msc game design and development

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Game Development MSc

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What is Game Development MSc?

Developed by industry veterans this Master's in Game Development provides you with the skills you need to gain an edge in the competitive world of videogame development. Your mentors have a combined experience of more than 30 years in the games industry, having worked on AAA franchises including Crysis, Star Wars: Battlefront, Prey, Sniper Elite, Aliens vs. Predator and Bioshock.

Building on your existing skills in art, programming or games design – this course offers you the flexibility to choose the topics that interest you and will help you specialise within a particular field. Topics include technical art, procedural generation algorithms, photogrammetry, environment design, machine learning, data analytics, game theory and design.

Study style

Building on your established knowledge in a computer science or game-related subject, you'll explore specialist topics through lectures and tutorial sessions. You'll be assessed through coursework to give you an additional portfolio piece – to further increase your employability.

In the third semester, you have the option of embarking on a summer industry placement, putting the skills you've learned into action inside a professional game development company.

Entry requirements

Game Development MSc requirements
- We normally require an honours degree of 2.2 or above in a games or computer science related discipline with a substantial software development component.
  
  Applicants failing to meet this requirement may still be eligible for entry if they can demonstrate a strong personal portfolio of related works in an interview with a member of the course staff.
International students
- Please read the entry requirements for your country – and you're welcome to contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course modules

Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (it's unlikely but the contents and structure of the course could change).

Module information is not available for this programme.

Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.

Start date	Location	UCAS code	Total Fee (UK)	Total Fee (international)
Sep 2022	Park, Cheltenham	—	£8,275	£15,000
Sep 2023	Park, Cheltenham	—	TBC	TBC

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work as:

Technical Artist
Game Programmer
3D Modeller
Software Engineer
3D Animator
Game Designer
2D Artist.

Industry links

With close ties to a number of game development studios, all of our modules are approved by current industry specialists. Our annual on-campus conference gives students the opportunity to hear from AAA-developers from companies such as Rebellion Developments, Microsoft Horizon, Neon Play, Slightly Mad Studios and Nixxes and gives students the opportunity to get professional feedback on their portfolios and start to build their network of contacts.

Learn from industry veterans

All your mentors are either industry veterans with experience working on AAA and indie titles, or have a strong background in cutting-edge research like Machine Learning and Serious Games. There is expertise and focus on keeping up-to-date with current industry standards, helping to give you the skills required within industry.

Games Art course example of students' work

Work as part of a multidisciplinary team

Working in the games industry you'll be required to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. This Master's degree offers you a variety of opportunities to work together with designers, programmers and artists to build industry-standard projects, enhance your portfolio and increase your skills.

Student playing video games together

Network with professional developers

This Master's course offers you a variety of career opportunities to enhance your employability and perfect your portfolio. From our industry conference with guest speakers from AAA game studios to our trips to the Brain's Eden Games Jam and Brighton Develop Conference – we give you many opportunities to network with professional developers and get their feedback on your work.

Student with headset and computer game controller

Trips and experiences

You'll be able to work with other programmers, designers and artists on our year-long collaborative project module to create an industry-standard combined portfolio piece to help propel you into the industry.

Placements

In the third semester, you'll have the option of embarking on a summer industry placement – putting the skills you've learned into action inside a professional game development company.