Games Programming

Games programming is the technical discipline at the heart of the video games industry, concerned with writing the code that makes games work. Games programmers build the engines, artificial intelligence systems, physics simulations, graphics pipelines, networking code, and tools that allow game designers and artists to create the experiences that players enjoy. It is a technically demanding field that requires a strong foundation in computer science alongside a deep understanding of how game systems are architected and optimised to perform reliably across a range of hardware platforms.

At Goldsmiths' College, this three-year full-time programme benefits from Goldsmiths' distinctive approach to computing, which combines technical rigour with creative ambition and a culture of innovation and experimentation. Goldsmiths has a strong reputation in digital arts and creative computing, and games programming here is taught in an environment where the relationship between technology and creativity is taken seriously. You will develop expertise in programming languages used in game development, game engine architecture, computer graphics, AI for games, physics engines, and tools programming, working on real game projects that allow you to build a professional portfolio.

The degree includes a sandwich placement year and a work placement, giving you professional experience in a games studio or technology company alongside your academic study.

Graduates from games programming go on to work as programmers, engine developers, tools engineers, AI programmers, and technical directors in games studios of all sizes, from small independent developers to major console and PC publishers. The programming skills the degree develops are also highly transferable, with games programmers finding roles in virtual reality, simulation, film and television visual effects, and the technology industry more broadly. Some graduates go on to postgraduate study in computer science, human-computer interaction, or games technology, while others move directly into the games industry equipped with the technical skills and portfolio that studios require.