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Games Programming

  • 1 Study option
  • Undergraduate
5 Campuses
Awarded by:
University of Hertfordshire
More about SAE Institute

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Love games? Why not make them your life? With thousands of games companies in the UK alone, there is a real demand in the industry for talented, technically able graduates who can turn their creative visions into game realities.

This course covers technical programming skills, code optimisation, procedural content development and artificial intelligence. You’ll learn how to design levels, and the mobile development process.

High quality games bring together both the technical and creative aspects of games programming and you’ll have plenty of hands-on experience. Through the deconstruction of existing games and Artificial Intelligence principles, you’ll become better placed to understand the markets of the future and how best to impact them.

Our project based ‘creative studio’ approach provides a practically focussed approach to your education, through the engagement with authentic assessment activities that reflect industry practises. Many students use their final Major Project as a springboard into industry, creating award-winning projects, establishing their own business or making connections with industry professionals that have led to employment.

Put your creative and technical talents to work and be a ‘game-changer’ in the industry!

Modules

Course Modules

Two year accelerated degree

Year 1:
Trimester 1 - Game Programming Basics, Games Development Basics
Trimester 2 - Structured Game Development, Game Dynamics
Trimester 3 - Creative Studio 1

Year 2:
Trimester 4 - Creative Studio 2
Trimester 5 - Creative Studio 3
Trimester 6 - Major project

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • SAE Leeds
  • SAE Liverpool
  • SAE Glasgow
  • SAE Royal Leamington Spa
  • SAE London

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Accelerated • 2 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
S05

SAE Institute has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
S05

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*-D

To understand what combination of grades you need to achieve 72 UCAS tariff points please visit ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 72

Scottish Higher
A-C

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 45 Merit: 42 Pass: 3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

All subjects require A*-C in English (4-9)
Audio Production and Games Programming also require A*-C in Mathematics (4-9)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*D*D*-MMP

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Audition

English language requirements

English Language Requirements All students are required to show proficiency in English. We recommend getting in touch with our team for advice and to confirm what evidence is accepted. If English is not your first language, do not worry, all you need is evidence that you meet the appropriate level of English proficiency for your level of study. Requirements vary depending on the level of study you are applying for (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate) and whether you require a student visa. If you require a student visa, please refer to the acceptable test information below. Equivalent qualifications can be accepted, where these qualifications have been verified by ENIC and are adopted widely within the UK Higher Education sector. If your qualification does not meet these requirements, we’ll ask for one of the following: IELTS (UKVI or Academic) – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5 IELTS One Skill Retake – minimum score of 5.5 in skill retake IELTS Online – minimum 5.5 in all components and an overall band score of 5.5 Pearson Test of English – 59 or above overall with a minimum of 59 in each component PSI Skills for English B2 SELT – Pass Trinity College London SELT– Pass with Merit Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade C Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – 169 overall with no less than 160 in each component minimum grade B TOEFL (IBT or IBT Home Edition online) – 72 overall with no less than Listening – 17 Writing – 17 Speaking – 20 Reading – 18 LanguageCert Academic – 60 pass with minimum score of 60 in each skill LanguageCert International ESOL C1 Expert – pass in all four components LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) – Pass with a minimum 33 in all components LanguageCert ESOL Integrated Skills in English II – pass in all components Duolingo English Test – Overall score of 100 with no less than 95 in Speaking, Writing and Listening. Minimum 100 in Reading. SAE accepts various high school level English Qualification, please contact our Admissions team at ukenquiries@sae.edu to discuss this. English language tests are valid for a maximum of two years.

International entry requirements

International Entry Requirements at SAE

SAE aims to ensure that all students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their academic studies and to easily integrate into the institution’s friendly community.

International students must demonstrate that their qualifications are equivalent to the standard entry requirement of 72 UCAS tariff points, as well as competency in English. For degree courses in Audio Production and Games Programming, an equivalent qualification to GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above is also required. https://www.sae.edu/gbr/international-entry-requirements/

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland & EU£12060
International£17000

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

For all SAE UK campuses, applicants who are residents of the EU will be applicable for a bursary towards the cost of the tuition fees. The value of bursary is already represented in the tuition fees shown and is £3,500 per year for the 2-year accelerated degree.

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