Computer Games Programming MSci/BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Undergraduate

Two students in a classroom working on a laptop screen

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

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

G4DF

Start date

September 2026
November 2026

How to apply

Your UCAS Guide

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BSc option.

Foundation year

This course covers professional and academic skills and will introduce you to the fundamentals of hardware, workshop, software and the internet. You will also be supported in developing a range of transferable skills in areas including research, project and laboratory skills, academic writing and communication.

Degree

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

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
Provides a grounding in key areas of digital technologies.

Degree

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 BSci 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

Concept Development, Prototyping and Design – 30 credits

In this module, you will work collaboratively in a team to develop an engaging concept into a minimum viable product prototype for exhibition and promotion. You will explore concept development and prototyping in animation, games, film and digital media. You will refine ideas through prototypes, engage with audiences and build on your ability to communicate your creative practice.

You should learn to:

articulate intentions through a range of creative outcomes in creative technologies
record and reflect on project experiences and activities in the development of personal practice
reflect interpersonal skills and capabilities when engaging with stakeholders, project negotiation and development.

Compulsory

Hack Lab and Creative Play – 30 credits

Experiment, play and hack your way through exciting projects designed to help you develop skills in creative technologies across games, animation, digital media and more. This module explores experimental approaches to design and development, allowing you to understand creative play as a methodology. You will work in interdisciplinary teams to develop prototype projects using rapid prototyping.

You should learn to:

apply problem-solving capabilities to define, develop and refine creative ideas
recognise and respond creatively to real-world challenges within creative technologies
engage with creative thinking techniques and experimental processes to develop personal understanding and practice.

Compulsory

Interactive Narratives and Immersive Experiences – 30 credits

Create engaging virtual worlds, tell epic stories and immerse your audiences in experiences using new and emerging technologies. This module expands your understanding of how games, film and animation engage audiences in interactive narratives and immersive experiences. You will respond to a creative brief, applying your discipline knowledge within the evolving context of the broader creative industries.

You should learn to:

identify how cultural and contextual factors influence project opportunities and outcomes
select and curate information to support the conceptualisation and refinement of audience-specific creative outcomes in creative technologies
engage with emerging debates, information and observations to inform personal responses and directions.

Compulsory

Skills Lab – 30 credits

Every hero needs a unique set of skills, and Skills Lab helps you develop your skill set across creative technologies. Explore areas like 2D and 3D design, creative concepts and programming. This module aims to position you as a creator, building your skills in the development of relevant creative artefacts such as games, animated film, and experimental and digital art installations. Refine processes and techniques relevant to your discipline to shape your own skills development.

You should learn to:

develop ideas and practical solutions through specialist making techniques and processes in creative technologies
respond to practical challenges and reflect on their relative value in the context of your developing professional/codes of practice
reflect on and refine ongoing project work to embrace personal interests and recognise potential career aspirations.

Compulsory

Modules

Artificial Intelligence for Game Development – 30 credits

Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) makes enemies smarter, allies more believable and NPCs feel alive. Learn the core AI techniques used in commercial game engines and how to design characters that are fun and challenging to play against.

Explore pathfinding, decision-making systems and state machines, before moving into advanced methods like fuzzy logic, Markov models and even machine learning. By the end of this module, you should know how to use AI to bring characters to life in a way that feels dynamic, efficient and realistic.

Compulsory

Graphics and Physics Programming for Game Development – 30 credits

Modern players expect games to feel alive, with smooth movement, realistic interactions and stunning visuals. Discover how to draw objects on screen, animate them with motion and ensure they respond naturally when they collide.

Dive into the maths, algorithms and programming techniques used in today’s games, exploring the graphics pipeline, shaders, lighting, shading and colour, along with texturing and matrix transformations that shape how objects look and move. Study physics engines, motion in games, collision detection and collision response, giving you the tools to build believable, interactive worlds.

Understand how to bring graphics and physics together to create immersive, dynamic game experiences.

Compulsory

Professional Development in Emerging Technologies – 30 credits

The games industry never stands still. With new tools, platforms and technologies constantly reshaping how games are made and played, developers need to be adaptable, collaborative and ready for change.

Explore how to integrate emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and new input systems into your projects. At the same time, develop professional skills in teamwork, project management, agile development and software engineering practices, mirroring how real studios work. Look at industry ethics, software testing and quality assurance, while learning how to polish game projects to a professional standard.

Through hands-on projects, sharpen your technical expertise and employability, discovering how to showcase your skills, meet industry expectations and prepare to shape the future of interactive entertainment.

Compulsory

Experimental Games Project – 30 credits

Extend your understanding of playful experimentation in game development by engaging in challenges with new and emerging technologies. This module encourages you to experiment with evolving technologies, apply iterative processes and develop creative outputs. Embrace change and challenge preconceptions in the games industry as you prepare to operate within an uncertain and evolving professional landscape.

You should learn to:

organise and apply problem-solving approaches to define, develop and refine creative ideas and outcomes in games
formulate discipline-relevant creative responses to real-world challenges
challenge ideas through experimental processes to extend personal understanding and practice.

Compulsory

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

UK Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

Modules

Advanced Graphics for Games – 30 credits

As gaming technology evolves, you’ll need to create realistic and visually impressive experiences that meet players’ high expectations. Explore advanced graphics concepts such as Physically Based Rendering (PBR) and procedural generation, applying them across the full digital content creation pipeline.

Develop skills in 3D modelling, designing props, environments and characters while following best practices for asset creation. Learn about rendering, understanding the differences between real-time in-engine workflows and pre-rendered approaches, and animation, bringing props and characters to life for dynamic gameplay.

Using game engines, import, combine, and optimise multiple asset types, applying PBR techniques to work with modern lighting and texturing systems. Explore procedural generation, learning how to automatically create assets and environments while evaluating their creative potential and limitations.

By the end of this module, you should have the skills to create and integrate advanced, optimised graphics that bring game worlds to life, meeting both technical challenges and the high expectations of modern players.

Compulsory

Network Programming for Game Development – 30 credits

Developing games for online and distributed play comes with unique technical challenges. Learn how to build both server and client software using a leading commercial game engine, gaining hands-on experience in creating scalable network architectures that handle issues like latency, server load and limited bandwidth.

Explore game security and cybersecurity, learning how to protect sensitive player data and defend against hacks, cheats and exploits. This will help you design games that are secure, stable and resistant to unauthorised activity.

Examine topics such as networking foundations, including distributed simulations, server vs. client architectures, latency, interpolation and predictive techniques like deduced reckoning. Focus on game security, learning defensive programming, identifying vulnerabilities, and using predictive models for anti-cheat measures. Explore cybersecurity principles, including data governance, cryptography, hashing and tools to safeguard modern online games.

By the end of this module, you should have the skills to design and implement high-performing, secure networked games, preparing you for the technical realities of online game development in today’s industry.

Compulsory

Advanced Game Technology Mobile and Engine Tools – 30 credits

The modern games industry is always changing, and developers need to adapt to new technologies and work across different platforms. Gain the technical and professional skills to meet these challenges, focusing on mobile game development and game engine extensions.

Learn how to design and optimise games for mobile platforms, tackling the constraints of low-powered devices, battery life and non-traditional interfaces. Explore the wider mobile ecosystem, including publishing, monetisation models, platform requirements and data privacy considerations.

Dive into game engine architecture, gaining experience in extending large codebases, integrating middleware and creating custom tools to streamline workflows. Through hands-on projects, build engine extensions, mobile applications and in-editor tools that reflect real industry practice.

By the end of this module, you should be able to create and optimise mobile games, extend game engines and design custom tools, giving you the skills needed for careers in game development, technical design, and software engineering.

Compulsory

Individual Project - 30 credits

The Individual Project is your chance to bring together everything you’ve learned during your degree in one substantial piece of work. You’ll have the opportunity to show your technical expertise, creativity and independence by tackling a real-world problem or area of interest within your discipline.

Develop valuable skills in research, project planning and professional practice, while demonstrating your ability to design, implement and evaluate a complete solution. This project is also a great opportunity to create a portfolio piece that showcases your abilities to future employers or for further study.

Compulsory

Modules

Technical Graphics - 30 credits

Learn how to create high-quality 3D visuals for games using advanced technical processes. Develop skills in shader programming, particle systems, and GPU-based effects to bring realistic and visually striking environments to life.

Explore the physics and mathematics behind visual effects, translating light, motion and mechanics into code, while learning to balance realism with artistic style to achieve compelling results. Gain an introduction to procedural and AI-driven techniques, giving you insight into how modern studios create complex worlds efficiently and the ethical debates surrounding these tools.

By the end of this module, you should be able to design and implement sophisticated graphics systems that push both performance and creativity in game development, covering topics such as physics-based effects, GPU shader programming, artistic visual design, procedural content generation and ethical considerations of AI-driven tools.

Compulsory

Game Engines - 30 credits

Go behind the scenes of game engines, exploring how their core systems, like animation, physics and rendering, work together. Learn how to design and implement these systems for performance, scalability and integration.

Through hands-on development, build your own game engine from the ground up using a low-level programming language. Work with modern APIs, apply advanced programming practices and manage large, complex codebases. Integrate third-party middleware, test performance, and optimise systems for efficiency.

By the end of this module, you should have the technical and practical expertise to understand, design and develop sophisticated game engines, giving you valuable skills for careers in game technology and software engineering.

Compulsory

Serious Games - 30 credits

Games aren’t just for entertainment, they can also teach, train and make a real difference in people’s lives. Gain an introduction to the field of serious games, where game design is used to create meaningful impact in areas like education, healthcare, training and social change.

Explore the theories, methods and technologies behind serious game design, learning how to create engaging and effective interactive experiences that go beyond fun. Through hands-on prototyping, user testing and critical reflection, gain the skills to design, build and evaluate serious games using commercial engines and emerging technologies such as VR and AR.

By the end of this module, you should know how to design serious games that are impactful and innovative, measure their success, and critically assess their role in solving real-world problems.

Compulsory

Going Cross-Platform: Console Game Development - 30 credits

Modern studios want their games to reach as many players as possible, which means making titles that run smoothly across multiple consoles and platforms. Gain advanced technical knowledge and hands-on skills to design and optimise high-performance, cross-platform games.

Learn how modern game engines work at their core, explore how consoles handle CPU/GPU interactions and use tools like shaders to harness the power of parallel computing. Along the way, develop the ability to optimise performance, debug efficiently and deliver a consistent gameplay experience across different platforms.

By the end of this module, you should understand the architectures, tools and best practices used in professional console game development and be ready to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Compulsory

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

Fundamental Pure Mathematics – 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments.

Concepts covered include basic algebraic properties, trigonometry, computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, an introduction to calculus including computation of limits derivatives and integrals. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Fundamental Applied Mathematics – 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills required to solve relevant problems while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. You should also be equipped to turn real-world problems into mathematical problems and present mathematical and logical arguments.

Concepts covered include computation of areas and volumes of basic shapes, complex numbers, application of matrices and determinant, application of vectors, application of differentiation and integration, and use of a computer software to solve a scientific problem. Upon successful completion of the module, you will have an awareness of many of the mathematical techniques required to tackle everyday problems in related disciplines.

Compulsory

Software and Databases – 30 credits

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of fundamental software engineering and data storage concepts. Upon successful completion of the module you will leave with experience of working with interconnected software systems and sufficient knowledge of databases and a programming language.

During the module assessment you will be required to create an application to meet a specified brief, as a result you will develop skills in requirements elicitation, documentation, and software and database design. You will also be assessed on your ability to read and understand code and recall programming principles from their body of knowledge.

Compulsory

Data Visualisation – 30 credits

In this module, you will learn about the key concepts and techniques in data visualisation and understand the importance of data visualisation as a vital instrument in many disciplines. This module should enable you to graphically represent data in an easily understood format which can be effective in helping to make informed, data-driven, decisions.

You should use a range of state-of-the-art data visualisation tools and technologies to communicate information both efficiently and effectively⁴.

By the end of the module, you should have the knowledge and skills required to implement data visualisation processes on a given dataset to better understand trends, outliers and patterns within datasets and to solve real-world problems. You should then be able to interpret and evaluate the results effectively.

Compulsory

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

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

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

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include:

practical class and project performance
written practical reports
project thesis
oral presentations
tutorial tasks.

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.

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

Teaching hours

Guided and 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:

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

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.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?

Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	2026/27 fees TBC 2025/26 fees: £9,535	Not available
International/EU	Not currently available***	Not available

Degree

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
International/EU	Not currently available***	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.

Applies to degree only:

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).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathway courses for additional options.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites⁴. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 364 days a year, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

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.

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.

Take a virtual tour

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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Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

This course with foundation year is not available to international students.

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If this course has a part-time option you will need to apply directly to the university.

Apply via the portal

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Study location

The Foundation Year study route will be delivered by CU, part of the Coventry University Group, for and on behalf of Coventry University.

If you choose to study at CU Coventry for your Foundation Year, then your learning will be based at CU Coventry, Mile Lane, Coventry. Subject to meeting progression requirements you will then transition to the relevant Coventry University subject building for your progression degree.

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

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 permit 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.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2026/2027 contract will apply for the 2026/2027 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.