Masters Degrees in Games

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 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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This MA responds to the pressing need for a high quality postgraduate degree serving the computer games and entertainment industries. The emphasis is on games design, art and animation, and will also develop the fundamentals of computer programming, entrepreneurship/business, and your own practice. You'll also be able to work with industry partners- http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/ma-computer-games-art-design/

The computer games and interactive entertainment business is a fast-growing multi-billion dollar worldwide business, with games platforms from handhelds and mobiles including iPhones, iPads and Android phones, through consoles such as the Playstation 4, Xbox One and Nintento Wii U, to PCs and massively-multiplayer online games involving tens of thousands of people.

This MA will produce graduates who are well-positioned to have a career in this exciting worldwide industry, meeting the strong demand for graduate computer games designers and artists in the UK and abroad. The programme is delivered by a mix of professionals from the games and effects industries and from the research world.

Potential employers include EA, Ubisoft, Sony SCEE, Creative Assembly, Microsoft, Cinesite, Framestore, and many others.

The influence of computer games is spreading to other digital industries, with gamification and games-based learning, social machines and interactive visualisation of scientific and financial data all exploiting techniques from computer games, and all fields where graduates from this MA could make their mark.

Industry placements
We work closely with industry leaders to shape the course content and to offer industry placements at studios including:

Creative Assembly Sega
Reflections Ubisoft
Sony SCEE
Supermassive
Splash Damage
Climax Studios
Hadrian York
Ideaworks
Rebellion

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Professor William Latham.

Modules

The skills you will learn throughout the programme will have a focus on games design, art and animation, in addition to gaining the fundamentals of computer programming, entrepreneurship/business and practice.

We expect that you will leave this programme with strong creative skills, production experience and management capability, giving you the potential for senior roles in the computer games and entertainment industries.

Skills
This MA builds on the success of the MSc in Computer Games and Entertainment, and will develop your skills in game design, art and animation. You'll have the opportunity to work with students from this industry-recognised programme on placements and final projects. Through these creative collaborations with artists, games designers and developers we hope that many exciting and innovative projects will emerge. This mix of students also replicates the typical mix of workers in games development and special effects studios.

It's likely that this will encourage exciting and innovative projects to emerge, through creative collaborations

Careers

You'll be well equipped to pursue a career in the computer games industry, covering mainstream computer games for mobile, PC, tablet and console platforms, through to gamification and 'serious games'.

Or you could choose to work in the broader entertainment industries – including advertising, special effects, television and web/design studios.

Graduate employment destinations of our computing programmes include:

Games development studios (including Rebellion, Supermassive, Creative Assembly, MindCandy)
Games publishers (including EA, Ubisoft, Microsoft, Zynga and Sony SCEE)
Special effects and TV companies (including Framestore, Double Negative, The Foundry)
The advertising industry (including M&C Saatchi, JWT)
Web development and design companies (including Dock9, We R Interactive)
'Serious games' companies (including PlayGen)
Start-up companies founded by students

Funding

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

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This course develops the high-level skills required to create new computer games for the leisure and education industries. It gives students the chance to learn a variety of software engineering techniques for games, ranging from low-level programming languages for fast games to high-level and computer network environments for distributed games.

This course is designed to meet the increasing demand for postgraduates with the high-level skills needed to help create new computerised games for the leisure and education industries.

Games development companies are finding it difficult to recruit staff with software engineering skills. Games development is a highly competitive market and to compete companies need highly qualified people to maintain their cutting-edge status within the global games industry. This also enables them to exploit new discoveries in software and computer architecture technologies. As a result, career prospects for Computer Games Systems graduates are excellent.

MSc Computer Games Systems is taught by highly experienced staff members, many of whom are involved with cutting-edge research that ensures their teaching remains at the forefront of computing technology.

Coupled with the strength of our teaching and facilities is the direct relevance of the MSc Computer Games Systems course content. You will have the chance to learn a range of software engineering techniques for games, ranging from low-level programming languages for fast games to high-level and computer network environments for distributed games. This will enable you to build and develop your specialist knowledge in the area(s) of gaming that excite your interest.

The taught part of the course will give you the high quality academic knowledge in games prototyping, artificial intelligence and 3D algorithms that is now in demand within the global games industry.

Modules:

-3D Algorithms
-Advanced Software Engineering
-Artificial Intelligence for Games
-Games Prototyping
-Major Project
-Research Methods
-Software Engineering for Games Design

COME VISIT US ON OUR NEXT OPEN DAY!

Register here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/university-life-and-nottingham/open-days/find-your-open-day/science-and-technology-postgraduate-and-professional-open-event2
The course is a part of the School of Science and Technology (http://www.ntu.ac.uk/sat) which has first-class facilities (http://www.ntu.ac.uk/sat/facilities).

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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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A ground-breaking MA in Games Design and Development. The course combines input and tuition from leading games industry experts in design, art, production and audio with NFTS expertise in disciplines including screenwriting, animation, sound design and composition, to pioneer unique and innovative games.

-Taught by leading games practitioners and experts in the field.
-An interdisciplinary learning experience. You’ll work alongside students from other NFTS courses including sound design, composing, screenwriting, cinematography, producing, production design, digital effects, editing and production management.
-Build an in depth knowledge of all games design and development disciplines.
-Develop industry contacts through conferences, event attendance, trade association involvement and visits from industry practitioners and luminaries.
-Gain a practical knowledge of games software development, and the ability to experiment with new pipelines and evolving technologies and techniques.
-Work on high profile solo and group projects, with plenty of opportunities to experiment, innovate and excel.
-Unlike other schools, production costs are met by the school.

We welcome EU/EEA Students. Those accepted onto courses starting in 2018 will have their fees guaranteed at the UK rate for both years of the course. Postgraduate students can apply for a loan to help with their studies via the Student Loans Company Loans. A £ 10,000 loan is available to contribute to course and living costs. The Post Graduate Loan is only open to EU/EEA and UK Students who normally live in England. It is not currently available to Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland Students. Find out more here: https://nfts.co.uk/our-courses/masters/games-design-development

COURSE OVERVIEW

The MA in Games Design and Development is a world-leading postgraduate games programme taught by leading games professionals with a reputation, accreditation and alumni unlike any other. Students work alongside film, television and animation practitioners, developing creative and technical skills in games design, code, art, animation, production, audio and interface. The NFTS is a uniquely creative environment, enabling MA Games students to benefit from numerous collaborative opportunities across our production studios.

WHY STUDY GAMES DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT?

Videogames are a relatively young medium. The industry is continually innovating and evolving, and new platforms and technologies have created fantastic opportunities for technical invention and artistic innovation. The NFTS Games course provides the practical skills and creative knowledge to design, devise and build games, from inception to delivery. We strive to develop the creative leadership necessary to become a leading innovator and practitioner within the industry.

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Take your computer game development skills to the next level. Study, plan, produce and test games in our specialist studios. Working alongside students from our Computer Games Development Art course, you’ll gain experience in multi-disciplinary working and create an advanced portfolio.

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.

The UK video games industry is worth £3.78 billion and there’s currently a recognised skills shortage of skilled games designers. If you have a first degree in computer science or a similar technical degree, our course will give you the skills to confidently create advanced level games.

Based in Cambridge, the heart of the UK’s games development industry, you’ll work in our Computer Game Development studio and hub, where you’ll create games both on your own and in teams, and gain the technical design skills to publish successfully across a range of platforms.

As well as furthering your development skills, you’ll also focus on games programming and tailor your research project so that you can concentrate on developing skills in an area that you’re passionate about.

We constantly focus on entrepreneurial opportunities, and sharing modules with our MA Computer Games Development (Art) means you’ll work with different strands of the games industry and meet and build your contacts ready for your career. Everything you design will also build into a valuable portfolio to help you secure your dream job when you graduate.

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

Careers

It can take up to three years to create a game, all the way from initial concept to the finished product. One game can involve up to 200 professionals working as a team.

As a game developer, you could design the visual styling as well as how it plays. You could be involved with animating characters and objects, creating audio, programming, testing and producing.

Besides working in the leisure/entertainment sector, you could use your skills to develop ‘serious’ games. These are used in rehabilitation, education and training, defence, science, health, city planning and engineering.

You could also go into a career in marketing, teaching or general technology.

You’re also in the perfect position to continue your academic career and move up to our Computer Science PhD.

Modules & Assessment

Core modules:
• Games Programming
• Portfolio
• Games Development 1
• Games Development 2
• Research Methods
• Major Project

Assessment

We’ll ensure you’re on track through a combination of written and practical work, both as an individual and as team activities.

Where you'll study

The Faculty of Science & Technology is one of the largest of five faculties at Anglia Ruskin University. Whether you choose to study with us full- or part-time, on campus or at a distance, there’s an option whatever your level – from a foundation degree, to a BSc, MSc, PhD or professional doctorate.

Whichever course you pick, you’ll gain the theory and practical skills needed to progress with confidence. Join us and you could find yourself learning in the very latest laboratories or on field trips or work placements with well-known and respected companies. You may even have the opportunity to study abroad.

Everything we do in the faculty has a singular purpose: to provide a world-class environment to create, share and advance knowledge in science and technology fields. This is key to all of our futures.

Visit your faculty - http://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology

Where can I study?

Cambridge - Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
http://www.anglia.ac.uk/student-life/life-on-campus/cambridge-campus

Specialist facilities

You’ll spend plenty of time in our Games Development Studio, which simulates a commercial working studio and features up-to-date hardware and software. We currently have a range of industry standard software including Unity 3D, Unreal Engine 4, Maya, 3ds Max, Microsoft Visual Studio and Photoshop, as well as GameMaker, 3DGameStudio, Adobe Flash and Action Script, Microsoft XNA Game Studio, GIMP, Blender, Fusion, and Audacity.

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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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-The MA Games Art and Design degree allows you to develop your Games Art and Design skills and knowledge to a professional level
-You will produce a commercial-standard personal portfolio that reflects the forefront of current practices in approach, style and vision
-Explore the theoretical and contextual understanding of games art, its audiences and significances in our contemporary media culture
-Develop professional-level enquiry, research, creative invention, project planning and management practices
-On this masters degree you will learn in a multi-disciplinary environment through discussion and the exploration of ideas

Why choose this course?

This MA Games Art and Design degree meets the needs of the games industry. The games industry has developed dramatically from the days of the solo practitioner to become a global market where large teams of artists work in unison to create content for the next generation of interactive game technologies. The current games art and design practitioner is likely to become a specialist in one area, such as character modelling, environment creation, lighting, animating etc. This award fuses technical knowledge of real-time rendering with the aesthetic decisions and traditional skills you will need as a games artist.

On this postgraduate Games Art and Design degree, your study will include ways of thinking about the cultural resonance of your work and about the audiences it is made for, about the nature of creativity, and the role of the Cultural Industries in a modern knowledge economy. Through your study you will develop a range of project management skills, and an ability to identify and manage your own learning. You will consider the role of enterprise opportunities in commercial, professional and social environments. Enquiry, research and clear communication underpin work throughout the programme. As well as specialist modules in your chosen discipline area the programme includes modules that are shared with other postgraduate awards in the School of Creative Arts.

The structure of MA Games Art and Design promotes cross-discipline discussion and maintains the enthusiasm and focus of discipline specialists. It enables you to develop the key transferable skills of postgraduate study grounded in activities that have currency, relevance and application for your future career and for further academic study.

The MA Games Art and Design course, part of the postgraduate Media programme, offers you a coherent learning in one of several awards. It enables you to develop creative practical skills in a discipline of your choosing. That work may extend your existing skills, knowledge and understanding, or it may mean a change of direction, new learning, and new experiences. Induction, seminars and social events for students and staff mean that you will be part of a friendly and supportive postgraduate community, which includes film makers, musicians and professionals working in new media. Senior research staff and internationally renowned professionals work with postgraduate students, helping you to develop original and challenging work.

Careers

Particular emphasis is given to providing you with the skills necessary to further your career as an Games Artist. The course is designed to help you understand and work within the contemporary media environment.

You will also acquire enquiry and information handling skills, enterprise skills in the development and presentation of ideas, in communicating in the spoken and written word, and addressing particular audiences.

Teaching methods

On this programme teaching and learning emphasises enquiry led project work, developing the kind of independence and autonomy that is appropriate for postgraduate education. Lectures, seminars and other discussions bring students together in multi-disciplinary groups where ideas are shared, challenged, developed. Workshops and other activities develop specific discipline centered skills and understandings while tutorials develop individual study trajectories and responses to assignment tasks and briefs.

Much of the time students are engaged in self-managed independent study, undertaking enquiries and research, developing skills, inventing and developing ideas, realizing project outcomes, exploring the cultural resonance of their work.

All students on the PG Media programme engage in an interdisciplinary project as a part of their MA study, giving them an opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in an experimental and creative way.

Work Placement

There are work related learning opportunities on this course, all students complete a live external brief as part of their coursework.

Structure

Core Modules
-Creative Economies
-Major Study: Games Art and Design
-Media Discourses
-Practice 1: Media
-Practice 2: Media
-Research and Enquiry

Optional
-Creative Economies (Online)
-Research and Enquiry (Online)

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The Scottish Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education at the University of Abertay Dundee offers a unique postgraduate experience.

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?

-Develop core development skills through applied project work, supported by experienced industry practitioners
-Enhance skills in interdisciplinary communication and collaboration through team work with students and practitioners from other areas of games development
-Apply developing technologies and practices to your own projects, and demonstrate your work to leading industry figures
-Nurture relationships with fellow developers, industry professionals and companies through your demonstrable skill in the creation of games, industrial mentorships and published research.
-The Scottish Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education at Abertay University offers a unique postgraduate experience, specifically designed in discussion with game industry partners, and identified by one leading CEO as, ‘The course the Games Industry has been waiting for!’.

As postgraduate students, highly-talented individuals work within games development teams towards the production of innovative computer games solutions. Working closely with a team of full-time staff who are highly-experienced in both the games industry and in academic teaching, and under the guidance and mentorship of computer games industry representatives, you will develop professional skills and knowledge relevant to identified development roles within the industry.

During the course of your studies you will ultimately be expected to demonstrate applied excellence in your specialist area, as well as professionalism, flexibility, the ability to adapt in team working situations, and creativity and innovation towards product development.

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.

What you study

The goal of the MProf in Games Development is to turn graduates into professional developers by placing them into development teams, with industry-relevant project goals and deliverables. The teams enjoy a high level of independence in how they meet the game design briefs and approach the development process.

Supervision, mentorship and academic support look to emphasise the consequences of their decisions and processes, allowing the students to experience an organic and logical development and evolution of best practices. In addition, students develop their awareness in areas of potential innovation and research, and are encouraged to publish their work.

The remaining core elements of the course seek to separate the myths from the realities of working in the games industry, and expand students’ awareness of design considerations with regards to the comparative importance and impact of narrative and gameplay theories. Uniquely, students select optional modules from across the entire university, allowing further development of their core skills if required, but more specifically allowing for a more individual and tailored learning experience through the additional study of areas of personal interest such as business, marketing, psychology and perception.

Open, flexible working spaces

We have developed a unique concept of learning environment and creative incubator, encompassing ways of teaching that focus on building general skills alongside the subject-specific knowledge to support your career and life objectives. It is designed to give you the edge in the global knowledge economy when you graduate.

This White Space environment is a thriving hub of activity, mixing the talents of undergraduates, postgraduates, lecturers, business people, artists and broadcasters, surrounding our students with the buzz of a real working environment, allowing them to share real-world knowledge and experience.

How you learn and are assessed

Assessment methods throughout the core modules focus on formative (constant) assessment through regular meetings and discussion sessions, rather than exams. This is to allow students to improve in confidence, communication skills and core discipline skills as they progress, allowing them to try new working practices and approaches as and when they may be required. An emphasis is placed on effective participation as a team player, and in correctly identifying and prioritising a project’s key requirements and challenges.

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Computer games are expected to reach a global revenue of $111bn in 2015; yet over half of the UK’s video games employers reported a lack of suitably-skilled graduates in 2011. Both for entertainment and for more serious purposes such as virtual reality training, computer games, gamification and games intelligences are increasingly important in today’s world. This is your opportunity to turn your passion into a career.

At Essex we specialise in virtual worlds, machine learning, artificial intelligence and high-level games design and development. On our course, you develop both theoretical and practical knowledge of computer games. Our flexible approach allows you to fill gaps in your knowledge and brush up on a variety of languages, making sure you’re ready to bring your designs to life.

You explore topics including:
-Game design
-Game AI
-3D games development
-Mobile app programming
-Physics-based games

Our School is a community of scholars leading the way in technological research and development. Today’s computer scientists are creative people who are focused and committed, yet restless and experimental. We are home to many of the world’s top scientists, and our work is driven by creativity and imagination as well as technical excellence.

We are ranked Top 10 in the UK in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, with more than two-thirds of our research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent (REF 2014).

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).This accreditation is increasingly sought by employers, and provides the first stage towards eventual professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Our expert staff

The University of Essex was the birthplace of the ‘virtual world’. Multi-User Dungeons (MUD) – multi-player, real-time virtual worlds – were created by our students, including Richard Bartle, who still teaches Computer Games here today. Richard was also included in Geek.com’s list of the most influential game developers of all time.

Our research staff also include Professor Victor Callaghan, who researches immersive reality, creative science and education technology; Dr Michael Gardner, who researches virtual reality systems and mixed-reality environments; and Dr Adrian Clark, who works on computer graphics and augmented reality.

More broadly, our research covers a range of topics, from materials science and semiconductor device physics, to the theory of computation and the philosophy of computer science, with most of our research groups based around laboratories offering world-class facilities.

Our impressive external research funding stands at over £4 million and we participate in a number of EU initiatives and undertake projects under contract to many outside bodies, including government and industrial organisations.

Specialist facilities

We are one of the largest and best resourced computer science and electronic engineering schools in the UK. Our work is supported by extensive networked computer facilities and software aids, together with a wide range of test and instrumentation equipment.
-Essex is one of three co-founding universities of the new Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence
-We have six laboratories that are exclusively for computer science and electronic engineering students. Three are open 24/7, and you have free access to the labs except when there is a scheduled practical class in progress
-All computers run either Windows 7 or are dual boot with Linux
-Software includes Java, C++, Perl, MySQL, Matlab, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project
-Students have access to CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OPNET)
-We also have specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors

Your future

Graduates of our School go on to work for giants in the field such as Intel and Panasonic, but the corporate route isn’t for everyone. Some of the most exciting and innovative work in the field is being developed by small start-up companies. Our optional business module focuses on developing your entrepreneurial spirit, teaching you how to apply your technical and creative skills to your own venture.

Our recent graduates have progressed to a variety of senior positions in industry and academia.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Game Design
-Game Artificial Intelligence
-Physics-Based Games
-Mobile & Social Application Programming
-MSc Project and Dissertation
-Professional Practice and Research Methodology
-Group Project (Incorporating a Game Jam)
-Programming in Python (optional)
-Intelligent Systems and Robotics (optional)
-Machine Learning and Data Mining (optional)
-Text Analytics (optional)
-Virtual Worlds (optional)
-High-Level Games Development (optional)
-Natural Language Engineering (optional)
-Creating and Growing a New Business Venture (optional)

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Casual games studios now make up a high percentage of the UK games industry, producing games that are easy to pick up and play through websites, social networking sites, mobile phones, tablets and games consoles. Subject matter is typically non-violent, and gameplay often incorporates puzzle solving or an exciting twist on a simple mechanic.

Course details

This games development master’s course gives you the business, theoretical and practical skills needed to succeed in this rapidly growing industry. You learn to develop compelling games with exciting mechanics and strong gameplay, both as an individual and as part of a team. While the main focus is on casual games development, the skills we teach also apply to roles within the broader games industry. As well as developing core theoretical and practical design skills, you also develop your entrepreneurial abilities to equip you for work as an independent developer in the social, casual and mobile games field.

What you study

You advance your knowledge and understanding of business, design theory and technical issues within the field of computer game development and related industries. In lectures and seminars you examine the specialist skills necessary to design and construct strong games pitches, demos and prototypes, as well as advanced creative and business solutions to the problems involved in independently developing computer games.

Modules
-Game Development
-Game Mechanics
-Game Prototyping
-Master’s Project: Games Development
-Rapid Application Development
-Studio Development and Professional Practice

Modules offered may vary.

Teaching

You experience a number of different approaches to learning and teaching including:
-Lecture sessions
-Tutorial and practical sessions
-Workshops and studio sessions
-Freelance sessions and workshops
-Online and blended delivery
-Self-directed study

Critical reflection is key to successful problem solving and essential to the creative process. To develop your own reflective practice at an advanced level, you test and assess your solutions against criteria that you develop in the light of your research.

The programme includes a variety of assessment methods including presentations, peer review, critique, reports and production of artefacts.

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This Masters in Commercial Games Development provides students with an intellectual experience of study in the field of games technology. Developed and delivered by staff with both technical and commercial expertise, you will be engaged in advanced research and enterprise activity within PlayWest, UWE Bristol's in-house commercial games studio.

Key benefits

Designed to meet the increasing shortage of technically adept games developers and programmers, the course also offers a unique pathway of advanced professional development.

During the course, you will develop a portfolio of live commercial and technical projects, gaining practical experience, academic skills and a deeper awareness of commercial processes.

Course detail

As well as giving equal weight to both the research component and the games development component, the course aims to establish an essential bridge between ground-breaking academic research and the entertainment software industry itself, often overlooked or misunderstood by both.

Modules

• Commercial Games Studio - In this module you will focus on the development of commercial entertainment software products in a real-world industry setting. It will involve working on commercial projects slated for release or stakeholder handover.

• Games Research and Development - Immerse yourself in this rapidly moving stream of innovation, and learn how to deploy new technologies across a range of contexts and emerging application areas. This module forms the basis of a portfolio providing an entry point to research and development within the Games industry and also to academic research and real-world application.

• Dissertation by Research and Development - This is your chance to show your grasp of a complex and specialised area of knowledge, and your software engineering skills, by addressing a research problem with theoretical and methodological approaches.

Format

The two taught modules will use collaborative game development techniques to help you develop both individual technical skills and advanced team working skills.

Staff will be embedded in the activities, leading teams and individuals under industry conditions.

You will use reflective video logs and streaming as effective industry and academic resources. Game jam learning will be used for producing prototypes, strengthening group dynamics and fostering continuing professional development and communities of practice.

Assessment

We will use a variety of assessment tools appropriate to the modules.

For Advanced Games Development, you will submit a portfolio with group and individual vivas.

For the Research and Development for Games module, assessment will be through video development logs, prototypes and a technology research portfolio of academic standard research papers.

Careers / Further study

As well as post-doctoral study and employment in PlayWest itself, the course prepares students for a diverse range of roles within games development (indie and AAA provision), visualisation, virtual and augmented reality, software provision, visual effects, and mobile and app development.

How to apply

Information on applications can be found at the following link: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/study/applyingtouwebristol/postgraduateapplications.aspx

Funding

- New Postgraduate Master's loans for 2016/17 academic year –

The government are introducing a master’s loan scheme, whereby master’s students under 60 can access a loan of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the cost of their study. This is part of the government’s long-term commitment to enhance support for postgraduate study.

Scholarships and other sources of funding are also available.

More information can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/postgraduatefunding.aspx

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This postgraduate Games Design course has been developed to provide part-time students the opportunity, support and guidance to fully explore the activity of designing and developing games of all types. What is particularly unique is that this MA Games Design is delivered entirely via the Internet using readily available online tools and proprietary applications. It is completely distance learning and there is no requirement for on-campus attendance.

The course team offers a rich mix of staff with current industry experience as well as practiced academic staff with significant experience in postgraduate delivery and academic research. The course seeks to encourage the inquiry into generally accepted ‘game design practice’ and strive to push the boundaries of what is achievable in this young discipline. Students are engaged through a wide ranging programme of stimulating lectures and tutorials to develop their knowledge and skills in the design of games.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

The MA Games Design has been specifically designed to accommodate the needs of part-time provision via distance learning. Students tend to be adults in employment who want to take the course on a part-time basis to fit around their other working commitments. We accommodate such needs by offering a clear structure of progression, balanced by flexible personal tutorials: for which you can expect to have weekly one-to-one contact with academic staff via web based visual conferencing. It is this bespoke interaction with academic staff that our students tell us they find both supportive and inspirational.

Weekly lessons are delivered electronically and the contents are discussed during video-based tutorials. Set exercises test the students understanding of each topic before moving on to the next.

Assessment is by 100 per cent coursework in the form of concise project reports or academic papers. For each of the 40 credit modules you undertake, you will have both a mid-module assignment and an end of module assignment to complete. Through weekly tutorials you will receive on-going formative feedback and guidance, but the final module mark and summative feedback is based on the end of module assignment only.

OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities within commercial design practice. Graduates will improve their chance of employment in the games industry with their demonstrated enhanced specialism and understanding developed on the course. Graduates will also find themselves strongly placed to develop their own practices and consultancies, or further themselves with the developing field of games design academia.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students are encouraged to pursue a unique personal line of inquiry within the broad subject area of Games Design. This culminates in the Postgraduate Project/Dissertation response at the end of the course. This activity is developed through specifically designed exercises and project briefs that promote the students' facility to analyse games and game play and formulate their own response to all manifestation of play and game types that occur.

Graduates of the course will have a sophisticated understanding of the design of games across a range of industry and theoretical standpoints. Fundamental to the philosophy of the course is the provision of an opportunity for students to explore and realise their individual aspirations and potential, creating a framework for developing more fully as skilled and informed professional practitioners. This is enabled through discussion and feedback with the course team and relevant peer groups.

Reflecting the diversity of activity that falls within the boundaries of games design the course encompasses three distinct strands of activity. These are design, art and modelling. In the commercial world of game development these strands are often interwoven and the emphasis can change from company to company. Likewise these strands can vary from individual project to project within a company. To accommodate this varied field of skills the common lecture theme of the course encompasses all of these activities and an individual engaged in the course may respond in one, two or all three of the strands of activity.

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Learn the skills to become a future technology leader on this technically oriented game programming course. Study the core C++ and graphics skills essential for contemporary game development and experience the way that gaming projects are developed and managed within the industry. Gain access to the largest PlayStation teaching facilities in the world, and use the same software, tools and techniques as the mainstream games industry.

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.

For more information, see the website: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/find-a-course/msc-games-software-development

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), PlayStation® First and TIGA (The Independent Game Developers Association).

Course structure

Full time – 13 months
Part time – 2 years
Starts September.

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

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

MSc
-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.

Other admission requirements

You must also satisfy us that you have an appropriate level of skill to succeed on the course by demonstrating competency with the C++ programming language. You complete a short multiple-choice test consisting of a series of questions about the C++ language and its associated execution behaviour. We also require one suitable reference. You need to demonstrate appropriate English skills, which is typically shown by having either:
-Completed a degree taught and assessed in English.
-An English GCSE at grade C or better.
-An IELTS score of 6.0 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English.

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