Degree type: MProf
UCAS Code: Apply directly to the University
Duration: 12 months full-time
Why choose this course?
The goal of this course is to develop graduates into professional developers, through placing them into actual game development teams, with industry relevant project goals and deliverables. The teams enjoy a high level of independence in how they meet the game design briefs and approach the development process.
Supervision, mentorship and academic support look to emphasise the consequences of their decisions and processes, allowing the students to experience an organic and logical development and evolution of best practices. In addition, students develop their awareness in areas of potential innovation and research, and are encouraged to publish their work.
The remaining core elements of the course seek to separate the myths from the realities of working in the games industry, and expand students’ awareness of design considerations with regards to the comparative importance and impact of narrative and gameplay theories. Uniquely, students select optional modules from across the entire university, allowing further development of their core skills if required, but more specifically allowing for a more individual and tailored learning experience through the additional study of areas of personal interest such as business, marketing, psychology and perception.
Open, flexible working spaces
We have developed a unique concept of learning environment and creative incubator, encompassing ways of teaching that focus on building general skills alongside the subject-specific knowledge to support your career and life objectives. It is designed to give you the edge in the global knowledge economy when you graduate.
This White Space environment is a thriving hub of activity, mixing the talents of undergraduates, postgraduates, lecturers, business people, artists and broadcasters, surrounding our students with the buzz of a real working environment, allowing them to share real-world knowledge and experience.
How you learn
How you are assessed
Assessment methods throughout the core modules focus on formative (constant) assessment through regular meetings and discussion sessions, rather than exams. This is to allow students to improve in confidence, communication skills and core discipline skills as they progress, allowing them to try new working practices and approaches as and when they may be required. A high emphasis is placed on effective participation as a team player, and in correctly identifying and prioritising a project’s key requirements and challenges.
Applicants must have a minimum of upper Second class Honours degree that demonstrates expertise in one the following areas: Computer Games Technology, Computer Science, Computer Games Design, Games Production, Computer Animation, 3D Modelling, Audio Production.
Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here
What our students say
"One of the most valuable experiences we have had is simply sitting and watching professional developers talk with us about our ideas. In a very informal and friendly environment, they come out with thoughts, ideas and anecdotes which no books or tutorials could ever give us."
Sandor, Hungary
"The MProf really helped me develop an understanding of working with other disciplines outside of my own, and to gain fantastic relative experience that would allow me to communicate more confidently at interviews."
Chris, UK
"If the aim of the MProf is to get us ready for working in industry, then you have most certainly succeeded."
Duncan, UK
Your future
The career that the course prepares its graduates for is that of a game developer, with the exact role being determined by their area of study – such as Programmer, Artist or Producer.
Former graduates of the MProf course have had a truly outstanding level of success both in gaining employment within the industry, and in pursuing their own game development plans.
In the first six weeks after graduation, students from the graduating cohort of 2010 were recruited as developers at Sony London, Traveller’s Tales, Codemasters and Blitz, with several others joining new start up companies and investigating commercial opportunities at Cohort Studios and Ubisoft.
However, graduates are not restricted to joining an established company for employment, but may very well be able to create projects on their own for the rapidly developing Indie market.
The team-focused multidisciplinary approach ensures that graduates will have successfully proven a very high degree of collaborative ability, a particularly valuable graduate attribute in the challenges that future projects and employment will most certainly present.
Professional accreditation
The MProf Games Development is accredited by Skillset, the national sector skills council for creative media, as part of the Skillset Media Academy Network.
More information
MProf Games Development
