Digital Games Development

Digital games development is the technical discipline concerned with building the software systems that power interactive digital games. It encompasses programming, game engine architecture, real-time graphics, physics simulation, artificial intelligence, audio programming, networking and the production workflows through which complex games are brought from concept to release. As the games industry has grown into one of the world's largest entertainment sectors, the demand for technically skilled developers who understand both the science of computation and the particular demands of interactive real-time systems has become consistently high.

At Brighton, this three-year programme develops your programming and technical skills through hands-on project work, with games development tools and methodologies at the centre of the curriculum. You will study programming languages, algorithms and data structures, game engine development, 3D graphics programming, AI for games, audio systems, game physics, testing and quality assurance, and the production management approaches that studio development requires. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you direct experience in a games studio or development environment that builds your portfolio and professional network alongside your technical skills.

The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

Graduates work as games programmers, engine developers, AI engineers, graphics programmers, tools developers, audio programmers and technical artists in studios ranging from independent developers to major international publishers. The technical skills developed in games programming are also applicable in simulation, visual effects, virtual reality, defence technology and other industries where real-time interactive systems are built. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in games development, computer science or advanced graphics.