Games Programming

Games Programming is the discipline of writing the code that brings video games to life. Where game design focuses on the creative and experiential dimensions of games, games programming is concerned with the technical systems that implement them: the engines that render graphics, the physics simulations that govern movement, the artificial intelligence that drives non-player characters, the networking code that enables multiplayer, and the tools that allow the rest of the development team to build the game itself. It is a technically demanding specialism at the intersection of computer science and creative production.

At the University of Northampton, this four-year programme includes a foundation year, making it accessible to students who need to build their programming and mathematical foundations before entering the main degree. The foundation year develops the core skills in mathematics, computing, and problem-solving that the main programme requires, and the transition is carefully supported. In the main degree, you will study game engine architecture, graphics programming, physics programming, artificial intelligence for games, and software engineering practices, working in industry-standard development environments and using engines such as Unreal and Unity.

Games Programming graduates are in demand across the games industry and beyond. Games studios of all sizes, from major publishers to independent developers, employ programmers at every career stage. The technical skills developed are also highly transferable: simulation and training, defence and aerospace, virtual reality, architectural visualisation, and the film and television industry all employ people with games programming expertise.

Postgraduate study in games technology, computer graphics, or artificial intelligence is available for those who want to develop specialist research skills. The foundation year element of this programme makes it particularly accessible to students who are passionate about games and programming but whose prior educational background is not yet at the standard required for direct entry.