On our practical BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development degree, you will have the opportunity to gain technical skills and theoretical knowledge to help you become a confident and competent Games Developer.
From programming, software design and asset development to character animation, this course will cover the industry latest to help you stay up-to-date, ensuring you’re ready for the working world upon graduation.
In the Foundation Year of this four-year course, you’ll build essential academic study skills. This year will help you gain confidence in your abilities. You’ll also identify your strengths and areas for development. Together, these will prepare you for progression to the undergraduate degree.
Why study Computer Games Development at BNU?
Industry standard facilities
Our Game Development programme at BNU offers direct access to professional tools and software used in the industry today. Access to high-performance computers and collaborative workspaces supports your learning and creativity, allowing you to turn your ideas into reality.
We are a member of the PlayStation® Vita Academic Development Programme run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional console development hardware and software tools.
Hands-on experience
The course emphasizes practical learning, allowing you to engage in real-world projects and develop games from concept to completion. This experiential learning approach equips you with the skills and confidence to tackle industry challenges head-on. By working on team projects and live briefs, you’ll not only refine your technical skills but also learn to collaborate effectively, mirroring professional game development environments.
Learn from industry experts
You'll learn from lecturers who bring a wealth of industry experience and academic expertise. Their insights into current trends and practices provide you with a relevant and up-to-date education, bridging the gap between academia and the professional world. They’ll also share their personal experiences and connections, helping you gain a clearer understanding of how to navigate the gaming industry successfully.
We are an NVIDIA CUDA Teaching Centre. We are also a member of TIGA, the trade association representing the UK's games industry.
Industry connections
We have close ties with a network of industry professionals, providing opportunities for networking, internships, and real-world projects. Guest speakers, live projects, and placement opportunities help you learn directly from industry leaders and gain a competitive edge. These connections, combined with visiting a number of events every year often lead to job offers or further collaborations, giving you a solid foundation for your future career.
What will I study?
During the first year you will develop your programming skills (C#) and apply them to the development of 2D mobile and console games and 3D levels within a commercial game engine. Other modules provide a taste of other disciplines in the games industry, including an introduction to games design and 3D modelling. Further modules provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the hardware on which games are deployed.
In second year you will continue to develop your programming skills (C++) and apply them to the development of realistic AI and graphical applications using a graphics library.
During your third year, you will develop a physics engine and integrate it into a games engine. You will also extend your understanding of the more complex AI techniques used within games and gain an insight into how games companies operate. A major component of the final year is the project, which provides an opportunity to develop a game or related software application.
Foundation Year
Core
Introduction to Programming
Computing Essentials
Core Mathematics
Design Principles
Professional Skills Review
Final Project
Year one
Core
Programming Concepts
Computer Architectures
Level Design
Maths for Games
Game Design
Year two
Core
Graphical Programming
Object Oriented Analysis and Design
Object Oriented Programming
Project
Optional
Agile Project Management
3D Asset Design
Virtual Environments
Virtual Production Project
Year three
Core
Advanced Programming
AI for Games
Project
Advanced Team Project
Optional
Game Engine Development
Design Patterns
Critical Systems
Software Testing and QA
Physics Engine Programmer
We have a strong computing department at the University, with a dedicated team of academics and professionals delivering industry-relevant courses in a suite of well-equipped computer labs.
You’ll benefit from small class sizes that give you a chance to develop close working relationships with the tutors and other students. You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and workshops with one-to-one and small group teaching, as well as written assignments and practical exercises. You will also learn from guest speakers and benefit from valuable networking opportunities. Course assignments reflect real-life problems because we believe that’s the best way to learn – and it’s more fun!
We also encourage you to gain work experience whilst studying and actively look for clients for your project work, which provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in a work-base setting.
Where possible, assessments are tied to real-world contexts and constraints, allowing you to practically demonstrate the skills you have developed. You may also be assessed through projects, in-class assignments, workshops, presentations and formal written exams.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Buckinghamshire New University 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?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
BNU English Language Requirements https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements
We aim to cultivate an environment where individuality, diversity, and academic excellence thrive.
Our decision-making process is not just about grades; we assess the entire application, including personal statements, relevant experience and where appropriate portfolios. Within our Contextual Offer Scheme, we strive to embrace students whose educational and social backgrounds may have influenced their academic journey.
This underpins how we champion an inclusive community that transforms lives.
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15910 | Year 1 |
| International | £15910 | Year 1 |
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.
Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to:
Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies.
For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ
Visit our website Visit our course page
Email:advice@bucks.ac.uk
Phone:0330 123 2023
Email:admissions@bucks.ac.uk
Phone:01494 605060