Course Summary

This course is designed to provide you with the skills needed to build computer games and work in games and computer graphics. You will learn how computer game assets such as environments, character models and animations are created and how they are integrated into game code. You will learn how to develop games for a variety of platforms, including desktop, web browser, mobile and tablet.

You will develop skills to help you work in many areas of interactive media. You will graduate able to implement games code from scratch, understand and modify existing games code and apply and integrate different game technologies.

Why choose this course?

Career Opportunities:

Successful graduates may gain employment in a technical role within the games development industry or in a related field. However, the skills developed are transferable to many other areas of information technology (IT).

Key features:

• Learn how to program games in C++, use relevant libraries such as OpenGL and DirectX, and apply industryrelevant, object-oriented principles
• Supported by TIGA-accredited Train2Game game developer materials
• Explore emerging game platforms including mobile, web and social/ Facebook games

Areas of study include:

• Flash Actionscript programming
• App development for mobile and tablet devices
• Object-oriented programming with C++
• 2D and 3D computer games programming
• Character modelling and animation
• 2D and 3D computer graphics
• Social and professional project management
• Game development using Unity and C# scripting

BSCGD-S

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a mixture of methods including portfolios, timed practical tests, group and individual production projects, individual and group written reports and both written and computer based exams. There will be frequent opportunities to get feedback both from tutors, peers and via self assessment and some assessments will allow for draft submissions to be considered by a tutor or peers to identify aspects in need of development prior to final hand-in.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand the role of and be able to use, typical commercial development tools used in computer games production e.g. programming languages, software development kits (SDKs), Integrated development environments (IDEs), Application programming interfaces (APIs), graphic and audio creation tools and games engines.

2. Understand and extend existing computer game code following appropriate professional conventions and standards and design, produce and test original game code from scratch using appropriate methods.

3. Critically evaluate the tools and techniques currently used and describe future trends in computer games development.

4. Explain the constraints placed on graphic and sound assets used within a particular game platform or media and create assets within those constraints.

5. Work effectively within a software development team and be able to explain the conditions necessary for successful team working.

6. Communicate your ideas both in writing and orally according to appropriate academic or professional standards.

7. Evaluate when and why you need information, find, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.

8. Research and evaluate information from a number of sources.

9. Apply formal and informal creativity and critical thinking techniques in the solution of problems.

External Benchmarking

N/A

Educational Aims

To develop the ability of the student to:

• Understand and apply the body of knowledge fundamental to computer games development


• Solve problems by the application of appropriate tools and techniques


• Research, critically evaluate, summarize and communicate information


• Work effectively in teams or individually using appropriate professional standards of conduct and behaviour


• Become a self-regulated learner, using an awareness of opportunities for careers or further study in the setting and monitoring of personal objectives

Student support

Each student will be allocated a personal tutor. The student will meet with that tutor on a weekly basis during the level one Fundamentals of Studying Computing unit and then more informally throughout the rest of the course. The personal tutor can help to advise and support the student during their studies. Students will be encouraged to self assess and identify their own development needs. In addition, tutors will be able to signpost them to the following additional sources of support:

Undergraduate academic advice tutors - students can book a meeting with one of these via the Faculty Office in order to resolve queries about their course of study or personal situation regarding academic credits.

The Personal and Academic Development Unit (PAD) - this unit offers assistance with areas like numeracy, report writing and time management etc. They offer face-to-face support, drop in sessions and online materials.

Student Services offer additional financial and pastoral support. The University Counseling Service is available to support students in times of personal stress. The Student Financial unit offers financial assistance.

Team working

Team working is central to the development of modern computer games, just as it is to most other modern career paths. Team working is practiced during many units on this course. You will analyse your own preferred team role and consider the conditions necessary for successful teamworking. After each team exercise you will be asked to reflect on the teams performance and to identify strategies for future improvement.

Career Management Skills

Staff from the Centre for Personal and Career Development will be involved with the delivery of this aspect of the curriculum in all three levels. You will be encouraged to follow the SOAR model at a number of points during the curriculum. This approach requires that you become aware of:

• Your own interests, motivations and strengths


• The kinds of opportunities for employment and self development that are available


• Your personal objectives


• How to articulate, evidence and present your achievements and skills

During the level one Fundamentals of Studying Computing unit, you will be encouraged to explore the potential career opportunities available within your field of study and to establish the skills requirements typically expected by employers.

During level two you will be expected to identify specific roles and vacancies of interest and to complete a mock application, which may include a CV, covering letter and mock interview. This activity requires you to establish the fit between your skills and experience and those needed to meet the needs of the employer. You will then be encouraged to develop an action plan to help you achieve your objectives. This could, for example, include the need to get relevant work experience or may identify the type of project topic that would be most useful in achieving your career objectives.

There will be other opportunities to practice the skill of interpreting what an employer is looking for and then presenting evidence to support your own application.

Career/Further study opportunities

Successful graduates may gain employment in a technical role within the games development industry or in a related field. However, the skills developed are transferable to many other areas of information technology (IT).

Graduates of the program may look to employment within the interactive media industries including computer games development or to other careers within the computing industry where software development skills and experience of group working are sought after.

These include

• Computer Games Gameplay Programmer
• Computer Games Tools programmer
• Multimedia programmer
• General software developer
• 3d modeller
• Software Quality Assurance

Further study:

Graduates can look to further study at MSc or PhD level, both of which are offered within the department.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

The course will use a mixture of different approaches to teaching including lectures, seminars, practicals and case studies. There will be a strong practical focus so the teaching will often take place in computer laboratories. Students will be expected to use materials provided on the Virtual Learning Environment and to do significant amounts of work either at home or during open access periods within the computer laboratories.

There will be a mixture of assessment types requiring both individual and group effort.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

The University Disability Support Team offers personalized support for students with disabilities. There is also a departmental disability co-ordinator to ensure that student needs are identified and support is forthcoming. This course has no specific accessibility issues, although there is a strong visual theme to the content.

Skills Development

Communication:

To help with the development of this you will be given a number of developmental opportunities in report writing and oral presentation. You will get feedback from peers and tutors that will allow you to improve your skills. The final project is the culmination of this process, as you will provide a substantial written report as well as giving an oral presentation and answering questions on your work. You will communicate the context within which you have done your project, the work that you have done and the conclusions that you have come to.

Information Literacy:

To help with the development of this you will be shown when and why you need information (for example to validate or support a claim), where to find it and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.

Research and Evaluation:

To help with the development of this you will be asked to research and critically review a number of technical areas. You will be introduced to research methods and will plan, execute and evaluate a major project within your final year.

Creativity and Critical Thinking:

To help with the development of this you will be shown how to use a number of formal tools and techniques (such as brainstorming, SCAMPER, de Bonos six thinking hats and thinking tools) and will be given opportunities to apply them to commercially relevant problem situations.

Improving learning and performance

You will be expected to reflect on your performance and plan ways of achieving your goals at a number of points within the course. Your personal tutor will encourage you to use information such as assignment feedback, peer feedback, diagnostic tests and self assessments to identify ways in which you can achieve your personal objectives in future assignments and beyond. You will be expected to identify and pursue developmental opportunities such as those offered by the Personal and Academic Development Unit (PAD) or the Centre for Personal and Career Development.

Progress files

During your time at University you will be required to maintain a collection of examples of work such as software artefacts and reports and the feedback you get from these assignments. The online content collection will be used to support this. This record of work will help you to chart your development and potentially help to provide evidence of your achievements and skills for when you are seeking to enter employment or further study.

You will also be expected to maintain one or more ePortfolios as a record of your development. These will include a mixture of reflective writing on topics such as your goals, self evaluation, observations on your studies and strategies for success, and will include documents such as a CV.

Professional standards

Students will be expected to behave in a professional way during their studies:

• To attend regularly and punctually


• To understand the standards expected by employers, in presenting yourself both physically (body language, dress code, appropriate formal language etc) and in writing (quality of presentation, appropriately formal language, attention to detail etc)


• To take responsibility for your performance in team exercises


• To behave in a sensible way within the computer labs, complying with the acceptable use policies on mobile phone use and eating and drinking for example


• To avoid plagiarism all assignment submissions must be your own work


• To be aware of relevant ethical standards and to behave in an ethical way

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Professional behaviours will be developed via a variety of means including developmental activities but also enforcement and interventions.

Monitoring attendance enforces good study habits. Attendance data is collected by the faculty and is used to identify students who have failed to attend two consecutive sessions on any one unit. An intervention by email or SMS text message is used to let the student know that they have been missed and to request an explanation.

The language of competences, which are meaningful to employers and are requirements for candidates for employment, are explained to students and used as assessment criteria on a number of assessments. Students are given several opportunities to self assess and to develop strategies to develop these skills.

Professional standards of behaviour are developed via a series of contacts with the Academic to Business Computing Unit (ABC) in which students participate in a series of commercially relevant group decision making exercises and projects. Students are given feedback on their professionalism as well as on a number of competences of interest to employers. This process is supported by the Personal Development Planning process, supported by a personal tutor, in which students are expected to assess their own performance against relevant commercial or academic criteria and to plan how to improve.

Students underperforming in team assessments are penalized using a peer assessment mechanism. Each team member allocates scores to each other member. Students receiving low peer assessments have their marks reduced accordingly.

Behaviour in the laboratories and conformance to the acceptable use policy is monitored and enforced by the laboratory stewards.

Plagiarism is explored during the Fundamentals of Computer Studies unit. Students will be shown how to avoid it and how to reference fully and paraphrase. To ensure that student work, particularly written reports, does not contain plagiarised material, the online Turnitin plagiarism detection tool is used in many assessments, and is demonstrated to students to help them understand the issue.

Relevant ethical and legal issues are explored in a number of units and students are required to consider the ethical aspects of their own project proposal in the final year.