Games Computing

Games computing sits at the intersection of computer science and the interactive entertainment industry, combining the technical disciplines of programming, graphics, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering with the design thinking and creative problem-solving that make games engaging and playable. It is a field that has grown from a niche hobby industry into one of the largest and most technologically innovative sectors in the global economy, producing experiences that span console and mobile games, virtual and augmented reality, serious games for training and education, and interactive simulation.

At Northumbria University in Newcastle, this four-year Extended Degree programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and a work placement, making it one of the most professionally and internationally embedded routes into games computing available. The extended format gives you more time than a standard three-year degree to develop both your technical skills and your creative understanding of game design, and the combination of sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement ensures that your degree is not purely academic. The sandwich year gives you extended professional experience in a games development or related technology company, while the year abroad allows you to study games computing in a different country and academic environment, which is valuable in a global industry.

You will study programming, algorithms, data structures, graphics programming, game engine architecture, artificial intelligence for games, and the design principles that underpin engaging interactive experiences. Northumbria's industry connections in the North East and beyond support the placement process, and the university's focus on applied learning means that projects and portfolio work are central to the degree.

Graduates move into roles as games programmers, graphics engineers, AI developers, tools engineers, and technical designers in the games industry, as well as into technology roles across simulation, virtual reality, film, and interactive media. Some graduates also pursue further study or research in games computing or computer science.