Course overview

You gain the skills and knowledge to develop high-performance systems, contribute to the development of new computing algorithms and become part of the many research areas that this subject links to. Games programming is a specialisation of computer science and involves the same research-led study of computational theory and the design of software systems.

Computer games programming has been taught at Teesside for many years, and the course is respected industry wide. This masters programme builds on these foundations and provides a research-focused framework, enabling you to explore the more advanced areas of the subject.

As well as being prepared to enter the games industry, you gain skills relevant to many other sectors including simulation, artificial intelligence, and the wider software engineering industry. You can also further your academic career through a PhD and other research-related activities. There are three routes you can choose from:

• full-time - 2 years with advanced practice (September and January start)
• full-time - 1 year (September start) or 16 months (January start)
• part-time - 2 years.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills, and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. The assessments include assignments, tests, case studies, presentations, research proposal and literature review, and the production of a dissertation. The assessments may include individual or group essays or reports. The assessment criteria, where appropriate, includes assessment of presentation skills and report writing.

Career opportunities

This course enables you to develop core transferable skills, knowledge and behaviours required to effectively lead and manage within computing sector.

The one-year programme is a great option if you want to gain a traditional MSc qualification. The two-year master’s degree with advanced practice enhances your qualification by adding a vocational or research based internship to the one-year master’s programme. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides you with the opportunity to develop your analytical, team-working, research and academic skills by working alongside a research team in an academic setting. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. We will, however, provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own vocational internship position should you prefer this type of internship.