BSc (Hons) Computer Game Design & Enterprise

Course details

  • UCAS CodeGE17
  • Year of entry 2023, 2024
  • Duration 3 YRS (FT) 6 YRS (PT)
  • UCAS Tariff 80-112
  • Institution Code G53
  • Location Wrexham
A student tests out a game using a handheld controller

Course Highlights

2nd out of Welsh universities

for the teaching on my course (National Student Survey 2022)*

2nd in the UK

for course satisfaction (The Guardian University Guide 2022)*

4th in UK

for student experience (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022)*

Why choose this course?

Join a UK leading course designed to develop strong technical game design, business and production skills so you can be a future industry leader.

The team work closely with organisations such as UK Games Fund, Games Wales, BAFTA Cymru and the British Computing Society to ensure that our students always have access to cutting-edge industry-related training and knowledge.

We are home to the innovative Games Talent Wales programme and a UK regional Tranzfuser hub that is sponsored and supported by the UK Games Fund and UK Games Talent. Our business incubation centre is home to several award-winning student-owned game studios.

Students on this course will:

  • Develop essential game design and business start-up and management skills.
  • Learn about the workings of the games industry and the tools and platforms that are critical to success.
  • Gain valuable experience and insight into the game development process and the management of an independent game studio.
  • Enjoys the benefits of close industry engagement with regular visits, guest speakers, presentations, discussion groups and social events.
  • Work with a personal mentor with games development experience to help develop your skills and knowledge.
  • Have access to our in-house business incubation centre and the latest tools and technology in a specialist game development studio.
  • Develop a professional game development portfolio and critical employability skills.
  • *Study a course that is part of a subject area rated 2nd in the UK and 1st in Wales for satisfaction with the course in the Computer Science and Information Systems subject league tables, The Guardian University Guide 2022
  • *Study a course that is part of a subject area rated joint 2nd in Wales for teaching quality and 4th in UK for student experience in the Computer Science subject league tables, Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
  • *Study a course that is part of a CHA3 subject group ranked 2nd out of Welsh universities for the teaching on my course in the National Student Survey 2022.

This course is also available to study with industrial placement UCAS Code: CEIP - or with foundation year UCAS Code: GEFY (both are four year degrees)

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Key course features

  • Regular contact with games and media industry professionals through guest lectures, seminars and local & national events
  • You will be taught by an award-winning teaching team with professional industry backgrounds and experience
  • Engage with an active indie game development community and national talent development programme
  • Learn how to manage a professional game development team using industry-standard methodologies and practice
  • The course is an official BAFTA Cymru Games Awards partner and sponsor
  • Access to our in-house games business incubation centre
  • Work with the latest tools and technology in two specialist game development studios dedicated to designing, production, motion capture and VR
  • The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future.

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

Level 4 introduces both theoretical and practical skills as you will work as part of a small game development team and learn the basics of 2D & 3D design and development along with an understanding of the hardware used for gaming and media. There is a strong emphasis on production management along with building knowledge of business processes and entrepreneurship.

You will also explore the broader context of game development and the critical issues facing the industry today.

MODULES

  • Game Design & Interaction
  • Real-Time Environmental Art for Game Engines
  • Game Asset Development
  • Game Environments & Narrative Design
  • Game Industry & Agile Production Methodologies
  • Professional Development in Computing: Information Engineering

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

Level 5 builds on and expands your portfolio of skills to focus on product innovation and commercialisation along with an understanding of digital publication platforms and their associated business models. You will also develop your knowledge of digital sculpting and 3D modelling.

Critically, during the second semester you will further enhance your development and management skills by working on two substantial group game projects utilising industry-standard management methodologies and supporting tools. You will be expected to employ your management skills by acting as a scrum master during these development phases.

MODULES

  • Serious Games Technology
  • 3D Modelling & Animation For Game Engines
  • Game Production & Distribution Technology
  • Real-time Environmental Art for Game Engines
  • Group Project
  • Indie Studio Management & Game Production

Optional Industrial Placement Year

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

Level 6 further expands on the previous skills acquired, with a focus on professional quality and management alongside advanced practical skills.

The innovative final year group project is designed to deepen your understanding of your chosen role and responsibilities as a professional developer, further preparing you for the workplace. You will form a game development team and specialise in a technical role of your own choosing for a full academic year. You and your team will present the finished game at the annual LeveL Up Expo event attended by both members of the public and industry representatives.

Through our Business Accelerator programme, you will have the opportunity to work closely with Business undergraduate students and access to our business incubation centre with a view to starting and managing your own game development studio.

There is an emphasis on independent study throughout, developing a professional portfolio and pursuing exciting career prospects through continual assessment and dedicated project supervision.

MODULES

  • Project
  • Game Design, Marketing & Monetisation
  • Advanced 3D Modelling & Animation for Games 
  • Future Technology
  • Games Enterprise

 

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.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 80-112 UCAS tariff points at GCE A-level or equivalent. Appropriate AS-Level and Level 3 Key Skills qualifications will also be taken into account. In addition to this, applicants must have five GCSE passes at grades C/4 or above, including Mathematics and English/Welsh (First Language).

Teaching & Assessment

This course is portfolio focused and as such, there are no formal exams. Instead, students will focus on developing technical design, business and theoretical skills via practical assignments and research & development activities.

Assessment methods include the production of digital (and non-digital) games, writing technical and academic reports, compiling and analysing production data, giving presentations, writing business plans, producing 3D models and game assets.

At higher levels of the course, 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 including small group and one-to-one discussions.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Wrexham Glyndŵr University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers & Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Students completing this course may forge successful careers as game designers, games technical artists/animators, level designers/developers, producers, business development officer or scrum masters, app designers/developers.

Our graduates are employed by some of the worlds most recognisable brands such as Ubisoft, Sony, Nintendo, Rockstar and Travellers Tales. We also work hard to support graduates who choose to set up their own games studios based within our innovative business incubation centre.

This course delivers practical skills in 3D modelling, digital sculpting, game design, marketing, business and project management which will qualify you to work in a variety of roles within the industry.

Given the business and entrepreneurship skills acquired on the course, some graduates opt to start their own game studios with the support of our business incubation centre as part the Business Accelerator programme.

In addition, the technical skills acquired on the course allow graduates to pursue careers in many mainstream computing areas such as IT support, consultancy and internet and e-commerce applications development.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s tuition fees for 2023/24 for a full-time undergraduate degree course are £9000 per year.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the FAQs.

Accommodation

If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then take a look at our accommodation pages to get more information on your options, including our on-campus halls of residence Wrexham Village.

International

If you are applying as an European / International Student, and live outside of the UK, you should make your application through our online application system, Centurus.

For information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section