervised practical work.
During phase two (30 credits), we emphasise the practice of computer game development through modules in:
-Research methods for gaming innovations
-Entrepreneurial skills for the game industry
-The development and assessment of an actual computer game (team exercise)
Phase three (90 credits) is the individual system development or research project.
We have a policy of seeking British Computer Society (BCS) accreditation for all of our degrees, so you can be assured that you will graduate with a degree that meets the standards set out by the IT industry. Studying a BCS-accredited degree provides the foundation for professional membership of the BCS on graduation and is the first step to becoming a chartered IT professional.
Our Computer Game Engineering MSc has Creative Skillset Accreditation as well as being officially recognised as a NVidia CUDA Training Center.
The School of Computing Science at Newcastle University is an accredited and a recognised Partner in the Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science.
Facilities:
You will have dedicated computing facilities in the School of Computing. You will have access to the latest tools for system analysis and development, as well as an allocated PC and desk space in a project lab. For certain projects, special facilities for networking can be set up.
You will enjoy access to specialist IT facilities to support your studies, including:
We have moved to the new £58m purpose-built Urban Sciences Building. Our new building offers fantastic new facilities for our students and academic community. The building is part of Science Central, a £350 million project bringing together:
Computer game development remains one of the fastest growing industries in the digital technology sector, and as such there is an increasing demand for technical specialists, managers and consultants.
The course is designed to take technical development, management and entrepreneurial skills to a level required to access higher technical and managerial positions within studios, along with the necessary skills to create and maintain viable games/media businesses.
Building on the strong foundation of our successful Game Development programme, this course enjoys the benefits of close industry links with regular visits and guest speakers as part of an integrated programme of presentations, discussion groups and social events.
We have an excellent track record for graduate employment with many of our students going on to work at some of the UKs most recognisable game studios.
A key element of the course is its emphasis on blending advanced technical development with strong management and sustainable business skills. Through our unique Business Accelerator initiative, we deliver industry standard theory and practice allowing students to gain valuable experience of the business planning and finance along with the management of a game studio.
LEVEL 7 (MASTERS)
The programme has a strong technical focus with emphasis on professional quality throughout.
Areas covered include professional 3D modelling & sculpting skills with respect to 3D topology and optimisation of assets to ensure fitness for purpose. The design and development of game applications along with an understanding of modern publication and distribution processes.
Students will learn to analyse and optimise game applications with respect to technical performance and user experience. In addition, modern development and problem solving strategies for artificial intelligence within games will play an important role.
The Games Business & Enterprise module will develop business planning, leadership and strategic skills whilst encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity.
Through our Business Accelerator programme, students will have the opportunity to work closely with Business postgraduate students and access our business incubation centre with a view to starting and managing a game development studio.
Finally, the 60 credit dissertation will provide students with the platform to engage and explore a specialist area within the games and creative field whilst being supported by enthusiastic and experienced staff.
MODULES
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
Game Development students are assessed in a variety of ways over the course of their postgraduate studies. The balance between the different forms of assessment is determined by the different aims and learning outcomes of the modules.
Assessment methods include the production of digital (and non-digital) games, writing technical and academic papers, compiling and analysing data, giving presentations, writing strategic business plans, producing 3D professionally optimised 3D models and game assets.
Students will also be required to provide statistical evidence of work hours with supporting evidence as part of key assessment outcomes.
Independent learning is an important aspect of all modules, as it enables students to develop both their subject specific and key skills. Independent learning is promoted through the use of digital management tools such as Jira, and through feedback given to students, which takes several forms such as one-to-one discussions and interviews.
The MFA course is an advanced degree and prepares you for a career as both a video game composer and as a game sound designer, the kind of full-stack game audio professional that is increasingly in demand.
Scoring video games is rewarding and challenging but highly competitive.
Our real-world project based approach, tutored by working professional game composers and sound designers, is designed to help you compete at the highest level.
Being able to provide a complete audio service makes you much more employable.
The course will help you develop as a video games composer, raising your music to a new level, helping you find a voice and distinctive style of your own.
But then you go further and learn the technology and creative skills required to work as a video games sound designer, creating immersive audio worlds.
The course is project focused. We want you to feel like you’re already doing the job.
All your tutors are working professional video game composers and sound designers.
You will work on a inspiring range of games, including commercial releases, provided as part of your course materials. Y
ou will learn not only how to create inspiring interactive music and sound but also how to implement your audio inside the game using industry standard middleware like FMOD and WWise.
Whether you want to learn to compose for video games or are looking for a video game sound design course, our MFA will bring you real-world professional tuition you need to lay the solid foundations of a career in video game music and audio.
You will be uploading and downloading a large quantity of material so you should have access to a reliable broadband with a speed of at least 5Mbs or more.
We have found that the Google Chrome browser is the most compatible with the Adobe Connect webinar software we use which will also be an important part of your course. All your assignments are uploaded through the Student Portal on our website. This can also be accessed with any standard FTP client, for example CuteFTP on a PC or Transmit on a Mac.
You will need a computer, software and ancillary equipment (MIDI keyboard, monitors, hard drives both internal and external), Mac or PC, capable of producing professional quality music and audio, and recording equipment. This is the overriding principle and the following minimum technical specifications are given for guidance.
This is an intensive course with strict deadlines in order to mirror a real-world professional working environment. As such, students must be have acquired and be competent in the use of the minimum technical requirements prior to starting the course to get the most out of it. Students may be eligible for significant educational discounts.
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation):
We expect you to have a good knowledge of one computer based DAW:
Game Software:
You need to have a copy of the following programs but we do not expect you to know how to use them. The exact version number of this software is important, and the version we support may change. Full information on the current approved course software version is available through the VLE.
Recommended Additional Software:
*Subject to validation
The Msc Games Development course provides students with a higher-level understanding and direct professional experience through a multidisciplinary approach across commercial game projects.
This course is ideal for graduates who have completed our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design or BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming undergraduates degree, as well as those who have graduated from other related technical and creative subject areas who are wanting to enter the video games industry.
We have collaborative partnerships in place with community organisations and employers including commercial and third sector organisations.
Students will be exposed to work on commercial games, providing them with an understanding of business and enterprise as well as preparing students for working within a commercial studio setting.
One of our modules allows students to link up with the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC), providing them with access to more facilities and covering a range of business-related topics in connection with games development.
Development Management (mandatory)
This module provides students with industry standard management methodologies and tools used to run team game developments.
Visual Scripting (mandatory)
In this module. students learn how to develop games using visual scripting tools at high and low levels, depending on their discipline and background.
Group Project 1 - Multiple Rapid Prototyping (mandatory)
For this group project, students concept and rapidly develop game ideas, learning how to work efficiently as a team.
Group Project 2 (mandatory)
In this module, students will work on a longer 12-week development project.
Business Development (mandatory)
This moduled covers a range of core business skills relevant to both the independent and large scale development studios. This will be delivered by the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC) where students will have access to the Entrepreneurial Programme as well as unlimited access to the IWIC facilities.
Final Project (mandatory)
The Final Project involves independent learning as an extended dissertation covering a detailed exploration of an element of the games industry.
Research Methods (mandatory)
In this module, students will learn rigorous academic and commercial research skills.
Work-based practice is embedded throughout the duration of the course. All modules will relate to work-based learning, relating to commercial management processes or understanding production within a working environment. This will enhance employability and give graduates a greater understanding of games development within the work place.
Graudates can progress in to a range of careers including: Game Programmer, Games Designer, Games Artist, Quality Assurance, Serious Games Developer and Gamification Developer to name a few.
The MSc Game Development course will have access to the Eclipse Suite where students can access the facilities on specific days for independent working and group projects.
Students can benefit from a dedicated lab, access to two other game development labs and a range of game development hardware including, Oculus Rift, Emotive EPOC+ Brain interface, Leap motion, Myo, Phidget components for building custom game controllers, a range of mobile phones and tablets to test your games on.
Students will also have access to a common room area for MSc students and a custom games cabinet in which to run student games.
Gaming and multimedia have assumed an important place in our society, giving rise to a booming industry with turnovers exceeding those of the movie industry and generating leaps in computer software and hardware development. The Master’s programme in Game and Media Technology focuses on the technological aspects of gaming and multimedia in the context of computer science.
In the research programme of gaming and simulation, you will explore:
It also incorporates such aspects as drama, style, and emotions, with a focus on the technical aspects. Simulating the physics, biology, and psychology of the real world and bringing it to life in multi-sensory simulations are major challenges you will explore in our dynamic programme.
New types of games and hardware reach the market regularly. Moreover, there is increasing recognition of the value of games as an educational tool and the integration of multimedia tools into everyday life is continuing. This creates fertile grounds for those with an advanced degree in the area of Game and Media Technology.
This Master’s programme in Game and Media Technology provides you with both fundamental and applied knowledge of the techniques for handling spatial data. You will gain the skills to perform research, analyse, and solve scientific problems — and to keep up with research progress in the fields of geometry, imaging, and virtual environments. Game and Media Technology graduates are highly valued employees in many companies and research facilities.
Develop the skills and strong relationships with leaders in the UK digital games industry that will help you pursue a successful career in games.
As part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI) – a collaboration between Goldsmiths, the University of York, and the University of Essex – we are training the next generation of researchers, designers, developers and entrepreneurs in digital games.
It's a unique opportunity for you to undertake PhD research in collaboration with our 60 industrial games partners and world-leading academics.
The doctoral programme combines practical skills training with advanced teaching in cutting-edge research topics and the chance to contribute original research to a growing academic area.
There are 12 weeks of taught modules in the first year, covering:
You'll also undertake two industrial placements during the programme. This will give you first-hand industrial experience that will influence your research projects.
You could decide to carry out leading-edge research in emerging areas that could include:
Visist the IGGI website for more information about these broad research areas.
Develop the skills and strong relationships with leaders in the UK digital games industry that will help you pursue a successful career in games.
Once you've completed your PhD, you'll have developed highly employable skills.
You'll be able to lead and define the state of the art in gaming, and will have the skills needed to shape the industry into one that is both technologically advanced and research aware.
You'll also benefit from the relationships you developed with the UK digital games industry, which could form the basis of a network of professional contacts that is likely to be very useful in the future.
This course is aimed at creative graduates who want to develop the skills to work in the exciting area of games design. On this course you develop specialist skills to produce real-time game art with the latest 3D software used by industry. Areas include 3D modelling, asset design for props, environments and characters. The course is designed to allow you to specialise in the area of games design that is the most interest to you.
You focus on art and design fundamentals to underpin your 3D game designs as well as engaging with theory to develop your awareness of game mechanics and what makes games fun. These skills can be applied through game development projects undertaken in small teams with ‘Games Software Development’ students. You work in an ‘industry simulation’ style environment to produce game prototypes which could be released through our commercial studio ‘Steel Minions’. This gives you the opportunity to experience commercial team development practices in preparation for entering the industry.
Modules
Also • games design futures project • creative media research and development proposal • creative media professional practice project • creative media masters project
Assessment
Creative and skilled games artists and designers are in demand to meet the need for new and exciting products, as the industry relies on them to develop the next generation of games. Areas of work include • 2D and 3D art • animation • concept design • mobile, console and PC based platforms.
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