Game Design, Game Development or AI? Computer science and gaming studies in Great Britain are the fields of study chosen not only by computer games enthusiasts. This is a great future for artists who find themselves comfortable in the “digital” world.
It seems a long time ago that the first desktop computers were introduced to the market – large, desk sized machines, which were considered small, since their predecessors had taken up a whole room! In fact, personal home computers were only launched in 1977, although they are now as much a part of our lives as beds and kitchen sinks. The astonishing spread of technology has led to the growth of university computer science courses, and as the IT industry develops and accelerates, so new courses have been designed to cope with mass demand. Among them is, of course, gaming, the favourite pastime of so many young (and not so young) gamers.
Why not consider applying for a degree in computer science and gaming at a British university?
There are numerous variations, which include courses such as :
- Computer Science and Games Technology
- Computer Science for Games
- Computer Science and Game Development,
- Animation, Game Design and Development
- and Graphics, Animation and Gaming.
What these courses have in common is the mixture of lectures, practical and laboratory work they offer students. You will be able to focus on the modules which most interest you and fit in with your career plans, and decide whether you want to develop your creative or your more technical abilities and skills.
What are the entry requirements?
This depends on the university, but you should aim for 28-37 points in the IB and, if applicable, an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 in each section. Admissions departments usually expect applicants to have passed mathematics, and two science subjects in their secondary school leaving exams.
Will I be able to find a computer science course or a gaming course in Clearing?
Yes, you will. There are over 2000 computer science courses taught at UK universities, so there are bound to be places on offer in Clearing.
What subjects do the courses cover?
- programming languages
- network design and engineering
- 3D modelling
- stop motion animation and graphics
- hardware architecture
- software engineering
- bioinformation
- numerical analysis
- multimedia design
- AI and virtual reality
- graphics and image processing….to name but a selection of what is on offer.
As you can see from the above list, you will gain a solid foundation in computer science and problem solving, and learn the tools you need to express your creativity. Certain universities, such as Manchester Metropolitan, Newcastle, Brunel and City University, London, can arrange for a one-year industry placement, either in the public or private sector. Placement students will get hands-on experience working on projects in a supportive environment, and undertake professional industry work, which could include tasks such as developing web applications, testing software or analysing businesses. This will significantly improve your CV, give you valuable industry experience and make you more attractive to future employers.
Which are the most popular universities in the UK to study computer science?
- St Andrews
- Imperial College, London
- Bath
- Loughborough
- Surrey
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- Swansea
- Manchester
Where can I study a gaming course?
Bath Spa University and Anglia Ruskin teach five gaming courses. In addition, the University of Staffordshire offers a gaming course which is sponsored by Epic Games, and gives students access to a Rare motion capture laboratory , as well as regularly inviting industry professionals to come and lecture and see students’ projects. Staffordshire’s course is also accredited by TIGA, the Independent Games Developers’ Association .Brighton University has a end of year computing degree show where you can exhibit your work and hopefully attract the attention of industry specialists, and Manchester Metropolitan focusses on mobile and social gaming .
In the end, the choice of course depends on whether you have a clear idea of your future career aspirations. If you are thinking of becoming a systems analyst or web designer, you might want a more technically-biased course, and choose computer science, with the possibility of doing modules on gaming. If, however, you know that your passion is for gaming and creating new landscapes based on virtual reality and stunning graphics, you must follow your dream and check course content carefully to see if it covers everything you are looking for.
Of course, you could always just contact Elab and let one of our experienced consultants help you wade through the 200 universities and 2200 plus courses in the UK which offer a variation on computer science and gaming. Call us and let us put our heads together!
What jobs are open to graduates in computer science?
The short answer is many…
- Games designer / developer
- Cyber security analyst
- Forensic computer analyst
- App developer
- IT consultant
- Web designer/ developer
- Software engineer
- Global technician
As the IT industry continues to expand, the roles, possibilities and need to find technically qualified individuals will grow too. Studying computer science will open many doors and lead to a wide range of exciting possibilities in every industry.
Get in touch with Elab and let us work together to find the right course and university , and start your application for computer science – and gaming.
