Computer Games Programming (top up from HND)

• Top Up from HND or Foundation Degree in Computing / Computer Games Programming 

• Use DirectX and OpenGL to build game environments

• Placements with companies like Blitz Games, Kuju Entertainment and Jagex

• IMIS (Institute of the Management of Information Systems) accreditation

• View our computer games development resources. 

Read Computer Games Programming (Top-up) course information (PDF, file size: 191.66KB)

These awards are designed to provide a route to an honours degree following the completion of an appropriate HND or equivalent. They provide a seamless progression route for applicants who have completed a Staffordshire University HND in the exact subject area as well as being available for those with qualifications in subjects that are compatible from other institutions. It is possible to combine the study of the HND and the TopUp (with placement) to complete an honours degree in the same time period as a sandwich degree student.

The courses run over 18 months without a placement or a minimum of 24 months with a placement. We strongly recommend that the sandwich award is taken.

If on a sandwich award, you will study for 12 months and then complete a six-month or 12 month placement before returning to a semester of study at the University, which consists of doing a project (3 level 6 Modules) plus a general option module.

If you apply for a TopUp that does not naturally follow your HND content we will advise you of the appropriate options.

You will study a mixture of level 5 and level 6 modules over the first academic year which lead to an ordinary degree in Computer Games Programming.  You will then have one additional module and the Final Year Project to complete which leads to the BSc(Hons) Computer Games Programming.

Areas available include both OpenGL and DirectX. Specialised development from game consoles is introduced using XNA extensions.

Level 6 builds on previous years with games programming skills, including AI, graphics and animation. Again, options allow you to build on your OpenGL and DirectX skills. Further experience of platform specific development is provided.

The final year project will allow you to demonstrate the skills you have developed over your course. You will build a substantial software product, which would usually be a game of your choosing.

The award opens up opportunities within computer games companies. It also enables you to set up your own games company or to do contract work within the industry. The broad grounding in computing skills provided by the course will enable you to pursue a more traditional computing career should you wish to do so.

• Computer Science (Top up from HND)
• Software Engineering (Top up from HND)
• Multimedia  (Top up from HND)
• Web Development  (Top up from HND)
• Network Computing (Top up from HND)
• Computing Science (Top up from HND)
• Digital Forensics (Top up from HND)

A full list of Games Awards plus other information can be found on the Games page.

For more information about Computer Games Programming (top up from HND) (G620) please contact: