About this course
The course builds on and shares many modules with our Computer Science degree. We then combine this with specialised games technology modules to produce a distinct and unique course – perfect if you are interested in creative applications of computer technology.
The combination of a solid foundation in traditional computer science and games technology knowledge allows you to keep your options open regarding jobs and career paths. Our graduates are just as likely to move into well-paid careers with Investment banks or Motorsports companies as they are to join the ranks of a AAA games Studio.
Join us, and you will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge needed to design and implement various computer systems. You’ll mainly be software engineering using C++. You will also learn to program using Python, Java and C#, providing you with a fantastic portfolio of development skills demanded by employers today. You will be introduced to the techniques behind the production of 3D game assets and develop your games using Unreal Engine 5, Unity and the Android SDK. You will take these skills to the next level by developing serious and educational games for real-world clients and creating immersive experiences for VR headsets like the Meta Quest3, Pico3 and Vive Pro Eye.
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We focus on the Industrial and medical applications of game technologies; our student work can be groundbreaking and innovative and consistently attracts industry attention -
You will have access to superior facilities, equipment and software, including our Vicon Motion Capture Suite, our green screen and our VR-equipped Human Interaction Technology Lab. -
This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Computer Science and BSc (Hons) Software Engineering, allowing you the flexibility to review your pathway once you've started studying.
What you’ll study
You will build a foundation of core computer science and software engineering skills in your first year. We assume no prior knowledge of computer programming and accept students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. We will provide all the help and support you need to develop and succeed as a coder. Beginning with Python but moving rapidly to C++ will equip you with the technical skills required to engage with the specialised games tech modules which will follow in subsequent years.
During the second year, you will write code that integrates with networks and operating systems; you will complete modules focused on game programming and 3D asset creation and will be guided through advanced maths and graphical programming techniques. You will also work as part of a team to develop a major project, often by applying game technology to the design of solutions to real-world problems. Many students integrate these projects with competitions or networking events like Global Game Jam or the Microsoft Imagine cup.
In your final year, around one-third of your time will be spent working on your major project; this is a great opportunity to focus and specialise in a chosen area of interest with recent projects as diverse as advanced visual FX techniques, EEG mind control of games and games for rehabilitation and therapy. You can also study modules on virtual reality, Mobile app development, physics simulation, serious games and artificial intelligence, including the Microsoft Certified Azure AI fundamentals course available to all our students.
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals course
If you take the Artificial Intelligence module in your final year, you will participate in the Microsoft-certified Azure AI Fundamentals program as part of your studies. The program is designed as a blended learning experience, combining instructor-led training with online materials accessed on the Microsoft Learn platform.
Microsoft will sponsor your cloud subscription, course materials and certification test fees for no cost. When you graduate, you will also get the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certificate – a valuable addition to your CV.
Find out more about the Azure AI Fundamentals course.
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Foundations of Computer Programming
You will be introduced to the approaches for planning and developing programmes using modern high-level language. Working on developing solutions through programming that tackle real-world problems, you’ll develop the key fundamentals you’ll build on throughout your course.
Foundations of Computer Technology and Mathematics
This module builds essential knowledge for your course, covering computer system fundamentals and mathematical reasoning. You'll develop an understanding of how computers work at a fundamental level while enhancing problem-solving skills through mathematics.
Computer Science Programming
Learn about programming languages relevant to software with industrial scale, reliability and performance characteristics.
Computer Technology and Mathematics
Understand how a computer works, look at issues arising from the hardware architecture and extend your mathematical knowledge and ability.
Systems Analysis and Design (SAD)
Introducing you to the fundamental principles of SAD, this module gives you a working knowledge of key systems development methodologies, techniques and tools.
Academic and Professional Development
This module will enable you to learn about the professional bodies and standards relating to the computing profession and enhance your employability potential by increasing your awareness of the technological, social and economic factors driving the IT industry.
Applied Mathematics and Graphics (20 cp)
This module provides you with a range of mathematical skills necessary for the implementation of computer systems which interact with or model the physical world.
Games Programming (20 cp)
Introduces you to specific game development technologies. It builds on object-oriented development skills and key programming concepts in current gaming technology.
Practical Project Management and Professional Development (20 cp)
Continued professional development and lifelong learning are important to your future career. Through this module, you’ll improve your time and project management skills, presentations and report writing. This module also includes detailed guidance about developing your CV and provides the experience of selection assessments for industrial placement / graduate employment positions.
Software Design and Implementation (20 cp)
Equips you with the knowledge and skills in software development techniques to support the development of robust, secure, maintainable and portable software systems.
Systems Software (20 cp)
Learn about operating systems theory, network solutions, design and implementation and how computer systems can be connected to form large, complex distributed systems.
Digital 3D (20 cp)
Design and develop 3D environments and characters for computer game systems.
Optional year-long work placement. If you are not taking a placement you will progress directly to your final year in year three.
Project
Investigate problems in computing, implement solutions, critically evaluate and reflect on your work, and develop your abilities to communicate, self-organise and manage.
Graphics for Games and Dynamic Modelling
Learn the fundamental principles of advanced 3D rendering and physical simulation and appreciate “fitness for purpose” and the full implications of hardware choices.
Virtual Reality
You will develop your knowledge of virtual reality technology and be presented with past and current research into fields such as VR training and simulation, architectural visualisation, disability access and 3D recording of ancient monuments and artefacts.
Mobile Platform Applications
Development Understand the requirements, capabilities and constraints of various mobile platform technologies and consider how they can be used to build systems outside the traditional desktop paradigm.
Choose one of the following modules:
Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Learn about the theoretical foundations of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the main methods and techniques and current areas of AI research and development.
Serious Games
Examine the use of computers for teaching, focusing mainly on virtual reality and multimedia systems in developing and applying games for learning.
Advanced Software Engineering
Develop techniques and strategies to analyse, choose, propose, design, implement, test and evaluate software elements.
Information Security
Apply the skills learnt in this module to conduct an appropriate risk analysis and generate information assurance plans for a given context.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
You'll attend lectures and seminars each week at the Clifton Campus. Lectures are spread across various buildings on the Clifton Campus.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
Who will teach me?
You will be taught by a team of experienced academic staff. Much of our research is internationally recognised, particularly in applying game technology to tackle problems of social exclusion and discrimination problems and promote accessibility. We have a longstanding research theme of developing rehabilitation games for people who had a stroke. We continue to work on projects bringing game technology to people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
James Lewis - Course Leader
James Lewis has over 20 years of experience in interactive 3D and virtual reality and has published over 30 papers on game-related research topics.
Dr Simon Schofield
Dr Schofield teaches computer graphics and game programming. Simon created the award-winning Piranesi Interactive Rendering system, which architects use worldwide. Then, while working at the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, he won a Bafta Interactive for a music-based game.
Professor David Brown
Professor David Brown leads serious games. They are often tailored towards ongoing international research projects, integrating our undergraduates with his Interactive Systems Research Group staff to expose them to subjects at the forefront of the discipline.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
Research informed teaching
Our research is tackling real-world issues – and the people working on this research will be teaching you. It also informs the subjects you’ll be studying with us so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 80% of NTU's Computer Science and Informatics submission was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.
How you're assessed
You will be assessed on a variety of components, including:
- coursework and practical (assignments, dissertation, group projects, oral presentations, reports)
- written (exams, written tests)
Careers and employability
Your career development
This course provides a thorough education in computing for industry, meaning you graduate with advanced software development skills and can design and manage complex information systems.
Our recent graduates have secured roles at companies including:
- Orange
- Rockstar Games
- Outso Ltd
- Sharp Gaming
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Jigsaw Systems
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles, including:
- Games Tester
- Apple Systems Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Graduate Game Development and Programmer
- Technology Graduate Scheme
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their businesses.
Excellent placement opportunities
Placements
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you a chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
We are passionate about the value added to your degree by taking a work placement, and we provide dedicated support to help you succeed in the application process. The placement year enables you to use the skills acquired on the course in a real-world working context and can be taken in the UK or overseas. Our students have been putting their knowledge into practice in recent years at exciting companies like Sumo Games, Disney, Mercedes AMG and Next.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Centre (ISTeC) with access to facilities including a Games Development Lab Robotics lab and a High Performance Computing Suite.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent including a IT, Maths or Science subject grade C
- Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent including a IT, Maths or Science subject grade C
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent including a IT, Maths or Science subject grade C. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
