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Computer Games Design and Programming (With a foundation year)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time including foundation year
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
University of Staffordshire (Stoke Campus)
More about University of Staffordshire

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

As a Computer Games Design and Programming student, you'll learn how to take your game ideas from concept, through production to final release using industry-standard design and development techniques. You will also learn how to develop or modify the technologies used in game engines.

Run in affiliation with games industry body TIGA, this course will give you the skills you need for a career in games development focused around using multiple games technologies.

This course has been designed around the needs of the games industry with the focus on developing skills in design, programming and production.

These three core areas cover many of the job roles advertised by a highly competitive worldwide games industry and allow a graduate to cast a wide net when it comes to applying for a games studio role.

This broad skill set also makes graduates from this course ideally suited to joining Indie teams where the need to be flexible in a role is particularly valuable or to independently create their own games.

You will be taught by a range of academics with experience in academia, research, and industry games development. Module classes also include specialist, guest lecturers from our wide range of industry partners.

Throughout your time at Staffordshire University, you will have many opportunities to interact with the games industry in events such as: guest lectures, portfolio reviews, game jams, networking socials, mock interviews and many more.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design and Programming..

Modules

Foundation Year Core: Programming Foundations; Games Design Foundations; Games Engine Foundations; Introduction to Games Scholarship; Introduction to Collaborative Enterprise
Year One Core: C# Scripting for Games Engines; Computational Methods; Game Prototyping; Introduction to Graphics Programming; Mechanics Prototyping; Programming Fundamentals
Year Two Core: Advanced Mechanics Design; C++ for Engines; Game Artificial Intelligence; Junior Collaborative Games Development; Introduction to Mechanics Design
Year Two Optional: Experimental Gameplay; Game Audio; Tools Development; User Interface Design and Implementation
Year Three Core: Games Development Project; Senior Collaborative Games Development; Low-Level Gameplay; Multiplayer Level Design
Year Three Optional: Multiplayer Mechanics Programming; Prototyping for Technical Designers

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • University of Staffordshire (Stoke Campus)

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time including foundation year • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

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:
I648
Institution code:
S72
Campus name:
University of Staffordshire (Stoke Campus)
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Staffordshire 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

Apply by
14 January

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:
I648
Institution code:
S72
Campus name:
University of Staffordshire (Stoke Campus)
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

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Discover what it's like to study Computer Games Design and Programming (With a foundation year) at University of Staffordshire: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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    I'm currently going into my final year of Film Production with the long term goal of creating my own production company with friends and I've brought my 2 cats along to uni

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  • Lyra

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    I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a long time, I loved maths and computer science so followed that through into games, I'm hoping to be a part of a big studio making games before setting up my own indie studio

  • Jessica

    University of Staffordshire
    Journalism and Content Creation
    Hey there! I'm Jess, and I'm super excited to be a student ambassador! I'm currently diving into Creative Media Productions, and I'm dreaming of one day working at The Guardian. I absolutely love whipping up delicious meals, creating fun pixel art, and getting lost in video games.

  • Kurtis

    University of Staffordshire
    Esports
    “A flamboyant Northerner who’s a proper nerd with ambition” I'm Kurtis (He/They) and studying BA (Hons) Esports, heading into my final year. I studied a BTEC in Esports before coming to university. I lived in a shared student house near to campus during my first year. I advocate for equality, LGBTQ+ rights and community and inclusivity.

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    Hello, my name is Binita! I am a Cyber Security student at the University of Staffordshire (based at the London campus). I enjoy learning about ethical hacking and cyber security practices, in addition to getting involved in practical lab activities. If you have any questions regarding the university or your course (no matter how big or small), please reach out and I will do what I can to help you.

  • Fen

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    Hello my name is Fen! I am a current 3rd year student studying Cyber Security. I've been at university for 5 years now and have had many wonderful experiences. I love to travel and visit different countries around the world. I also enjoy doing amateur landscape photography. Feel free to reach out and ask me anything!

  • Rory

    University of Staffordshire
    Psychology and Counselling
    Hey, I'm Rory, currently studying Psychology and counselling at the University of Staffordshire. As I am going into my final year I hope to progress onto the post graduate masters degree in psychotherapeutic counselling and once complete, hope to become an academic in my subject area and open a private practice. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

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    Hi, my names Louise, I am currently studying paramedic science at the University of Staffordshire. After graduating, I would like to register with the HCPC and become a paramedic. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask :)

  • Angelina Joy

    University of Staffordshire
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    I'm an aeronautical engineering student who is passionate about aviation. My passion for aviation started at a young age and it continues to grow through my journey at University of Staffordshire. Moving to the UK has been a wonderful experience ans I know how exciting and yet overwhelming the university journey can be so i'm very ready to help wherever you get stuck :). I love connecting with new people and making new friends. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about anything or just finding your way as a university student 😊

  • Jerusha

    University of Staffordshire
    Art and Design
    I'm a current architecture student with plans to start my own architecture and design firm. I completed a gap year prior to my studies and can help with art and design related queries.

  • Stacey

    University of Staffordshire
    Nursing
    I applied to University through clearing as I wasn’t sure what I wanted for my future but I knew I wanted to do some sort of patient care. My main interests in nursing is trauma care, neurological diseases and conditions. I have Tourette’s Syndrome so I want to embrace neurodiversity within the healthcare sector! I enjoy reading and crochet these are my main hobbies and I can create almost anything!
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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 48 points

A level - AE

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

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 48 UCAS points

AS - AE

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

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

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

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D* - P

Extended Project - A* - E

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H5, H6, H6, H6, H6

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - PPP

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D* - PP

OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma - D*D*, PP

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - D*D*, PP

OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma - D* - P

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D* - P

OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate - D* - P

Historical entry grades data BETA

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.

Not enough data available

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.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

72 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

87 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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9250Year 1
Northern Ireland£9250Year 1
Scotland£9250Year 1
Wales£9250Year 1
Channel Islands£9250Year 1
EU£16750Year 1
International£16750Year 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.

Additional fee information

For further details of what is and is not included in your tuition fees please visit www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees/

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