Computer Science for Games with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

• Build practical experience in writing software to create computer games.
• Study the hardware-level optimisations used in modern games.
• Learn how to write the libraries and tools used to develop games.
• Understand how to apply maths in 2D and 3D game development.
• Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start

You’ll gain a deep understanding of C/C programming for game development processes and technologies – including rendering and optimisation techniques – using current gaming hardware. You’ll also put together a commercial-quality portfolio of computer game work during the course, suitable to show potential employers.

How you learn

The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Computer Science for Games course. You share the first year with other computing foundation year students, then move on to the degree. During the first year of study, you will enhance your skills to maximise your academic potential ready to start your learning against the content of the main degree.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course is carefully structured to help you develop your skills and experience for a career in game development – with the deeper level of knowledge you’ll need to create the tools used by game creators. One of the key ways you’ll learn is through a project-based approach, encouraging you to develop your skills while tackling meaningful and relevant projects.

We begin by providing you with game development techniques such as programming in C and manipulating 2D and 3D graphics using mathematics. In your second year you’ll apply your learning to solve the kinds of problems game developers face. Here you’ll apply your C programming skills and learn about rendering techniques, multithreading, memory management and assembly optimisation. You’ll also work with our PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 development kits as you develop your own substantial game products.

In your final year you’ll explore more advanced game development techniques such as shader programming, as well as refining the skills you’ve already developed. Importantly, you’ll develop skills in critical thinking so you can successfully reflect on your own work and appraise other people’s. This will give you the ability to evaluate your own progress and determine your own career goals.

You learn through

• group work
• lectures and seminars
• technical workshops in computer labs
• independent learning
• practice-based learning and group work

You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through several key areas. These include:

• access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
• access to our Skills Centre with one to ones and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities.

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long work placement between your third and fourth year. A placement is widely recognised as the gold standard opportunity to gain personal and professional development through real-world experience.