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Computer Science (Game Engineering) BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: G450
  • Full time
  • 3 years

This degree provides a firm foundation in the fascinating field of game engineering.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £26400

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

You study a broad curriculum in your first two years, developing knowledge in different aspects of computing science, and gaining skills in problem solving, program design and implementation.

In your third year, you move onto specialist topics in game engineering, developing skills and knowledge for your future career.

Your modules focus on the design, development and implementation of software that drives computer games, and include:

  • gaming simulations
  • computer game development

About Game Engineering

Our degrees in Game Engineering focus on the design, development and implementation of software that drives computer games (rather than the artistic element of game development).

They enable you to design, develop and implement computer graphics software and applications on a variety of architectures including game consoles, graphic workstations and advanced 3D reality environments.

They also allow you to exploit such software and hardware in entertainment, engineering, design and scientific visualisation.

The North East of England is a hub for games development, making it an exciting place to kick-start your career in the industry.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

At Newcastle, all Computer Science students study the same modules for the first two years, before specialising in the later years. This gives you time to explore the subject and decide which area you want to specialise in. It means you can also transfer between our degrees up to the end of Stage 2.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll learn the fundamentals of computer science, with an emphasis on developing your skills in program design and implementation. You'll gain experience in Java programming and develop a broad view of hardware and software architectures.

You'll develop an appreciation of what it is to be a professional working in the IT industry and develop your problem-solving skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Fundamentals of Computing 20
Computer Systems Design and Architectures 20
Foundations of Data Science 20
Programming Portfolio 1 30
Programming Portfolio 2 30

You'll study modules in software engineering, algorithm design and the fundamental principles that govern the operation of the internet.

We'll introduce you to requirements analysis and databases, and the formal specification of software systems.

You'll also work in a team to engineer a substantial software product, developing practical teamworking skills.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Security and Programming Paradigms 20
Algorithm Design and Analysis 10
Software Engineering Team Project 30
Introducing Contemporary Topics in Computing 30
Software Systems Design and Implementation 30

You'll study specialist topics such as computer games programming, graphical representation, and the latest artificial intelligence techniques involved in making the gaming experience as realistic as possible, for example, making sure cars corner as they would in real life.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Major Project and Dissertation in Computer Science 60
Graphics for Games 10
Gaming Technologies and Simulations 20
Optional Modules Credits
Distributed Systems 10
Science of Computing 20
Introduction to BioDesign and Natural Computing 20
Biomedical Data Analytics and AI 20
Cryptography 10
System and Network Security 20
Fault Tolerant and Cyber-Physical Systems 20
Human Computer Interaction: Interaction Design 20
Predictive Analytics, Computer Vision & AI 20
Data Visualization and Visual Analytics 10
Career Development for final year students 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include:

  • lectures – including guest lectures by visiting IT professionals
  • tutorials – from our expert staff
  • supervised practical work – which accounts for a significant amount of your time
  • project work – to help you develop real-world business skills such as teamworking and project management

Project work includes a team project in Stage 2 to develop a substantial software product, and a major individual project in Stage 3.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Coursework

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Group work

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

  • Projects

Skills and experience

Business skills

In addition to your academic work, employers look for evidence of skills and experience. Our degrees have been created with industry need in mind.

In Stage 2, you will gain a realistic preview into industry life, being taught in a team environment with real-life industry briefs. You will pick a problem – identified by industry – and develop a project to find a solution. The projects are marked by industry representatives, lecturers and the project sponsor.

Chat to a student

The lecturers are passionate about their specialist areas, making the whole university experience thought-provoking and interesting.

Alex, Computer Science student

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You will be part of the School of Computing, based in the Urban Sciences Building on our Newcastle Helix area of campus.

Our brand new £58m building offers great facilities for our students, including:

  • cyber-physical systems laboratory
  • decision theatre for data visualisation
  • flat floor teaching facilities
  • 315 PCs with a Raspberry Pi3 on every desk

The building and its surrounding area is becoming a living laboratory, underpinning research to make urban centres more sustainable for future generations. Research at Newcastle Helix focusses on:

  • cyber-physical systems
  • infrastructure
  • smart grids
  • future of our city
  • big data

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Employability at Newcastle

97% of our Computer Science graduates are in graduate-level jobs or in further study within fifteen months of graduation*.

*Guardian University league tables 2021

Preparing you for career success

In the present job market, computing science graduates are better placed than many others to obtain employment in a challenging and fulfilling career, and the employability of Newcastle graduates is particularly high.

An increasing number of employers require digital skills, meaning our graduates are highly sought after. They move into bespoke software development roles in software houses and computer manufacturers and also into corporate organisations that use computers on a larger scale, such as banking, insurance and manufacturing companies and public sector institutions.

Benefit from strong industry links

As a hub for games development, the North East of England is an exciting place to kick-start your career and you'll benefit from strong links with companies such as:

  • Epic (Fortnite)
  • Activision (Call of Duty)
  • Ubisoft (Assassins Creed)
  • Rockstar North (Grand Theft Auto)
  • TT Games (Lego Star Wars)
  • Creative Assembly (Total War)
  • NVidia (Graphics cards)
  • Sony (Horizon)
  • Microsoft Playground Games (Forza)
  • Microsoft Ninja Theory (Devil May Cry)
  • Rebellion (Judge Dredd)

Local businesses often approach the School to advertise small, part-time or voluntary work opportunities, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience.

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Careers support

Our degree programmes have been developed to ensure that you are gaining the transferable skills that employers like to see alongside your academic study. You will benefit from guest lectures from industry professionals, mock interviews and professional skills workshops.

The school annually hosts a week of intensive employability events. These have included:

  • hackathon workshops
  • placement discussions
  • coding and enterprise challenges
  • employer talks
  • networking events

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

26400

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

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