Undergraduate Course

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years (4 years with a placement year)

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

112-120 (September 2024 entry)120 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

I610

Start date

September

Location

Derby Campus

If you do not achieve the typical entry points required, you may want to consider studying this course with foundation year.

View with foundation year optionView with foundation year option

The best bits

  • Spend the first year learning the fundamentals of computer science and finding out what your passions are and where your talents lie
  • Learn in our state-of-the-art-facilities including our XR (cross-reality) lab
  • Gain both the theoretical knowledge and the practical skills you need to develop first-rate games
  • Choose to take an optional industrial placement year which will add substance to your CV and broaden your professional networks
  • Benefit from the flexibility of transferring to another course in our Computing portfolio after your first year
  • You won’t have any written exams as all assessment is through coursework
Top15for satisfaction with teachingThe Guardian University Guide 2024 - Animation and Game Design subject area
Top20for satisfaction with feedbackThe Guardian University Guide 2024 - Animation and Game Design subject area
Top20for academic supportNational Student Survey 2024 - Computer Games and Animation subject area

An impressive portfolio of skills

On this dynamic course you’ll be equipped with both the theoretical grounding and the practical skills you need to develop compelling computer games. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of computer science, the theoretical field that underpins all software development. This knowledge prepares you for long-term employability and success as a computer programmer of any kind but applies in particular to the breadth and complexity of computer games development. 

You will study computer science with a strong emphasis on the practical programming skills needed for games development.  

In your final year, you'll get to work with students on the BA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation degree to create a game. The games are then exhibited as part of our Games Expo where there public will get to try out your creation. You’ll also meet and hear from industry professionals. Previous attendees have included Sumo Digital, Mediatonic and Bloc Digital. 

Students talking at the Games Expo

View Games Expo video transcript

Pursue your personal interests

Through the Independent Studies module, we give you the chance to tailor your studies to match your professional interests and career ambitions. You will develop a large-scale project or conduct a research study into an area of your choice. Previous topics explored by our students include point based rendering, procedural generation of realistic game levels and multi-level AI for elastic difficulty scaling. 

Benefit from flexibility

You’ll gain fundamental knowledge in your first year studying modules alongside students on our other Computing degrees. At the end of your first year, you’ll then have the option to transfer to one of the following courses: 

You’ll go on to study more specialist modules in your second year with further options to tailor your studies to an area of your interest in your final year. 

Facilities

You’ll get to use cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. Facilities include:

A student using a VR head set in the XR lab
Students working the Computer Networks Lab
Computing code reflected on students faces

Linking up with businesses

We’re proud of our connections with local and international industries. Our course has been designed in close collaboration with them and professional bodies to ensure it meets the needs of employers. 

Undertaking a placement year will give you substantial experience to understand the possible careers open to you. Plus you’ll build your confidence and improve success and progression in jobs or in starting a business. Our students have enjoyed placements at companies such as Kuju, Frontier Developments and Sumo Digital. 

A students hands working on a computer

Kriss lands dream job with local games company

After completing his degree in Computer Games Programming, Kriss secured a job as a Junior Programmer at local games company Bulkhead Interactive.

Read storyRead story

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Your lectures will be intentionally interactive, incorporating questions and answers and simulation. Seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to develop understanding and its application in both familiar and unfamiliar circumstances. Practical sessions will give you the chance to develop your skills in both equipment use and the evaluation of experimental procedures and data. In your third year you’ll take an Individual Project module where you’ll be encouraged to use and apply research and innovation tools and approached in a practical context. Team working will also allow you to develop interpersonal and communication skills – an important skill for the workplace. 

How you will be assessed

A variety of assessment methods are used. Some modules are assessed through coursework only, others by a combination of coursework, portfolios, assignments, case studies, oral and graphic presentations, collaborative and interdisciplinary teamwork projects, computer testing and examinations, so providing a flexible and effective means of assessing your progress. 

Personal academic tutoring

Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112-120
A LevelBBB-BBC
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points120
A LevelBBB
T LevelMerit
BTECDDM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Skilled games programmers will discover a wide variety of career opportunities everywhere from small start-up companies to major multinational organisations. This course represents the ideal preparation for roles such as gameplay programmer, tools developer and AI programmer. You might even want to start your own company after graduating. 

Because the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming has such a solid computing and software engineering focus, it also opens up excellent prospects for our graduates across all software development roles in the computing industry. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Contact us

EnquiryEmailPhone
Chris Windmill c.windmill@derby.ac.uk +44 (0)1332 592962

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

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