Curious about studying Computer Games Design and Programming (with a Placement 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.
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.
2D games require very differnet techniques than 3D games. In this module you will not only learn and enhance your C++ programming but you will also learn how plan and build a 2D game using SDL. You will also have the ability to bring in skills you learn from other first year modules setting you on a good pathway for future games programming and development modules.
Students will cover the basics of a games engine, how they have evolved over time and how all the elements of a games engine function as one entity. They will also be introduced to a games engine's software development kit (SDK) toolset that will cover the following elements whilst relating to resources and balanced functionality.
This module focuses on the theoretical side to games design and covers a wide variety of topics ranging from level design and development to mechanic exploration and breakdown. The assignment consists of a series of task-based learning and problem solving as well as covering some of the essential software in games design.
Students are taught from scratch how to design, develop and enhance their own game prototypes using rapid prototyping techniques, scripting and an industry standard game engine. The emphasis is on demonstrating core gameplay ideas within short timescales.
This module creates an understanding of the importance of utilising an embedded scripting language within an engine. This will be used to create simple game entities and later in the module, a simple game.
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