HA4 Task 4 Progression – Higher Education

Task 4

Progression – Higher Education

Use the UCAS site to familiarise yourself with the process of choosing and applying for higher education courses. You can also find out about the financial aspects of studying at university. Do not register at this stage. You may also want to look at the Skillset accredited courses for games in addition to company websites. But remember that you have a wide range of options and do not have to stay within the field of games design.

Create a shortlist of five courses that you would consider attending and include a short profile on each, type of course, duration, entry requirements, overview etc.

You are aiming to prepare personal career development material to a quality that reflects near professional standards consistently using correct formal language.

Games design and development At Manchester metropolitan University
"This degree combines web technology and application development with the development of highly valued creative skills in design and games design. The degree is accredited by the British Computing Society, the chartered professional body for IT. Successful completion allows you to gain Chartered IT Professional status and become a graduate member of the BCS. Our digital technology and multimedia facilities are second to none: you will have full access to our purpose-built multimedia studio with HD cameras, vision mixing, full recording kit and audio, broadcast and CGI post production equipment. We also have a computer usability lab which captures and analyses human behaviour as we interact with computers, websites, gadgets and video games. Our computing laboratories are state-of-the-art and include dedicated Appled Mac suites and specialist, industry-standard software. You will develop your project management and digital media production/web/games development skills which will prove invaluable for a variety of employment contexts. The four year sandwich route gives you the opportunity to spend your third year on industrial placement boosting your employment prospects on graduation. You will experience what it's like to work as part of a professional team finding solutions to complex problems via group projects. You can also get involved with extracurricular work to further apply your skills, for example, gaming events and the student computing society. Many of our computing and digital technology degrees share a common first year allowing you to transfer between courses after Year 1, as you develop your areas of interest."

Entry Requirements 260 UCAS points and 

• BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) (Suite known as nationals)
• General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Information Technology. Science.
• Required grades:Grade Merit and grade Merit and grade Distinction.

Computer Science (Games) at the University of Brighton

"You will study programming, 3D modelling and a host of other topics relevant to the industry. You will also learn about games hardware and benefit from a work placement year that the university will help you arrange. Taught in Brighton, this course is accredited by the British Computer Society, the chartered institute for IT professionals."

Entry Requirements 300 UCAS points and 

"The BSc (Hons) Games Programming course uses C++, the principal programming language in the games industry, throughout all years of study. You will be taught programming (assuming no prior knowledge of programming), and the underlying principles of modern Object Orientated development to successfully build 2D and 3D games. In addition, to enable realistic behaviour and movement to be modelled, mathematics and physics are taught in a very practical way, for both 2D and 3D game environments. Also, modern games use Artificial Intelligence, (AI), techniques within them, and as such, you will also be taught a number of AI techniques for use in games development. You will be taught through lectures, seminars and tutorials and a great deal of the teaching enables the underlying theory to be practically applied within student created programs."

Entry Requirements: 260 UCAS points and Applicants will need at least two A2-levels (or equivalent) including at least one relevant subject (eg AS/A2 mathematics or computing or BTEC National in computing or games).

• BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) (Suite known as nationals)
• Required grades:Grade Merit and grade Distinction and grade Distinction.

Games Design at Bolton University

"The University of Bolton was one of the first in the country to offer games-based courses and our experience covers games programming, games design and games art. We have over 11 years experience in the delivery of dedicated games courses. We have a large number of staff who are passionate about games and dedicated to teaching the subject. Our team includes a balance of academic and industrial experience. Members of the team have worked in AAA studios, have run their own studios, have authored books and are conducting international-facing research. Our facilities include dedicated games labs including quad processor PCs installed with current games development environments, state-of-the-art 3D graphics cards, XBOX 360s and Playstation 3s ensuring you have access to the tools you need to create a high quality portfolio of work ready to impress potential employers. Our games design course complements our other games programmes and you will benefit from working alongside our more technical and artistic students."

Entry Requirements 260 UCAS points

Interactive Systems and Video Games Design at the university of Bradford

"Following a more technical path, this course includes an introduction to programming, the use of scripting tools and technical animation, and optional modules in artificial intelligence and other specialist topics. This route also allows for project work to be undertaken across a range of platforms and formats including content for mobile devices, casual games, and serious games and simulations. We have a unique partnership with the National Media Museum home to the Bradford Animation Festival."

Entry Requirements: 280 UCAS points and GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C.