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Game Development with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

This is a four-year version of our popular BSc (Hons) Game Development course, with an integrated foundation year. Dive into the world of gameplay programming with engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine 4. Develop games for PC, mobile and PlayStation 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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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?

We are a University that is nationally recognised for supporting learners, particularly from non-traditional backgrounds and many students come to us with no formal qualifications but with valuable work experience

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

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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 (i.e. coursework) that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing opportunities for feedback and consolidating your learning.

Foundation Year

The Computing Integrated Foundation Year includes five modules:

Foundation of Computing (40 credits)

Consider a wide range of perspectives related to the field of computing to help prepare you for your degree study. Understand how a modern computer works and how this has developed over time, leading to the adoption of the Von Neumann architecture. Comprehend various ways of programming a computer using a modern compiled software language.

Essential Study Skills (20 credits)

Develop the necessary skills for study at university. Enhance your academic writing, communication, and presentation skills. Reflect upon your development, career aspirations, and personal goals.

Foundation Project (20 credits)

Investigate a topic area related to your degree programme, and produce either a portfolio, practical project, performance, artefact, video, website, essay, or analysis of data/report. Engage in lectures, tutorials, lab, and/or practical sessions with subject specialists. Gain experience of researching your subject area and further develop your critical thinking, writing, time management, and organisational skills.

Fundamentals of Computer Networking and Security (20 credits)

Study the components of a computer network, install and power up virtual machines and describe threats to their security and well-being. Develop your confidence when working with networks, virtualization, and security. Enhance the skills vital to becoming an IT professional, including communication skills, operation procedures, and ethical and legal considerations.

Practical Numeracy Skills (20 credits)

Consolidate your numeracy skills and see how to apply them to real-life scenarios. Consider how statistical results are presented, calculated, and misrepresented. Study the foundations of numeracy, including powers, roots, fractions, percentages, standard form, area and volume, ratio, and proportion.

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

Year 1 (national level 4):

Software Engineering (20 credits)

Explore a wide range of software engineering techniques and industry practices, designed to promote the production of high-quality, efficient, reliable, and secure software. Examine how software is created and the various stages of the software development lifecycle, together with consideration of social, ethical, professional, and legal issues. Evaluate software products to ensure that they are functioning correctly, and conclude their strengths and weaknesses.

Computer Systems, Architectures and Networks (20 credits)

Gain an overview of how a computer works, from the moment it is switched on. Explore what happens inside the machine, including how computers process input, generate output and store data. Install and configure a modern operating system, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems using real equipment and simulations.

Introduction to Programming (20 credits)

Learn about the fundamental programming concepts, including how to write computer programs using a high-level programming language such as Python or C#. Develop an understanding of debugging techniques to find and resolve defects. Select and implement appropriate structures for file handling, data manipulation, and error handling within a program.

Full Stack Development (20 credits)

Explore both front-end and back-end web development, and use frameworks to create a fully dynamic web application. Consider the development of the modern web and review the underlying technologies and standards. Create programs that run on a live web server and use a modern programming language.

Specialist Project (20 credits)

Explore and develop an individual project based around your preferred area of study. Work directly with subject specialists in workshop-style sessions to explore your specialism. Appreciate the social, ethical, professional, and legal issues as they apply to computer-based systems.

Game Development (20 credits)

Gain hands-on experience using an industry-standard game engine. Plan and design a game using relevant principles and techniques, and incorporate the fundamentals of level design. Apply game programming techniques using an established set of relevant game-related technologies.

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

Year 2 (national level 5):

Rapid Game Prototyping (20 credits)

Get practical experience and experiment with the tools and techniques used in game development. Rapidly design and develop a series of game artifacts, with a particular focus on gameplay mechanics. Critically reflect on the rapid prototyping approach to game development.

Agile Development and DevOps (20 credits)

Learn how to use Agile and DevOps practices in modern software development, using a range of modern tools and technologies. Apply SCM concepts and GIT commands to a range of developer situations. Design, develop and deploy a workflow on a remote repository that automatically builds, tests and deploy a software product.

Advanced Programming (20 credits)

Propose solutions to programming problems through OO software design modeling, using UML diagrams, notations, and techniques. Apply advanced OO programming constructs to the development of professional-standard software. Select appropriate software design patterns, data structures and algorithms to provide efficient solutions to complex programming problems.

Enterprise Project (20 credits)

Participate in the organising, running, controlling, and monitoring of a team tasked to produce a computer-based solution to a client-posed problem. Respond to client analysis and feedback to progress and complete your prototype solution. Appreciate enterprise approaches for software project determination, selection, development, implementation, and criteria-based evaluation.

Immersive Application Development (20 credits)

Explore the use and effectiveness of current immersive technologies, including Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality. Learn how immersive technologies are being used and embraced in the industry and consider these technologies in the context of entertainment. Examine and evaluate an application prototype for its immersive and interactive qualities.

C++ Programming (20 credits)

Enhance your knowledge of the C++ language and develop your programming skills. Delve into data structures and algorithms and other C++ techniques such as memory management and overloading. Compare and contrast the usage of C++ development frameworks or engines in a gaming context.

Optional placement:

Industrial Placement (120 credits)

Spend 48 weeks on placement working within the industry. Refine, plan, schedule and produce an individual project based on your experience. Critically reflect on the skills and experience gained as part of your placement.

Final year (national level 6):

Computing Project (40 credits)

Articulate an in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of your chosen research topic. Develop your professional skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, self-reflection, and time management. Collect, organise, and present your body of work, including a critical evaluation and correct citation and reference of appropriate research sources.

Artificial Intelligence (20 credits)

Examine a range of AI techniques and their application to problem-solving within society, industry, and research. Develop an awareness of the contemporary developments in the field of AI and their application and potential implications. Critically assess real-world problems and determine which AI approaches are suitable for their solutions.

UX Design (20 credits)

Translate research user and contextual data into human-centered design tools such as user stories, personas, and scenarios. Design and develop digital prototypes for a given problem specification. Critically evaluate the usability and user experience of a given interactive system.

Collaborative VR Applications (20 credits)

Develop a collaborative VR application using network programming and industry-standard tools. Consider what makes an interactive artefact collaborative and investigate the limitations of multi-user VR applications. Devise appropriate technical design documentation for a collaborative VR application using industry-standard diagrams and or illustrations.

Game Showpiece (20 credits)

Critically evaluate and select appropriate contemporary tools and techniques to design a showpiece game. Enhance your transferable skills in presenting, planning, and time management. Evaluate the success of the game with respect to potential or actual end users and reflect on the development process.

As well as an enthusiastic teaching team, you will be supported by the Academic Technical Support team, whose role is to aid students and staff with teaching and projects; help with practical taught sessions; and configure PCs and other kit. They are experienced and knowledgeable and can be approached by students for support at any time.
Academic Technical Support
The Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s is nestled between the River Wear and the sea, just two minutes from the coast, and set in expansive green space on the banks of the river next to the historic St Peter's Church. This provides a picturesque backdrop and a great location for travelling to the beach or the city centre.

The David Goldman Technology Centre is a high-tech computing environment with strong links to software companies and a constant exchange of ideas and people.
David Goldman Technology Centre
The Games Lab is used by Game Development students, across all years. The space is well equipped, with Dual Monitor Displays for coding and demoing; custom-built powerful machines for game development and rapid prototyping; and PlayStation Academic Development Suit for console development. There are also various VR headsets available for use and a retro arcade console for gaming and old-school game development. Students will use Unity Software and Unreal Engines to design and develop games.
Games Lab
The David Goldman Technology Centre has a variety of open plan spaces, and the Level 2 Gallery is a communal space for students to relax and study.
Audio Visual Technology is available for students to use whenever, for example, using smart screens to view presentations for further study.
Level 2 Gallery
Study physical networking and virtual networking in this space, as well as how to secure networks.
Facilities include switches and routers, picocell mobile technology and an eye-tracker which can be used in research projects.
There is even the opportunity to program sensors used in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, for example heart monitors used in the healthcare industry.
Networks and Cybersecurity Lab
The Project Lab is used by final year Computing students to enable them to work on their final year project in their individual study time. Specific software can be added to the computer stations, if necessary for the students’ projects. Presentations and vivas (an oral exam whereby students present their thesis) are carried out in this space too.
Project Lab
Map and directions

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

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, T Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
OR
2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

If you are unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us!

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Maths and English we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

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/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled.

If you are a full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled student you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants 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.

Graduate success

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.

Meet the team — BSc (Hons) Game Development with Integrated Foundation Year

View all staff for BSc (Hons) Game Development with Integrated Foundation Year

Related courses

BSc (Hons) Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics with Integrated Foundation Year

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: 24 February 2023

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

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