University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash

University degree

Computer Science

University of Plymouth

Qualification

Degree

Length

3 yrs

UK fees / yr

£9,535

Study

full-time

Worth knowing: about 30% of students don't make it past first year here - ask the uni what support they offer.

Robin · your guide

Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.

About this course

Computer science for games development sits at the intersection of software engineering and interactive media, addressing the technical challenges that underpin the creation of games: real-time graphics, physics simulation, artificial intelligence for game characters, network programming for multiplayer systems, and the tools and pipelines that allow large teams to build complex interactive worlds. It is a technically demanding discipline that requires strong programming skills, mathematical understanding and the ability to solve performance-critical problems under creative constraints.

At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, a sandwich year in professional placement, a year abroad and a work placement, making it one of the most comprehensively structured routes through the subject. You will study the core computer science fundamentals, including algorithms, data structures, software engineering and systems programming, while also developing specialist knowledge in areas such as graphics programming, games engines, physics simulation and artificial intelligence. The sandwich placement year provides hands-on industry experience that gives you a significant advantage when entering the job market, allowing you to work on real projects and build professional networks while still a student.

Graduates from games-focused computer science programmes enter a wide range of roles, not only in the games industry itself but across the broader technology sector. Games development roles include programmer, graphics engineer, tools developer, technical artist and AI programmer. The strong technical foundations of the degree also prepare graduates for roles in simulation, visual effects, software engineering, fintech, defence and the wider digital industries.

Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in computer science, games development, artificial intelligence or human-computer interaction, and the field continues to grow as games become one of the world's largest entertainment industries.

Could you get in?

The grades students arrived with

80-95 pts5%

96-111 pts30%

112-127 pts30%

128-143 pts10%

144-159 pts15%

160-175 pts5%

How they qualified

85% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:

A-levels85%

other higher education15%

no formal qualifications5%

Could I get in? Try your grades

120 UCAS pts

Pay & prospects

80%

In work or further study after

70%

Continue past first year

65%

Student satisfaction

What graduates earn over time

£30,000

After 15 months

£28,000

3 years on

£38,000

5 years on

What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers

Information Technology ProfessionalsHighly skilled60%

Caring personal services5%

Managers, directors and senior officialsHighly skilled10%

Sales occupations5%

Elementary occupations5%

Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsHighly skilled5%

Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsHighly skilled5%

Artistic, literary and media occupationsHighly skilled5%

What students say National Student Survey

65%

of students are satisfied with the course overall

Teaching50%

Assessment & feedback65%

Academic support67%

Well organised50%

Learning resources72%

Student community71%

In students' own words

★★★★★

Exceeded expectations

I've grown so much academically and personally here. The best part: the course strikes a good balance between theory and practical application. If I'm honest, accommodation allocation was stressful in the first year. On the city — the city …

Third year · Part-time

★★★★★

Genuinely worthwhile

I've grown so much academically and personally here. The best part: coursework pushes you to actually build real systems, not just write essays. If I'm honest, first-year classes can be quite large. On the city — good transport links make i…

Final year · Full-time

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