Curious about studying Computer Games Design and Programming (with a Foundation Year) - BSc (Hons)at University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Stoke-on-Trent Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
As a Computer Games Design and Programming student, you’ll learn how to prototype your game concepts using industry-standard game engines, develop your programming skills in C++ and C#, and refine gameplay to create engaging and immersive projects through playtesting and user feedback. Run in affiliation with games industry body TIGA, this course will give you the skills you need for a career in games development focused around using multiple games technologies. This course has been designed around the needs of the games industry with the focus on developing fundamental programming skills while solidifying your use of game design principles. These core areas cover many of the job roles advertised by a highly competitive worldwide games industry and allow a graduate to cast a wide net when it comes to applying for a games studio role. This broad skill set also makes graduates from this course ideally suited to joining independent teams where the need to be flexible in a role is particularly valuable or to create their own games. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. In addition, you will have meetings with your Academic Mentor throughout each year to support your learning and personal development. Throughout your time at the University of Staffordshire, you will have many opportunities to interact with the games industry in events such as guest lectures, portfolio reviews, game jams, networking socials, mock interviews and many more. On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design and Programming.
Foundation Year Modules
This module introduces students to the process of game design and creation. Students will learn how to design great gameplay experiences in the form of levels and game mechanics. This is achieved by exploring existing game design theory, deconstructing existing games, and producing clear, professional game design documentation.
Foundation Year Modules
This module introduces students to games development using games engines. By utilising existing game frameworks, students will learn the foundations of level creation and scripting in Unreal Engine.
Foundation Year Modules
The games industry is a melting pot of different creative and technical roles. In this module, you will begin your journey as a games developer in training, understanding the roles and career opportunities within the games industry and beyond. You will also be exposed to the reality of the industry, exploring the ethical, economic, and societal impact of games. We will also support you in the creation of a career action plan, helping you to develop as an independent learner.
Foundation Year Modules
Video games are interdisciplinary pieces of interactive art that require a range of specialist skills. The majority of the games that you have played will have been developed by a team of individuals. Games Developers rarely work alone. This module will challenge you to capitalise on your skills and individual creativity while working with a mixed disciplinary team of games developers. Beyond developing a video games artefact, you will be exposed to the tools, practices, and transferable skills required to work effectively as part of a group.
Foundation Year Modules
The fundamentals of programming module will give you a firm grounding in the concepts of programming. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, you will then create a game using your acquired knowledge.Once you have completed the module, you will be prepared for taking your skills further with C++, which is introduced at level 4. You will also appreciate how programming skills interrelate to engine assisted development.
This module considers an introduction to the fundamentals of scripting in C#. Scripting is an important tool in developing interactive and fun experiences for players. You will learn how to leverage the power of C# scripting to technically design and build interactive gameplay solutions.
Computer games systems need to solve computational problems very quickly, in order to deliver the best experience possible. In Computational Methods, students will learn the kinds of techniques, developed through computer science, that can help to solve computational problems in the most efficient ways possible. Students will also learn to appreciate just how long problems can take if the more efficient techniques are not employed.
You will be taught from scratch how to design, develop and enhance your own early-stage game prototypes using prototyping techniques and scripting in an industry-standard game engine. This will include how to manage your time effectively.
This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of computer graphics in games and graphical programming techniques applied to games.
This module develops further students understanding of game mechanic creation using a game engine. Students will learn how to plan, communicate and implement core game concepts, such as characters, enemies and game loops in order to create fun, playable prototypes of their own design.
There are a wide range of core programming concepts that a required to understand before you can create more complex games and applications. In this module we will introduce the techniques required to get started in the world of programming, this means topics such as: data types, conditionals, functions, and object-oriented programming will be taught which will culminate in the development of a text-based game.
You will explore how adding a dimension to gameplay adds to the possibilities of what can be created. On completion of this module, you will be able to design complex mechanics with an understanding of how the end user will interact with them.
You will explore how to make truly efficient systems within a commercial engine structure utilising both C++ and visual scripting. Completing this module will give you a keen understanding of how programmers can make systems that designers can easily work with without tangling your code.
What are fundamental Artificial Intelligence skills a student needs to build their own games and enter the games industry? Game Artificial Intelligence addresses this question and provides the knowledge and practical skills in four key areas: Research, Steering behaviours, Pathfinding (i.e. A*) and Decision Making. The module assessment challenges you to understand the importance of not just implementing AI algorithms, but also to engage in problem solving and research into the state-of-the-art AI methods employed in industry.
You will explore different smoke and mirrors trickery used within the games industry to make games feel better to play. On completion of this module, you will understand how to manipulate your systems to make them feel more fun.
Students will work in a junior role in a group comprised of students from across the suite of games development courses to mimic a games development studio. They will work with other juniors and level 6 students who take the role of seniors, to make a vertical slice of a game.
The Games Development Project module gives students an opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of research testing and analysis or a high-quality artefact, ready for their portfolio. You can focus your studies on your career aspirations. Whether it's stylised game characters, stalking AI monsters, procedural environments, immersive level design, or a concept for futuristic vehicles. The project allows you the opportunity to work with a supervisor and tailor the project to you. Your supervisor will be your guide and project manager. Supporting you in your journey to create a highly developed outcome with industry standard software whilst receiving lectures on portfolio development and employability.
You will remake a classic arcade game with modern practices in a low-level language. This will give you a round-up of everything needed to make a game in a scaled down setting without the extra challenges of designing a whole new game. On completion of the module, you will be better equipped to tackle challenges of modern game design.
In multiplayer level design you will design, evaluate, and improve a multiplayer map over several rounds of iterations. Through this process you will develop knowledge of multiplayer design and the methods and tools used in the industry to design balanced and engaging levels. You will complete the module with a portfolio ready multiplayer level.
Students will work in a senior role in a group comprised of students from across the suite of games development courses to mimic a games development studio. They will work with other seniors to effectively support and lead a team including level 5 students, to make a vertical slice of a game.
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