Computer Games Programming MSci/BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Develop advanced programming, game engine and real-time computing skills through hands-on projects, industry collaboration and modern technologies, preparing you for roles in the game and software industries.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
MSci:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

G454 / G455

Start date

September 2026
November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027


Course overview

Ideal for aspiring programmers who are passionate about games and want to build them from the ground up. Gain hands-on experience in designing, coding and optimising interactive experiences across multiple platforms, while learning how to use commercial game engines and apply computational problem-solving techniques. With a focus on real-time programming, artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing, you will have the opportunity to develop advanced technical skills and prepare for roles in the games industry and related technology sectors.

  • Develop and extend game engines, mastering real-time graphics, AI and optimisation.
  • Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as Unity and Unreal.
  • Build a strong personal portfolio through both individual projects and collaborative projects with designers and artists.2
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

  • Portfolio development built into the course: every project and assignment contributes to your professional portfolio, ensuring you graduate with demonstrable work that showcases your technical and creative abilities.
  • Hands-on learning: gain practical experience in programming, game engine usage and game optimisation through structured labs, group projects, and assessed industry-based assignments that are a core part of the course.
  • Access to industry-standard tools and facilities: as part of your learning, you’ll work directly with technologies such as Unreal Engine and Unity, with access to VR suites and high-performance computing labs.4
  • Integrated Master of Science (MSci): you can join the MSci in two ways:
    • Direct entry: apply straight onto the MSci if you meet the higher entry requirements.
    • Transfer during your studies: if you start on the BSc and achieve strong results, you may be able to transfer onto the MSci later in your course. This flexibility means you could progress to the full master’s level qualification (subject to meeting progression requirements) while paying undergraduate fees.
  • Optional career-enhancing experiences: beyond the taught curriculum, you may have opportunities to take part in game jams, networking events, and internships, which can further expand your professional experience and connections.2

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Animation BA (Hons)
  • Computer Games Programming MSci/BSc (Hons)
  • Digital Media BA (Hons)
  • Games Art BA (Hons)
  • Games Design and Development BA (Hons)

Modules

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

Modules

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • presentations
  • group projects
  • workshops
  • practical studio sessions
  • practical lab sessions.

Throughout your course, you may have the opportunity to attend hackathons and game jams, where you can showcase your skills and collaborate under time pressure (optional, subject to availability).


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • game development projects – showcasing programming and design skills
  • technical reports and presentations - communicating complex ideas effectively
  • industry-based mock assignments – addressing real-world challenges in game development.
  • group work for presentations, lab projects and reports
  • individual presentations
  • online tests
  • essays and critical reviews of scientific topics
  • case studies
  • posters and other information resources (e.g. videos, websites, briefing papers).

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points BSc (Hons): 120
MSci: 128
A level BSc (Hons): BBB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies
MSci: ABB to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies
GCSE BSc (Hons): GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
MSci: GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC BSc (Hons): DMM in IT or a technical subject
MSci: DDM in IT or a technical subject
IB Diploma BSc (Hons): 29 points to include either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level
MSci: 31 points to include either Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level
Access to HE BSc (Hons): The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above
MSci: The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits all at merit or above in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation pathway. Upon successful completion this should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year
Not available
EU 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.

  • The Game Lab
    High-specification PC lab where the majority of your lectures and laboratories will be delivered. Additionally, you can access these machines outside of class to pursue development projects.
  • The High-Performance Lab
    HPC developer-spec’d machines to encourage students to explore more advanced and demanding software engineering challenges.
  • Motion-Capture Studio
    A bespoke facility complete with green-screen, control room and lighting rig, empowering students to explore advanced human-computer interaction and simulation technologies.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successfully graduating this course, you may wish to engage with the technical and engineering aspects of the broader video and computer games industry. This may include working for large studios as part of a team of developers, focused on coding the software which underpins modern games.

Alternatively, you may wish to participate in the expanding application of game engine technologies to alternative sectors, such as the automotive, media, architectural and military industries. As such, you could leverage the skills taught by the course to repurpose and extend existing games technologies to suit the requirements of these sectors.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for a range of companies, these include:

  • Pixel Toys
  • Codemasters
  • Sumo Digital
  • Playground Games
  • Cloud Imperium Games
  • Rare Ltd
  • Unity Technologies
  • Criterion Games.
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