Game Development BSc (Hons)

Dive into the world of gameplay programming with engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine 4. Develop games for PC, mobile and PlayStation 4 from day one. Work in a simulated game studio environment by collaborating with talented games artists and acquire the skills to join the next generation of game developers.

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Learning, teaching and assessment in 2021/22

Overview

This course equips you with the necessary technical skills to develop games both independently and within a multidisciplinary environment, backed by industry standard practices. You will have the opportunity to develop games for platforms such as PC, mobile and console. With a focus on programming, you will become adept in games programming using industry relevant languages (e.g. C#, C++) and mathematical concepts through popular game engines such as Unity, and the Unreal Engine. You'll work with other students to develop games as part of a games studio environment, simulated in our specialised games lab.

Why us?

The University is a member of the PlayStation®4 Academic Development Programme, which grants us the licence to Sony games console devkit hardware and software
Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT for the purposes of fully meeting the further learning academic requirement for registration as a Chartered IT Professional
Accredited by BCS on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for a Chartered Engineer

We have an integrative and holistic approach to the first year of our computing courses. You’ll be taught the fundamentals of computing alongside students from other courses in the School of Computer Science. This course structure allows you to easily change courses at the end of the first year, should a different computer science route appeal to you. For example, you may begin studying BSc (Hons) Game Development, but then show a greater aptitude for cybersecurity and decide to change to BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
Sunderland was named Smart City of the Year 2020 (Digital Leaders UK). Boasting the second-fastest growth in digital turnover outside of London, Sunderland is the ideal city to study computing and set up a business

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory sessions. You will be encouraged to develop independent study skills as well as work with other students on group projects.

As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning. Assessment methods include coursework and Professional Practice Weeks (PPWs). PPWs present you with real-world problems that must be solved in a working week. They aim to provide you with an experience reflective of the industry you want to enter, and give you meaningful feedback that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills. Each year has a different theme- previous themes include the City of Culture Bid in 2017 and e-sports in 2018.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Software Engineering (20 credits)

Gain an overview of basic design principles of systems and software, including modelling principles and the use of tools, and design patterns. Investigates different software processes, data integration, project management and be introduced to software testing methods. Discover key concepts that will allow you to begin to break down programmatical application areas and begin to devise, document, test, develop and improve working solutions for a given problem.

Computer Systems Architecture (20 credits)

Learn the basic principles of computer architectures. Gain an understanding of the underlying mathematics, operations and components used by computer architectures. Be introduced to the concept of operating systems and the types of hardware that can be attached to a computer to facilitate input and output. Explore in detail the considerations and tasks required to install, manage, and maintain computers both in stand-alone and virtual environments.

Software Development (20 credits)

Learn the basic principles of programming. Develop your skills in logical analysis into formal representation within structured program code. Cover the core principles of computer programming that underpin all computer science disciplines. Focus on simple data storage and manipulation using the primary programming structures of sequence, selection, and repetition. Develop programs using industry standard techniques.

Web Applications and Data Management (20 credits)

Be introduced to the fundamentals of client-server web-based development from a programming perspective. Learn key concepts that will allow you to start building dynamic web applications in response to business requirements. Develop web applications using industry standard tools and techniques and use of a range of programming, markup, and query languages.

Computer Systems and Networks (20 credits)

Develop a sound knowledge of networking protocols and technologies, together with the techniques to install, configure and troubleshoot a network operating system. Acquire the skills to maximise network availability to all users. Learn about client server architectures and cloud computing paradigms.

Introduction to Game Development (20 credits)

In the modern games industry, development is facilitated through game engines. This module will teach programming through popular game engines to familiarise you with the industry standard. You will also learn the fundamental principles of game design, teaching you how to view games from as many perspectives as possible. You will apply the knowledge gained from this module to develop a simple game, and to produce a game design document.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Personalised Skills Development (20 credits)

Learn key skills such as self-determination, planning and actioning of goals, time management, independent learning and team working.

Software Enterprise Project (20 credits)

This module has been developed with the support of the Institute of Coding, a network of employers, universities, training providers and professional bodies working together to create the skills needed for the digital economy. The module has been modified as a result of collaboration with a number of industry partners including SAGE and Adlink, to enhance industry relevant employability skills.

Rapid Game Prototyping (20 credits)

Enhance your game development skills by undergoing an iterative procedure of rapid game prototyping. A series of games will be developed rapidly to not only provide hands on experience with games development, but also improve your abilities in games programming and project management, with an emphasis on your own creativity throughout the process. Throughout the module you will critically evaluate gameplay mechanics in response to a player’s expectations and experience.

Object Oriented Game Development (20 credits)

Use C/C++ as the object-oriented programming language to produce the various forms of artefacts associated with video games.

Games Programming (20 credits)

The ability to reduce a game down to its core is fundamental for any professional game developer. As such, you will study gameplay elements of well-established titles in order to reduce them to their minimum viable products. Games programming techniques will also be taught in a practical way, giving you hands-on experience with AI, game mathematics and programming design patterns. You will be assessed on your ability to develop a demo that focuses entirely on a gameplay mechanic of your own creation, outlined in a written professional game design document.

Game Assets Development (20 credits)

In the games industry, you are working within a multi-disciplinary team. As a programmer, you will often need to communicate with those in other professions throughout development. This module concentrates on the development of digital 3D models using industry standard 3D modelling packages such as Autodesk 3DS Max. To support this, the module also covers the fundamentals of 3D modelling scripting languages and shaders.

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules

Computing Project (40 credits)

Undertake advanced study, including a literature review, in order to research and develop to completion a substantial piece of work that demonstrates the range of skills you have acquired. You will also submit a dissertation that describes and evaluates the problem and solution. Past examples include an Android audio application, a Trojan detector and a network monitoring tool.

Games Platform Programming (20 credits)

This module will introduce fundamental optimisation techniques that are essential for any contemporary professional game developer for you to then apply within the development of your games. With a focus on data structures and algorithms essential to games programming, and game engine architecture, you will acquire the skills to efficiently develop games for a specific platform (e.g. mobile or console).

Professional Game Portfolio (20 credits)

To solidify your position within the games industry, it is imperative to develop your own small portfolio of games. Without this, the industry will find it difficult to see your passion for game development. This portfolio should be comprised of at least three to four finished, and polished games. They should be small but to a high quality. This module will give you the freedom to create one substantial piece of work to add to your portfolio. You will be assessed on the initial research of your chosen piece, its feasibility, and the finished product. You will present your game idea in the form of a pitch at the start of the module, and then demonstrate the quality of your final piece through a gameplay session towards the end.

Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)

This module develops your knowledge of current AI principles and your skills in this fast-moving area, which is a particular focus of Sunderland’s research.

Optional modules (choose one):

Android Mobile Development (20 credits)

Analyse, design, develop, test and deploy native mobile applications using Java and Android Studio. You will be introduced to native programming, application build and deployment, the Android ecosystem, security and software engineering in a student led and practical manner.

User Experience Design (20 credits)

You will study principles and practices that ensure users gain the most appropriate experience when interacting with computer-based software and hardware systems.

Software Enterprise (20 credits)

Gain the knowledge and skills that will enable you to explore and exploit business opportunities for software enterprises.

Students into Schools (20 credits) (This is an Institute of Coding supported module)

Undertake a work-based placement to support computing in a school or equivalent learning environment.

Facilities

This course is based at the David Goldman Technology Centre, a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1250/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 3 subjects) ACT (score of 30+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, we also offer this course with an Help and Advice article.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK/*Europe
£13,000 if you are an international student

*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss nationals are classed as international, however 21/22 entrants will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the (undergraduate) home tuition fee rate of £9,250 for the duration of their studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's by night

Career ready

This course has a strong emphasis on real-world learning that boosts employability and equips you to make a bigger contribution in the workplace. You will acquire a high level of software related transferable skills that will make you attractive to local, regional, national and international companies.

Graduate success

Sunderland has a good reputation with employers. 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers). The top type of job gained by our graduates is ‘information and communication technology professional’.

In your final year of the course, you will undertake a major individual project with research-active staff. This adds to your hands-on experience and, in some cases, leads to a job offer that can be taken up as soon as the course ends.

Career options

Our graduates have gone on to become web programmers, IT managers, information analysts and software developers. Employers that have taken on our graduates include Sage, British Airways and the NHS. Other graduates have started their own businesses or become software contractors earning over £50,000 a year.

Professional Practice Weeks (PPWs)

PPWs present you with real-world problems that must be solved in a working week. The assessments aim to provide you with an experience reflective of the industry you want to enter, and give you meaningful feedback that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills. There are five PPWs in each academic year and each year has a different theme. Previous themes include the City of Culture Bid in 2017 and e-sports in 2018. Feedback from students about the PPWs is very positive, with comments including:

"Because the solutions we had to develop were rather complex applied solutions, our work felt much better tied in with what we would do later on while working in the industry.”
“…it gets you thinking and acting like a professional - as they seem to mimic real world scenarios.”
“It was a good introduction to what working in IT really looks like.”

Meet the students

I came here to change my hobby and passion into my job and successfully achieved that goal.

Emanuel Gheorghe

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Technology.

Page last updated: 23 September 2021

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