Computer Games Programming and Design with Placement

Southampton, Solent University

Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Full-time with year in industry 4 Years Computer games and animation

Computer Games Programming and Design with Placement BSc (Hons) is an undergraduate degree at Southampton, Solent University, based in Southampton, taught full-time with year in industry over 4 years. Graduates earn £27,000 on average 15 months after finishing. Typical A-level entry is See entry requirements.

A-Level Entry

See entry requirements

Typical offer · UCAS

UCAS Points

104 - 120 points

Typical offer · UCAS

Avg. Graduate Salary

£27,000

15 months after graduation · HESA via Discover Uni

About this course

The BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming and Design is a creative Computer Games course with an emphasis on technical expertise (programming) as well as the game design skills required by programmers to write their own video games.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

This course has three main pillars:

• Programming Skills
• Game Design Skills
• Studio Skills

For the first one, you will be writing code for video game prototypes, demos and digital products using established game engines as well as graphics libraries.

For the second one, you will also study design skills such as level design, narrative or user experience.

For the third one, you will experience collaborative learning through our in-house simulated studio environments that replicate the games industry.

While the Studio Skills learning pillar is critical for either discipline (Programming or Games Design), you are also able through multiple optional modules across the course to tailor your learning experience towards being more "Programming" or "Game Design" focused, giving more depth and customization of the course experience.
On top of that, further customization may be offered in the ways certain modules are assessed. While they may appear as a "Core" module, some may offer multiple "assessment streams" within the same assessment briefs, allowing you to hit the learning outcomes in multiple ways, depending on your own preferences.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE LEAD TO?

Graduates will be able to seek employment in Computer Games through various pathways, always depending on their tailored course experience, picked modules and assessment preferences.

For those with more "Programming" focused experience, these are the possible jobs:

• Gameplay Programmers
• AI Programmers
• User Interface Programmers
• Physics Programmers
• Graphics Programmers
• Animation Programmers
• Network Programmers
• Engine/Tools Programmers
• Unity / Unreal Engine Developers

Some of the programming skills are also transferrable in careers beyond Games Programming:

• Software Engineers
• Information Systems Professionals
• Web Developers
• Computer Scientists
• Mobile Developers
• XR/AR/VR Developers

While for those with more "Game Design" experience, here are the possible jobs:

• Level Designers
• User Experience Designers
• Games User Researchers (GUR Experts)
• UI Designers
• Narrative Designers
• Game Writers
• Gameplay Designers

Regardless of the course experience, students who favor either discipline will enjoy potential future careers:

• Indie Game Developers
• Producers
• Technical Trainers
• Teaching Professionals / Academics
• Researchers

Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff Points 104 - 120 points
BTEC DMM

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations. Click through for salaries, employment rates and other UK degrees that lead there:

Related Courses

Course Details

Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Study Mode
Full-time with year in industry
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
2025

2025-entry data — 2026 offers may differ

Academic Year
2025
Campus / Location
Southampton
Scheme
Undergraduate
Subjects
Computer games and animation
Avg. Graduate Salary
£27,000