University of the West of Scotland
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Computer Games Development
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Sandwich
- 08/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Paisley Campus
Course summary
OVERVIEW
Build an exciting career as a games developer with BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development.From game programming to game engine scripting for multiple platforms, you’ll be supported by dedicated games studios and animation artists to learn the skills sought after by industry.This is a practical, career-focused programme that encourages you to publish games and demonstrate your abilities. Plus, you’ll get to showcase your work to potential employers at our end-of-year Digital Futures event.
Graduates of this course work in various industries including games, animation and social networking.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
• With a strong focus on industry, this programme will help you build a portfolio to showcase to employers at our end-of-year Digital Futures event.
• The programme has strong links with industry, including major studios like Blazing Griffin and Rivet Games.
• Guest talks from industry professionals will provide you with an insight to working in games, animation, and web and mobile environments.
• Regular game jams are organised throughout the programme to provide portfolio-building opportunities.
• Computer Games Development is a TIGA (The Independent Game Developers’ Association) accredited course supporting students towards different pathways in the games industry. Students are supported in using the relevant industry game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine allowing them to focus on various aspects of games design and development.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
As a Computer Games Development BSc (Hons) student, you’ll have access to a wide range of facilities to enhance your learning, including: animation, music and specialist game development studios with dual monitor high spec PCs and game development software.
CAREERS
As well as establishing their own games studios, graduates from UWS’s BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development programme have gone on to gain employment in industry-leading companies, including:
• Rockstar North
• Blazing Griffin
• PlayStation
• Rivet Games
• Ant Workshop Ltd
• Add Jam
• Equator
• Build A Rocket Boy Studi
Modules
Year 1
You will study the games industry and games development alongside modelling and animation for games. Core skills in programming for games complement use of game engines to develop games.
Year 2
You will deepen your understanding of game programming and development using game engines such as Unity 3D and Unreal as well as producing games for the web.
You will also learn about game design and creating and using game assets. By the end of this year you should be producing games for your portfolio.
Year 3
The emphasis is on more advanced techniques in game programming and developing your skills for the games industry. You will undertake a year-long team design and development project, creating a working 3D game for release. You will also explore development of mobile games.
Sandwich placement
You may undertake a placement on a full-time basis over a minimum 36 weeks duration, leading to a sandwich award. This can be taken between years 2 and 3 or years 3 and 4.
Year 4
You will undertake an individual project, creating a major portfolio piece to showcase your skills. You will extend your knowledge of level design, the use of games in learning and of advanced web games.
Assessment method
The BSc Computer Games Development is predominately project-based with an emphasis on team work, problem-solving, project management, version control, collation and dissemination of project tasks. Though some assignments are individual, project work is designed to prepare you for the world of work, particularly in a games studio environment. The Year 4 Honours project is an individual piece of work that is practical in focus allowing you to specialise in a particular games related area that interests you.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Independent Game Developers' Association
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
Apply by
29 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:
- G610
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus Code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
For Year 2 Entry:
Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD (112 UCAS Tarrif points) including Computing or evidence of programming
Full T Level with Grade M (120 Tariff points) in relevant subject, or with evidence of programming
A Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tarrif points) including Computing or evidence of programming
International Baccalaureate: 28 points
SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Computer Games Development
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
For Year 3 Entry:
SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Computing; Computing: Software Development; Computer Games Development; Digital Design & Development
French DUT in relevant subject (subject to review by programme leader)
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS;
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 90 points
A level - CCD
For year 2 entry, BBC including Computing or evidence of programming
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
Scottish Higher - BCCC
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCD
For entry to Year 2, including Computing or evidence of programming
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
28 points for Year 2 entry including Computing or evidence of programming
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC Computer Games Development (for year 2 entry)
Scottish HND - Pass
Entry to Year 3 with a HND in one of the following titles: Computing; Computing: Software Development; Computer Games Development; Digital Design & Development.
T Level - Pass (C and above)
For Year 2 entry, Grade M required in relevant subject
Year 1 entry with SWAP (BBB) Access to STEM.
Year 3 entry with French DUT
Year 1-3 entry with NextGen HNC/D, in relevant subject, with 'Acheived'
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 63 points
-
A level - CCD
-
Scottish Higher - CCC
Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points) PLUS successful completion of one of the following:
UWS Foundation Academy
Foundation Apprenticeship
UWS Next Steps to University module
Top-Up
LEAPS
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
-
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS.
All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:
// Native speakers of English
// Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
// non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/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.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. For more information, please visit our website using the link below.
Learn more on the University of the West of Scotland website
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
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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £18000* | Year 1 |
| International | £18000* | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
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