Main details
Course overview
Module options
Our academics
Entry requirements
Fees & funding
Scholarships
Facilities
Future prospects
Next steps

Postgraduate Taught

Computer Science for Games Programming

Computer Science, Robotics & AI - Games Programming

The demand for professional game programmers and developers is huge – learn how to become one of them with our Masters degree.

Develop your skills with hands-on practical learning in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Become part of our global network of graduates working in the games sector and benefit from our strong relationships with industry.

We have a strong gaming heritage – we’ve been supplying this lucrative and dynamic industry with quality graduates for over 20 years.

Master games programming at a university that has been supplying skilled graduates to the industry for over 20 years.

We have close links with some of the biggest names in the business. And a strong network of graduates working in the games sector across the world.

You’ll get hands on with practical learning in our state-of-the-art computer labs. Our facilities are kitted out with latest industry-standard equipment, including high-performance workstations, gigabit networking, 3D printers, robots, a 3D-immersive cube, motion capture, AR, VR and MR.

Then graduate ready for a career in the multibillion-pound – and rapidly growing – games industry.

Proud gaming heritage
State-of-the-art facilities
Strong industry links
Global games graduate network
Accredited

by the British Computer Society ¹

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Course overview

Module options

About this course

Learn how to create games for a living, exploring the technical aspects of game development and the underlying fundamentals of computer science.

Master C++ programming. And study a range of core concepts such as physics simulation, concurrency, advanced graphics, artificial intelligence, and game engine architecture.

You’ll benefit from our close links with tech giants such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. Our courses reflect the latest industry insight, so our graduates have the highly specialised set of skills they need to be at the forefront of this dynamic sector.

We also host frequent talks by industry experts. Many of them our own graduates working in games development around the world.

Boost your CV by taking part in extra-curricular opportunities such as game jams, hackathons and programming competitions. You could compete in events like the Game Republic Student Showcase, where our students regularly win technical awards. Or rise to the challenge of creating a computer game over a weekend in our Three Thing Game.

This accredited degree meets the full academic requirements for Chartered IT Professional plus partial Chartered Engineer status.

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Commercial Development Practice

CDP is a reach-out project of the School of Computer Science, where we work on real commercial software for real clients. With the support of academic and specialist staff, our software development teams provide commercial software development services to customers with bespoke software development needs.

This excellent opportunity gives you critical experience of working professionally with clients across the entire software project lifecycle from customer brief through to specifying, designing, developing and testing software using industry-standard technologies and techniques. Employers tell us they are actively looking for candidates with experience applying the project management methodologies, frameworks and tools that you will explore, use and hone during your time in CDP.

Graduates tell us that their experiences are highly sought after in industry, and you will certainly end up with lots to put on your CV and talk about in job interviews!

Core•40 credits

MSc Dissertation

Your MSc Dissertation is your chance to spend a full third of your study time working on a topic of interest to you, and producing something major as a result. You can design your own project, working with a member of staff to develop an idea. Perhaps you will develop an AI program, do some research in virtual reality, or build a new robot butler – the choice is yours.

With regular support from a supervisor, you’ll learn to create, undertake, evaluate and report on a significant individual project which you’ll be proud to show off to an employer or perhaps provide a stepping stone into further research.

Core•60 credits

Real-Time Graphics

In this module you will gain practical experience of writing programmes that run on dedicated graphics hardware, that enables huge amounts of data to be processed at the same time in a highly parallelised architecture. You will write software from the ground up, setting up the pipeline, loading data into the buffers, writing shader code and making render calls that result in 3D environments that are commonplace in the modern games industry.

Compulsory• credits

C++ Programming and Design

Explore how to create efficient, robust, interactive graphics applications in C++ on modern CPUs. By linking with Real-time Graphics, you will gain the opportunity to development larger and more interesting applications, which will form the centre piece of any personal portfolio.

Compulsory• credits

Simulation and Concurrency

You will learn about physically based modelling (PBM) to create simulations that include a variety of physically based objects. You will also develop advanced practical skills and domain knowledge that will include networking and, concurrency. These skills and knowledge with further increase your professional job market.

Compulsory•20 credits

Cutting Edge Concepts

This module enables review of cutting-edge and emerging concepts and methods across the spectrum of computer science. We will meet as a reading group to select, review and discuss academic publications of high quality, that take topics beyond the curriculum and into the current state of the art; students will learn how to read and review academic materials critically.

Compulsory•20 credits

6 Modules

This course is accredited by

Our academics

You’ll be taught by talented researchers whose specialist areas include computational science; computer gamification; dependable intelligent systems; robotics and artificial intelligence; and simulation and visualisation.

See more academics for this subject

Featured academic

Simon Grey

One of our Computer Science lecturers, Simon specialises in games, graphics and physical simulation. He’s passionate about games programming and games design and a big fan of our extra-curricular game jams and coding competitions.

Featured academic

Dr Qingde Li

Dr Qingde Li has a background in applications in mixed reality and has been published in the world's most prestigious graphics journals. He’s created several novel algorithms and techniques for implicit modelling.

Entry requirements

UK
International

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

A minimum 2:2 Bachelor Honours (or international equivalent) in “Computer Science” or “Software Engineering” with at least 40 credits (or equivalent) of a high-level objected oriented programming language such as Java, C++ or C#.

Additional entry requirements for this course

You will be required to submit a personal statement as a part of your application which sets out the extent of your programming experience, stating languages used and levels of proficiency in each. If you would like to discuss this with a member of academic staff who can help you to assess whether their degree will be sufficient preparation then we will be happy to arrange this. You can email the Postgraduate Admissions Team at pgstudy@hull.ac.uk.

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer

2:2 in relevant subject area

Additional entry requirements for this course

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

UK
International

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
Optional field trips
Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
Student visas (international students)
Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
Printing and photocopying
Professional-body membership
Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Hull undergraduates progressing to a taught masters course may receive a 25% discount on the cost of their tuition fees.

Find out if you’re eligible by visiting the University of Hull Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship page.

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Take a look at our facilities

Turing Lab

Create high-end graphics in our Turing Lab working on top-spec, state-of-the art PCs – each with their own RTX graphics cards.

Hull Immersive Visualisation Environment (HIVE)

Develop games then step inside them with our 3D-immersive cube which includes VR theatre, gigapixel wall facilities and wearable devices.

Superlab

Fully refurbished as part of a significant investment in high-performance workstations, servers and social spaces, our Superlab is also open to students outside of teaching hours.

Robotics Lab

Our specialist robotics lab is used for robot development and programming activities. Interact with our DJI Drones, Turtlebot3 mobile robots and humanoids like Baxter, Nao and Pepper.

See more in our virtual tour

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Future prospects

The demand for qualified game programmers and developers is huge and our graduates are highly sought after. Some have gone on to work on Triple A games like Grand Theft Auto 5, Burnout Paradise and Need for Speed.

We have strong links with many of the UK's top game studios. Some have recruited straight from our department and several Master’s students have had job offers before they graduated.

You could go on to further study with a PhD. Or set up and grow your own tech business.

You’ll also become part of our extensive network of Hull graduates working in the games industry across the world – many of them company directors and technical leads.

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

Apply now

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

Computer Science for Games Programming

About this course