Course summary

This course is one of the first of its kind in the UK and has a graduate employment rate of 97%. It prepares you for careers as software architects, project managers or software developers. You may also operate as a software consultant or do further research. In collaboration with a number of high profile industrial leaders and computer game innovators, we have created an advanced course producing graduates with the potential to become future leaders in the global computer games industry. The course is for honours graduates in computing science or a discipline with significant computing and/or mathematical content, such as computing, information systems, mathematics, engineering, systems engineering or physics. You will benefit from: •an industrial advisory board made up from high profile UK games companies •industrial placements at leading game studios •industry-sponsored prizes each year in categories such as Best Team, Best Project and Best Student •a technical focus on game engineering. Newcastle has a first class record of research related to the development of computer game technologies and 97% of our graduates are in employment following graduation. Our graduates have gone on to work as programmers for a wide range of companies including: •Ubisoft Reflections •Fluid Pixel •Nosebleed Interactive. The staff delivering this course have international reputations for their contributions to the fields of online gaming, graphics and simulation, artificial intelligence, programming and human computer interaction. You will be encouraged to play a full part in the life of the School, participating in seminars delivered by distinguished external speakers. The experienced and helpful staff at Newcastle will be happy to offer support with all aspects of your course from admissions to graduation and developing your career beyond. Delivery: The course is available over one year full time, leading to an MSc award. We will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to develop computer game software. We will also provide an international perspective on advancements in computer game development. There are three phases in the course. Phase one (60 credits) consists of 20 hours per week of lectures. We will introduce core knowledge and skills through modules in: •programming •graphics •game technologies. You will also undertake a substantial amount of supervised and unsupervised practical work. During phase two (30 credits), we emphasise the practice of computer game development through modules in: •research methods for gaming innovations •entrepreneurial skills for the game industry •the development and assessment of an actual computer game (team exercise). Phase three (90 credits) is the individual system development or research project. Project work: The course culminates in a Project and Dissertation in Computer Game Engineering. This five month project gives you a real opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. You will also gain work experience in a research or development team. You can carry out your project in: •one of the research groups at Newcastle University •an industry laboratory •your place of work. You will enjoy one-to-one supervision from an experienced member of staff. You will also be supported by supervision from industry partners as required. For your project you may collaborate with developers in the game industry who make up the course's industrial advisory board. Placements: Members of our industry advisory group help to ensure that the course is relevant to the needs of business and industry today. You will have a unique opportunity to complete work placement with our industrial partners as part of your individual project. Previous students have found placements with organisations including: •Ubisoft Reflections •Eutechnyx •Tag Games •Nosebleed Interactive •CCP Games •Whispering Gibbon •Pitbull Studios •Fluid Pixel •Sumo Digital •Thumbstar.