Skip navigation

Games Development and Production

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 to 4 years
  • Full-Time
  • 13 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Edinburgh Campus
More about Heriot-Watt University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

"Overview of Programme
A unique games design undergraduate programme taught at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. With industry-leading facilities and hands-on learning, our Games Development and Production BSc offers you the opportunity to explore, experiment with, and create interactive experiences.
Led by an award-winning indie developer, you'll acquire sought-after skills in game design, 3D graphics, UI/UX, and more. Our expert teaching team will guide you through gaining real-world experience in designing, building, and releasing your own games.

Design Your Own Future
BSc Games Development and Production offers a unique opportunity to design and develop your own games and interactive experiences in a studio environment. You will create to modern industry standards, while gaining hands-on experience with product lifecycles, technical and professional skills, and practical entrepreneurship knowledge. In the end, you will leave with an expansive portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills, passions, and employability. It is the perfect stepping stone to enable you to smoothly transition to design and programming roles in the games industry.

Our Games Studio
This programme has exclusive use of our purpose-built Games Studio inside our £19m innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building. This studio comes equipped with the latest development hardware, allowing the development of modern console or VR experiences. As there are only a handful of universities worldwide capable of offering such design-led programmes, this studio provides a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.

Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Edinburgh Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 to 4 Years

Start dates

  • 13 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
G4GD
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G4GD
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBC

including **Mathematics at B for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: BBB including Mathematics and Computer Science

T Level

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish HNC
Pass

HNC with B in graded unit (including sufficient Mathematics at SCQF Level 6) for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: HNC in relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics and Computing at SCQF Level 6) with A in graded unit and 120 SCQF credit points.

Scottish HND
Pass

For entry to Year 1: HND in relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics at SCQF Level 6) with BB in graded units.
For entry to Year 2: HND in relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics and Computing at SCQF Level 6 and Computing) with AB in graded units.

Scottish Higher
ABBB

including **Mathematics.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)

Scottish Advanced Higher
BBB

including Mathematics and Computing plus ABBB at Highers for entry to Year 2.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 28

with **Mathematics at Higher Level 5 for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: A total of 30 points with Mathematics and Computing at Higher Level 6.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

in a relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics) for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: DDM in a relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics and Computing).

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
P

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

Unfortunately, there are no HNDs which sufficiently cover the content we teach in Years 1-2 to allow Year 3 entry.

**Not studying mathematics or worried about meeting the mathematics requirement? Consider applying for BSc Computer Systems. In Year 1 of this degree it is possible to take optional mathematics courses. Then, subject to good performance, a programme transfer to BSc Computer Science for Year 2 onwards can be requested.

We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.

We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level BCC

including **Mathematics at B for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: BBB including Mathematics and Computer Science

Scottish Higher BBBC

including **Mathematics.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not previously been educated in English must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English language tests, school-level qualifications and Heriot-Watt English language programmes currently accepted as proof of English proficiency can be found on our website.https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.

Learn more on the Heriot-Watt University website

International entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from the UK, Europe, and countries worldwide. If your qualification is not listed on https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information about entry requirements.

Some qualifications may be suitable for direct entry to Year 2, allowing you to complete your degree in three years. If your qualifications are not suitable for direct entry to one of our undergraduate programmes, we may be able to offer you a place on one of our Foundation programmes.

As an international student, you are likely to require a Student Visa to study in the UK. Please see the FAQ section on our website at https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/international-students for further information about the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) process required for a Student Visa application. https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/international-students/study-in-the-uk/information-for-your-country

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.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£9790
Scotland£1820
EU & International£25808

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

Subject to confirmation

Related courses

At Heriot-Watt University

Like this page