Games Development courses 2022/23

Undergraduate study

Games Development Undergraduate Games Development courses at the University of Huddersfield, starting in 2022. University of Huddersfield, inspiring global professions.

2022/23

Why us?

Check this out!

Placements

Award Winning

We encourage all our students to undertake a placement year in industry with support from our dedicated Placement Unit. Or you could start your own studio with our Enterprise Placement year scheme, you’ll get support from an industry mentor.

Our Games graduates regularly place as winners for Game Republic and Grads in Games competitions.

Student Support

Future Employment

Throughout your time at university you have access to specialised support, from help with your timetable to academic skills.

94.6% of our undergraduate students are in work and/or further study approximately 15 months after graduating.*

Open Days 2021 Saturday 3 July (online) Saturday 2 October Saturday 16 October (online) Saturday 6 November Saturday 4 December Wednesday 12 January (online) Book now hud.ac.uk/open-days

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2017/18, UK domiciled, UG, other activities excluded.

What’s inside Our courses

04 Games Development (Art) BA(Hons) 06 Games Development (Design) BA(Hons) 08 Games Development (Production) BSc(Hons) 10 Computer Science with Games Programming BSc(Hons) 11 Canalside Studios 12 Global Professional Award 13 Student support 15 Apply to us

Start your journey with us hud.ac/apply 3

Games Development (Art) BA(Hons)

Your course

Course info

Do you see yourself as an artist? Do you love the idea of watching your creations come to life? On this course, we will explore what is possible with games art and development, learn more about conceptualisation, creative production, character and environment art, level design and prototyping with game engines, all of which are built through ever advancing technology. We’ll encourage you to get creative and ambitious with your designs and develop visionary artwork.

Course length: 3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year

Our course explores visual design, character creation, environmental design and digital sculpting, and our Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts.

We’ll also aim to introduce new technologies and developments that emerge in the games industry, as well as exploring the subject in context, exploring current research, issues and ideas. As the course progresses and your understanding evolves you will become more specialised in your chosen area, producing design prototypes, concept and artwork, scripting and playtesting all to learn the skills of the entire game production cycle. You’ll work both on your own but also in a group setting so we can support you in developing your team working abilities, which reflects the way the industry operates.

Example modules • • • •

Games Design & Development Introduction to 3D: Character Creation 3D Game Asset Development Visual Studies

Your future If you’d like to take what you’ve learnt out into the real world, we also give you the opportunity to spend a placement year working in the industry.

Our Placement Unit can help you find a position that’s right for you.

Alternatively, we have a small number of placements available in our in-house games development studio, Canalside Studios, where you could find yourself working as part of a team developing games for a range of platforms including mobile, iPhone /Android and VR development with latest VR technologies. Previous students have also developed commercial titles for Steam and Nintendo Switch.

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For more detailed course information visit courses.hud.ac.uk

Entry requirements: BBB/DDM/120 Plus GCSE Maths and English Language or Literature at grade 4/C or above

This page shows student work by: Top Oliver Fayer – Character Artist Middle Chris Rhodes – Environment Artist Bottom Samuel Sharpe – Prop Artist

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Games Development (Design) BA(Hons)

Your course

Course info

Computer game designers are needed as the fundamental backbones of computer game development. During the course we cover complex aspects of games design and development, we’ll look at the analysis of games explore what works and what doesn’t. We provide you with the chance to take a deeper look at the broader understanding of games development and explore what is possible within the medium of games.

Course length: 3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year

Our Games Development (Design) explores various design disciplines, including, games analysis, games design theory and practice, 3D modelling and 2D asset creation. Our Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts.

We’ll also aim to introduce new technologies and developments that emerge in the games industry, as well as exploring the subject in context, exploring current research, issues and ideas. As the course progresses and your understanding evolves you will become more specialised in your chosen area, producing design prototypes, concept and artwork, scripting and playtesting all to learn the skills of the entire game production cycle. You’ll work both on your own but also in a group setting so we can support you in developing your team working abilities, which reflects the way the industry operates.

Example modules • • • •

Games Prototyping Games Analysis 3D Game Asset Development Games Design & Development

Your future If you’d like to take what you’ve learnt out into the real world, we also give you the opportunity to spend a placement year working in the industry.

Our Placement Unit can help you find a position that’s right for you.

Alternatively, we have a small number of placements available in our in-house games development studio, Canalside Studios, where you could find yourself working as part of a team developing games for a range of platforms including mobile, iPhone /Android and VR development with latest VR technologies. Previous students have also developed commercial titles for Steam and Nintendo Switch.

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For more detailed course information visit courses.hud.ac.uk

Entry requirements: BBB/DDM/120 Plus GCSE Maths and English Language or Literature at grade 4/C or above

This page shows student work by: Team Indie Shark.

Showcasing the game Bind and Banish.

Demonstration of game play, level, and pure game design theory in application on a playable prototype.

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Games Development (Production) BSc(Hons)

Your course

Course info

Creating computer games is a complex process that requires multiple skill sets from different members of the team including programmers and artists.

Production designers help bridge that gap and create technologically innovative experiences.

Course length: 3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year

If you are passionate about games production, technology and understanding how to make an entertaining experience, this course could help you get the career you want. On the course we will explore what is possible with games prototyping with game engines, from scripting to shader development. We provide you with the chance to take a deeper look at the broader understanding of games development and explore what is possible within the medium of games. We’ll encourage you to get creative and ambitious with your designs and develop visionary prototypes.

Our three Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts.

We’ll also aim to introduce new technologies and developments that emerge in the games industry, as well as exploring the subject in context, exploring current research, issues and ideas. As the course progresses and your understanding evolves you will become more specialised in your chosen area, producing design prototypes, concept and artwork, scripting and playtesting all to learn the skills of the entire game production cycle. You’ll work both on your own but also in a group setting so we can support you in developing your team working abilities, which reflects the way the industry operates.

Your future If you’d like to take what you’ve learnt out into the real world, we also give you the opportunity to spend a placement year working in the industry.

Our Placement Unit can help you find a position that’s right for you.

Alternatively, we have a small number of placements available in our in-house games development studio, Canalside Studios, where you could find yourself working as part of a team developing games for a range of platforms including mobile, iPhone /Android and VR development with latest VR technologies. Previous students have also developed commercial titles for Steam and Nintendo Switch.

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For more detailed course information visit courses.hud.ac.uk

Entry requirements: BBB/DDM/120 Plus GCSE Maths and English Language or Literature at grade 4/C or above

This page shows student work by: Top Aaron Cant, Technical Artist – Procedural Waterfall System.

Bottom Reece Kuby, VFX Artist – Spaceship Engine Generator.

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Computer Science with Games Programming BSc(Hons)

Your course

Course info

Computer games development is an innovative and thriving industry in the UK. This course aims to help you develop and gain the core knowledge and skills to become a well equipped graduate for this exciting sector.

Course length: 3 years full-time 4 years inc. placement year

Your course is built on the core topics of computer science and software engineering that apply across the computer games and general software industry. In addition, you will study both theoretical and applied topics underpinning the development of modern computer games.

Entry requirements: BBB/DMM/120. Plus GCSE Maths at grade 5/B or above and English Language or Literature at grade 4/C or above

These topics will progress from fundamental games programming techniques to developing various core game sub-systems and game production processes.

Our game specialist topics will cover computational mathematics, game engine architecture, real-time computer graphics, advanced game development techniques and artificial intelligence. And to help develop your abilities and your team working, we’ll get you operating with other students to complete a computer games project.

During your third year you have the opportunity to take a year-long placement. Thanks to our links with a range of employers, you could end up working for a big name. Previous students have taken placements with Sega Europe Ltd, Rebellion Studios, Rockstar Leeds and Red Kite. Or you could have the chance to take a placement at the University’s Canalside Studios, working as part of a team researching and developing games for a range of platforms.

Our Enterprise Placement Year* scheme also affords you the chance to set up your own company (individually or in a group). You’ll have support from business advisors and a games industry mentor. *The Enterprise Placement Year is only open to students from within the UK or the EU

Example modules • • • •

Game Engine Architecture Algorithms Processes and Data Artificial Intelligence Advanced Computer Games Development

Your future Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as network engineer, senior AI programmer, associate producer and DevOps engineer in organisations including Spotify, Rockstar Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe and IBM.** **LinkedIn

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For more detailed course information visit courses.hud.ac.uk

Accreditation This course is accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), the Chartered Institute for the IT industry.

It is also accredited for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status, BCS’s own Chartered qualification.

This course is accredited to also partially meet the requirements for CEng status.

Canalside Studios Canalside Studios is an award-winning games development studio based in the School of Computing and Engineering. Each year Canalside Studios employs placement students from across the Games Development and Computer Science with Games Programming courses.

Canalside Studios main focus is on commercial game development, working as part of a team developing games for a range of platforms including mobile, iPhone /Android and VR development with latest VR technologies. Students create a game which can be released at the end of their placement year, in some cases the games go on to win awards after release.

Previous students have also developed commercial titles as far back as the Xbox 360 to Steam and Nintendo Switch.

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Global Professional Award At Huddersfield we’re proud to inspire global professionals, which is why you’ll study the Global Professional Award alongside your undergraduate degree.* The Award is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (Level 5), meaning you’ll graduate with an additional internationally recognised qualification which will help to set you apart from other graduates, and develop valuable qualities that we know employers are looking for.

Three areas of focus The Careers and Employability focus of the course helps you understand your own aspirations and ambitions. You’ll learn how to turn these into a really powerful tool when it comes to getting a job after you graduate. Going to university can be a transformative experience, but it can also be a little scary. The Wellbeing focus of the course is about giving you the time and support to reflect and transform, from meeting and developing relationships with new people to mental strength and resilience. Through the Enterprise focus you’ll gain new viewpoints to consider and perhaps challenge your current perceptions of the world and how you can have an impact in the future.

Becoming a highly employable graduate Completing the Award will support you to transform into a highly employable graduate who is: • Self-motivated • Enterprising • Resilient

• Able to collaborate with others • A confident leader • Globally and socially aware

How do I complete the Award?

We make it as simple as possible. You’ll complete the Award through a mixture of online and face to face workshops and self-directed learning activities. This will take approximately 1 hour per week, so you’ll still have plenty of time to focus on your degree and your social life.

A key aspect of the Award is that each year you build a portfolio of experiential learning activities by engaging with opportunities within the University and the local community.

You’ll be supported to complete the Award by staff who are specialists in the three areas of Careers and Employability, Wellbeing and Enterprise, plus the lecturers on your course and your PATs will help you to understand how you can get involved.

Find out more about the Global Professional Award at hud.ac/gpa *Full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees

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Student support The School of Computing and Engineering provide a range of support services in addition to the support offered centrally, to assist you during your studies. These dedicated services are on hand to provide advice and guidance on a whole range of academic and non-academic areas.

Student Support Office The team are here to support you with any nonacademic issues. Offering practical advice and support on a wide range of queries which may arise during your time with us from timetabling all the way through to graduation. As well as signposting you to other University Wellbeing Services including disability support, financial queries, health issues, and acting as a link between you and academic members of staff to help in resolving queries you may have.

Student Guidance Office The team are here to offer help in academic writing, understanding assignment briefs, revision techniques, and giving presentations. They provide guidance to understand what is expected in a secure and confidential space, to discuss any academic skills issues you may have. For example, for those who need direction on how to complete essays and assignments, and for those who just need reassurance they are on the right track. They can help you to develop, and build on the skills you need to succeed whatever challenges you face throughout your course.

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The legal bit This brochure was prepared in the spring of 2021 for courses starting in September 2022 and is up to date as at the date of publication. Any subsequent changes to information will be published in the course information listings on our website courses. hud.ac.uk, and you should check this for the latest information before you apply.

Changes to a course you have applied for If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below: Changes to option modules Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be

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necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University.

If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date.

We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Covid-19 Some of the images in this brochure were produced before the Covid-19 pandemic, so may not reflect the social distancing and safety measures that are now in place. You can find out how we are supporting your studies and keeping our campus safe in line with Government guidelines by visiting hud.ac/covid

We hope you’ve found all the information you need to inspire you to become a student here at Huddersfield. Now all you need to do is apply.

Apply to us UCAS

When to apply

If this is your first (undergraduate) degree and you want to study a full-time course, then you’ll apply via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at ucas.com

If you want to start your course in September 2022, you can apply through UCAS any time from September 2021 onwards. Please make sure UCAS receives your application by the first application deadline in January 2022. Please see hud.ac/faa for more information.

If you’re at a college or school right now, it’s probably already registered with UCAS. The best thing to do is ask your teacher or careers adviser to help with your application. Once you’ve applied we’ll keep in touch with you throughout the application process, so you’re up to speed with what’s going on.

Our institution code is HUDDS H60.

Contact us Discover: Games Development Discover what it’s like to study with us and where a career in Games Development might take you – join us for live workshops, chat with our students or access our on-demand content.

Visit: hud.ac/discover-games

Got a question?

Get in touch with us.

Tel. +44(0)1484 957507 Email. compeng@hud.ac.uk @hudcompeng @HudCompEng HudCompEng

Start your journey with us hud.ac/apply 15

The University of Huddersfield’s TEF Gold rating was awarded in June 2017.

The next TEF rating is due to be published in June 2021 (subject to government policy).

University of Huddersfield Queensgate Huddersfield West Yorkshire HD1 3DH UK Tel. +44 (0)1484 422288 Email. ask@hud.ac.uk www.hud.ac.uk 20165