Computer Games Development

Computer games development is the discipline concerned with how games are conceived, designed, engineered, and brought to life. It sits at an exciting intersection of computer science, art, psychology, and storytelling, drawing together technical programming skills, visual design, audio engineering, narrative construction, and an understanding of how players engage with interactive systems. Games are now one of the largest sectors in the global creative economy, and the skills that go into making them overlap substantially with those needed in film, simulation, virtual reality, and interactive media more broadly.

At the University of Bedfordshire, this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year that provides an introductory year for students who need to build their technical and creative foundations before entering the main degree. The foundation year is designed to be accessible regardless of your specific prior background, and the typical entry tariff of 56 points reflects that inclusive approach. Through the degree itself, you will study programming, game engine development, graphics, animation, artificial intelligence for games, level design, and the business and production contexts within which games are made.

You will work on project-based work that builds a portfolio of practical output, which is one of the most important things a games development graduate can take into the job market.

Graduates from computer games development programmes find roles in games studios, serious games companies, simulation and training organisations, film and visual effects companies, and the growing field of interactive media. Technical roles include programmer, gameplay engineer, graphics developer, and tools engineer. Creative and design roles include level designer, narrative designer, game designer, and technical artist.

Many graduates also go on to work in adjacent industries such as virtual reality, augmented reality, or interactive advertising. Some pursue postgraduate study in games design, computer science, or digital media to develop a specialist direction further.