Games Software Development MSc

This is a technically oriented course for programmers interested in the technology of games. It is suitable for people seeking employment in programming roles within the games industry.

The course focuses on the implementation of real-time 3D applications using the C++ programming language in order to develop your understanding of 3D rendering and shader programming techniques.

You also study low-level hardware architectures for optimisation, including the novel architectures of games consoles and how to exploit them. We teach you project management techniques, including the stages of game production and the structure and operation of the games industry.

This course benefits from strong industry links with companies like Sony Computer Entertainment and Sumo Digital and industry accreditation from Creative Skillset and PlayStation®First. The lecturers have many decades of commercial games industry experience between them and share a passion for developing the next generation of talent.

PlayStation®First

This course is part of the PlayStation®First Academic Partnership Programme offered by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and has been awarded PlayStation®First status by fostering best practise in game related development skills across PlayStation® platforms. The programme provides unique access to PlayStation® professional development hardware (dev kits) and software (SDK) to equip students with industry relevant game development skills across PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Vita and PlayStation®Portable.

The Steel Minions

Sheffield Hallam University has its own commercially-licensed game studio which provides workplace simulation to students on the University's games degrees. It was the first university studio in the UK to release its own PlayStation® title and has a range of PlayStation, iOS and Android games in development.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by Creative Skillset (the Creative Industries' Sector Skills Council) and TIGA (The Independent Game Developers Association).

Course structure

Postgraduate certificate modules

• C++ boot camp
• Graphics and animation
• Hardware-oriented software engineering
• Software studio planning

Postgraduate diploma modules

• Special techniques for graphics and animation
• Game development practice
• Multi-processing and parallel technologies

MSc modules

• Research methods
• Individual project

Assessment

• PgCert – continuous assessment
• PgDip – continuous assessment involving a large group-based industrial project
• MSc – 25% continuous assessment and 75% individual research project

Employability

Good games software graduates are in high demand, and our course has been developed to meet the needs of the booming entertainment software industry.

We actively support your collaboration with external companies on your practical software development projects. This gives you real experience while learning and could lead directly to you gaining a job with one of these companies.

Visit the Games Software Development MSc page on the Sheffield Hallam University website for more details!