BSc (Hons)
Computer Games
Options in Art and Animation, Design, Software Development
or Indie Development
BSc (Hons)
Computer Games
Options in Art and Animation, Design, Software Development
or Indie Development
GCU’s Computer Games programmes aim to produce
graduates with the right mix of practical skills and technical
knowledge to enter the computer games industry, which
currently has a high demand for qualified practitioners.
We have excellent studio facilities including HD Video Production Suite, Art Studio, Digital Audio Recording Studio, Game Design Studio featuring 3D Laser Scanning tools, Motion Capture tools and a Rapid Prototyping machine.
There is a User Experience lab where games can be tested and evaluated and a Virtual Reality lab containing a full-featured Driving Simulator and other VR equipment such as Oculus Rifts. In Years 1, 2 and 3 students in all Computer Games programmes take part in an Integrated Project, an opportunity for students from the different disciplines to make games together, and you’ll also enjoy guest lectures by industry experts.
Art and Animation will appeal to students who wish to combine their traditional art skills with the latest creative technology in 3D art, animation and motion graphics. The programme is designed for those who want a career as a games artist. It can also lead to opportunities in pre-visualisation for TV and film or in video SFX.
Games Design covers Player Centred Design Principles where the player is the focus of the Game Design Process. This approach covers practices taken from Human Computer Interaction(HCI) where you’ll learn various tools and techniques such as conceptulisation and evaluation. You’ll also study Game Narrative, Serious Games Design, and Player Psychology and computer arts – specialist media design and creation,and game asset integration. Games Software Development concentrates on technical programming requirements, including the mathematics and implementation of physical mechanics.
Your studies will include the creation of 2D and 3D graphics, the use of 3D animation in games, the creation of ‘thinking’ creatures, new product development and professional issues involved in the development of software and the core elements of Game Design. The Design and Software Development programmes are accredited by the Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).
For more information visit
www.gcu.ac.uk/undergraduate
Computer Games students have the option to
complete a one-year, paid work placement. after
completion of Year 3 of their degree.
The Computer Games programmes have excellent
studio facilities including HD Video Production
Suite, Art Studio, Digital Audio Recording
Studio, Game Design Studio featuring 3D Laser
Scanning tools, Motion Capture tools and a Rapid
Prototyping machine.
The Indie Development programme aims to produce graduates with the right mix of practical games design and art skills, business skills and technical knowledge to enter this sector, which currently has a high demand for multi-skilled practitioners.
Students will choose a two year pathway with a mix of modules which suit their current skillset and at the same is time targeted to their graduate profile skillset. Students may also be interested in the BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology with Interactive Entertainment.
Graduate opportunities
Our graduating students will progress on to exciting and challenging careers in the areas of Games Software Development and Design. Our students will be equipped to be employed in organisations where a knowledge of both technical and user/player research skills are very important.
Some of our graduates have moved onto to careers with Electronic Arts, Guerrilla Games, Rockstar, Deep Silver, Wee World and Tag.
Placement
After successfully completing their Level Three studies, our students have the option to participate in an industrial placement for one year which is recognised on the degree certificate on graduation.
International Exchange
International exchange opportunities are also available, allowing students to spend a semester abroad through the Erasmus Programme or an overseas summer placement through the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) through the British Council.
Game Jam
Game Jam is an international game design challenge which takes place within GCU every year.
It pitches aspiring programmers and designers against the world’s rising stars in the industry in a race to develop the best new title with over a 100 of our students and enthusiasts working round the clock to create and programme new video games from scratch in just one weekend.
For more information visit
www.gcu.ac.uk/undergraduate
Typical entry requirements
UCAS code: Art and Animation - GW4G Design - GWK2
Software Development - W280 Indie Development - T4R2 Mode of study: Full-time, four years
BSc Computer Games (Software Development) and BSc Computer Games (Design)
Year 1:
SQA Higher: ABBB including Maths at B plus Nat 5 English
A level: BBC including Maths plus GCSE English ILC Higher: ABBB including Maths and Ordinary
Level English
IB Diploma: 24 points including Maths Year 2:
HNC Computer Games Development including Mathematics with A in Graded Unit
Year 3:
HND Computer Games Development with A in Graded Units
BSc Computer Games (Art and Animation) Year 1:
SQA Higher: BBB including Art & Design A level: CCD including Art & Design ILC Higher: BBB including Art
IB Diploma: 24 points including Visual Arts Year 2:
15 credit HNC 3D Computer Animation with B in the Graded Unit
Year 3:
HND 3D Computer Animation with B in the Graded Units
All candidates are required to submit a portfolio Programme structure overview
Computer Games (Art and Animation)
Year 1: Drawing for Design, Introduction to Games Design, Digital Photography, Introduction to Animation, Fundamentals of 3D Modelling, Integrated Project (each year of all programmes) Year 2: Introduction to Games Programming,
Games Design,3D Modelling & Digital
Sculpting, Introduction to 3D Animation, Human Computer Interaction
Year 3: User Psychology, Advanced Character Animation, Games Pre-production Workshop, 3D Production for Industry, Research Methods and Professional Issues
Year 4: Advanced 3D Visualisation and Animation, Creative Practice, Portfolio, Industrial Project, Honours Project
Computer Games (Design)
Year 1: Mathematics for Computer Games, Introduction to Games Design, Introduction to Games Programming, Fundamentals of Computing, Fundamentals of 3D Graphics Year 2: Game Programming 1, Game Design 1,
3D Modeling and Digital Sculpting or Drawing for Design, Game Content Design, Human Computer Interaction,
Year 3: User Psychology, Serious Games Design, Game Preproduction workshop, Usability Year 4: Affective Design, Game Narrative, Design
for Change, Honours Project, Game System Design
Computer Games (Software Development) Year 1: As Year 1 Computer Games (Design) Year 2: Games Programming 1, Game Design 1, 3D
Maths for Simulation & Visualisation, Working with Computer Games, Human Computer Interaction
Year 3: Games Programming 2, Game Artificial Intelligence, Game Engine Creation, Graphics Programming, Research Skills and Professional Issues, Integrated Project 3
Year 4: Mobile Game Development 1, Game Programming 3, Artificial Intelligence, Mobile Game Development 2, Honours Project Computer Games (Indie Development)
Please note that this programme is for direct entry students and students should refer to modules used in other programmes within the suite for undergraduate module choice.
For more information visit
www.gcu.ac.uk/undergraduate
The Games students have an opportunity
to compete in the Global Game Jam, an
international game design challenge which
takes place within GCU every year.
School of Engineering and Built Environment
Glasgow Caledonian University,Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, Scotland, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)141 331 3000 www.gcu.ac.uk/ebe
How to apply
You can apply to an undergraduate programme at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) via UCAS for more information visit www.gcu.ac.uk/undergraduate/howtoapply; alternatively, contact our undergraduate team on +44 (0)141 331 8630 or email [email protected]
Scholarships
Scholarships may be available for this programme.
Visit www.gcu.ac.uk/study/scholarships for details.
