Key information
- UCAS code
- G4GD
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Introducing our ground-breaking new undergraduate programme at Heriot-Watt University, BSc (Hons) Games Development and Production, exclusively launching in the vibrant city of Edinburgh.
Led by acclaimed industry expert Dr. Thomas Methven, a Bafta award-winning indie developer, you'll acquire sought-after skills in game design, 3D graphics, UI/UX, and more. Our expert teaching team will guide you through gaining real-world experience in designing, building, and releasing your own games.
In recent years, Edinburgh has firmly established itself as a global hub for the gaming industry, surpassing major sectors such as AI, Data Science, and Cyber Security. This undergraduate programme seeks to bridge the gap within Edinburgh's thriving gaming ecosystem, driven by industry giants like Rockstar North, Epic Games, and Unity Technologies.
Our Games Studio
This programme has exclusive use of our purpose-built Games Studio inside our £19m innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building. This studio comes equipped with the latest development hardware, allowing the development of modern console or VR experiences. As there are only a handful of universities worldwide capable of offering such design-led programmes, this studio provides a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.
Example of Gaming careers you could work in:
- Game Developer: Develops the code and software components of video games.
- Game Designer: Develops the core game functions, creating the rules, gameplay, and flow throughout the game.
- Game User Experience (UI/UX) Designer: Enhances the overall user experience and designs how users interface with the game.
- Game System/Engine/Graphics Developer: Develops the low-level components of a modern game, which supports the gameplay.
- Game Producer: Manages the development process, ensuring games are completed on time and within budget.
- Game Writer/Narrative Designer: Crafts the story and narrative elements of video games.
- Game AI Programmer: Develops artificial intelligence systems to control non-player characters and game behaviours.
Your student experience
- Led by Scottish BAFTA Winning Games Developer Thomas Methven: indie developer of SOLAS 128
- Graduate showcase event: Every year we organize a graduate showcase, providing our students with an opportunity to demonstrate the games they've created to the industry and Scottish gaming community.
- Built on industrial engagement: This degree was designed around the requirements of industry ensuring you are ready to take your next step into industry or indie development.
- A leading university: Heriot-Watt University was one of the first universities in the UK to offer a Computer Science undergraduate meaning we boast a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to research and teaching in this field.
- State-of-the-art labs: To facilitate hands-on learning, we have created state-of-the-art labs based in the GRID; including the Games Studio and the university’s first VR labs.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- Software Development 1
- Introduction to Interaction Design
- Introduction to Games
- Logic and Proof
Mandatory January
- Software Development 2
- Discrete Mathematics
- Introduction to Computer Systems
- Web Design and Databases
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
Study Games Development and Production
Join Dr Thomas Methven as he outlines the key reasons you should study the Games Development and Production programme at Heriot-Watt University.
Industry and Employability
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,790 |
| International | £25,808 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BBC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
- HND BB in graded units. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Maths achieved at B.
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Maths achieved at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Maths achieved at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
- HND BB in graded units. Must be in a relevant subject and contain sufficient Maths at SCQF Level 6.
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Employability
Work and study
Salary
Potential career paths
- Information Technology Professionals
Student life
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