The computer games industry needs graduates with strong technical skills and a flair for creative design. This degree provides technical, gamesbuilding skills, as well as a more general computer science education.
Overview
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) for fulfilment of the academic requirement for Chartered IT Professional, and for partial fulfilment of the academic requirement for Chartered Engineer and Chartered Scientist.
The computer games industry needs graduates with strong technical skills and a flair for creative design. This degree provides technical, games building skills, as well as a more general computer science education.
Why Computer Science with Games Technology at City?
- Over 70% of our undergraduate students were employed within six months of graduation - compared to the national average of 68.7% (HESA statistics, 2010)
- Each course shares a common first year, which gives you the flexibility to change course (to any of those listed below - subject to approval) after a year's study if required.
Developed by Games Industry Experts
Getting hands-on industry experience is key to our students' career developments. Lectures are developed and delivered by industry experts. We also have strong links with games companies, helping our MSc and BSc students to find internships and placements as part of their courses. We source opportunities, help students with applications and support them while they are on internships and placements.
Companies that have offered these opportunities to City students in the past include Sony, EA , Criterion, Jagex, Playfish, Eutechynyx, Beefjack, Ideaworks and Playpen.
Videos - you can find other student work in our games technology video channel
Alessandro Marmo (2011 games BSc Advanced Games Coursework) OpenGL game written in C++
James Barlow-Bignell (2011 games BSc Advanced Games Coursework) OpenGL game written in C++
City offers you a wide choice of exciting, distinctive, and professional degrees in IT and Computing - taught by the School of Informatics and delivered in purpose-built new premises with specialist teaching rooms and laboratories. All our courses will equip you for fast-track careers in the IT industry, commerce, research and consultancy.
Placements
Additionally, as part of your course, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience, whilst earning, alongside your studies - through one of our placement schemes:
- One-year placement - These are taken after students have successfully completed their second year of studies; students work between nine and fifteen months on placement before returning to City to complete their final year
- Professional Pathway Scheme - This scheme is unique to City and offers students the opportunity to combine placement employment (and earnings) whilst studying.
About the School of Informatics
Entry Requirements:
- A-level: 360 UCAS tariff points
- BTEC: DDM
- IB: 32
Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £13,000
Start Date:
23/09/2013
UCAS code:
G490
Entry Requirements
For entry in 2013
Require one of the following:- A-level: 360 UCAS tariff points. Point scores exclude general studies and key skills. A/AS-levels in mother tongue other than English count at half value
- BTEC: DDM
- IB: 32. Science, technology and mathematics subjects are preferred, and at least one such subject should be offered
- Overseas, other UK qualifications and relevant work experience will be considered on the basis of equivalence to our A-level intake
- 14-19 Advanced Diploma: we accept the Advanced 14-19 Diploma on the same standing as A-levels based on the UCAS tariff.
Pre-requisites
Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above.
Other Suitable Qualifications
Foundation Programmes
If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion of the International Foundation in Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.
English Requirements
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 87 internet-based total
- GCSE: English language grade C.
English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Please click the links below for more information.
Visa Requirements
City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
Course Content
A degree in Computer Science with Games Technology will help you develop your career in an exciting and dynamic industry.
You will gain:
- Advanced knowledge of games theory, graphics and games design
- Leading-edge, computer programming expertise
- Specialist skills for building computer games software
While at City, you will:
- Become proficient in a broad range of programming languages
- Become proficient in software design techniques
- Develop commercially, valuable skills and create a portfolio of technical demonstrations and games
- Develop expertise in computer games programming, software and technologies.
Course Structure
The structure of your degree is based around three parts, each corresponding to one year of a three-year degree. Commonality is emphasised as far as possible allowing you maximum flexibility to change your degree course once registered.
Assessment is usually by a combination of examination and coursework, though some components, such as the team project are assessed by coursework alone. Your final degree classification is calculated from your second and final years, with the weighting 40 percent to 60 percent.
A one-year placement is invariably taken between the second and final year. In the case of the Professional Pathway, Parts II and III are spread over three years.
Part I: Foundations
All core games modules involve the creation of a portfolio element. A final year project gives you the opportunity to perform client-based work in conjunction with the computer games industry.
You will gain a firm foundation in computing covering topics such as programming, software engineering, computer architecture, databases and the mathematics needed to understand and model computer systems. Communication and business skills, essential for a successful career in IT, are also covered.
We offer a common first year for all our our courses, allowing you ample time to make an informed choice of which computing degree to study.
Part II: Core knowledge and skills
You will learn the core knowledge and skills needed in the IT profession, including topics such as networking and human-computer interaction. A group project plays an important role in developing your team-working skills in a software development environment. You will also study topics relevant to your specialism, such as data structures and algorithms for computer science, and organisational behaviour for business computing.
Part III: Advanced topics
You will have the opportunity to gain knowledge of your specialism and broaden your education by selecting topics from our wide range of final year elective modules. Your individual project will demonstrate to employers that you can apply your knowledge and devise a novel solution to a problem. Your project may be undertaken in conjunction with one of our research groups in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction or software engineering. Alternatively, you may undertake your project with the company you worked for while on placement. For example, a current student is developing a system to help monitor and control costs in a blue-chip company.
Electives
We offer you a wide range of regularly updated elective topics allowing you to specialise or broaden your studies as you wish.
Download more examples of modules and electives
Course Details
Specialist topics covered include:
- 2D and 3D graphics
- Game engine architecture
- Game physics and audio
- NPCs and game AI
- Programming in C++
- Vector and matrix mathematics
- The games development process
This degree is suitable for you if:
- You can apply your imagination to complex problems
- You like computer programming and gaming
- You want to work in a dynamic and successful part of British industry
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
Teaching is a combination of lectures, case studies, seminars and laboratory sessions. Project and group work aim to develop creativity and problem solving and play a major part in the course. Communication and professional development skills are covered in the first year. Teaching is also supported online by the e-learning system.
Assessment
Assessment is by examination and coursework though some components, such as the team project, are assessed by coursework alone. Your final degree classification is calculated from your second and final years, with the weighting of 40 percent to 60 percent respectively.
Read the full programme specification.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £13,000
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships
Scholarship for 2013 entrants: Up to £3,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.Placements
As part of your course, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the games industry, whilst earning, alongside your studies - through one of our placement schemes:
- One-year placement - These are taken after students have successfully completed their second year of studies; students work between nine and fifteen months on placement before returning to City to complete their final year
- Professional Pathway Scheme - This scheme is unique to City and offers students the opportunity to combine placement employment (and earnings) whilst studying.
Career Prospects
This degree is recognised by the British Computer Society, exempting you from their professional examinations and offering a pathway to chartered status. Careers include working as a key technical specialist in the computer games industry and your broad knowledge of computer science and sophisticated programming skills will make you attractive to employers in other industries too.
Find out how studying at City University London helps you to improve your job prospects.
Find out more about City University London
Computer Science with Games Technology
UCAS code: G490
Applications for degree courses must be made through UCAS. You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Rosehill, New Barn Lane,
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
www.ucas.com
UCAS Customer Service Unit telephone numbers:
- For callers in the UK: 0871 468 0 468
- For callers outside the UK: +44 (0)871 468 0 468
- For callers with hearing difficulties
- From the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0 468
- From outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0 468.
When to apply
Your application for entry in September 2013 should arrive at UCAS between 1 September 2013 and 15 January 2014. Applications that arrive after 15 January 2014 will be considered only at the University's discretion. When your application is acknowledged by UCAS, you will be sent a personal identification number so that you can access your records via Track on the UCAS website.
Enquiries
For general enquiries about the admissions process, please contact the
Admissions Office.
T: +44 (0)20 7040 8716/0223
E: ugadmissions@city.ac.uk
If your enquiry is about admission to a particular course, you should contact the admissions tutor for that course (please see the course description for contact details).
