Bachelor of Science Computer Game Applications Development (TOP-UP)

Graphics Programming with Shaders

This module develops a critical understanding of the computer graphics programmable pipeline and the techniques used to manipulate 3D graphics in real time. You’ll go beyond using shaders and into writing them, learning how the rendering pipeline works and how to control it.

Through this module, students will:

• Develop custom shaders tailored to specific rendering requirements
• Design and build real-time 3D graphics applications using the programmable pipeline
• Evaluate and compare graphics programming techniques for performance and visual quality

By the end, you’ll understand how each stage of the rendering pipeline operates and have the ability to write, debug, and optimise shader code to the standard expected in engine and graphics programming roles.

Type : Core

Gameplay Mechanics Development

This module builds the discipline of turning a design document into functional, testable gameplay. You’ll work through the full cycle of formalising, implementing, testing, and iterating on game mechanics within a game engine.

Through this module, students will:

• Translate design documentation into clean, structured code
• Implement gameplay functionality with testing, metrics, and iteration built into the process
• Design, develop, and critically evaluate a complex game mechanic within a working game application

The focus is on building mechanics that are robust and intentional, understanding why a mechanic succeeds or fails through evidence and iteration rather than assumption. This is the discipline that defines a gameplay engineer.

Type : Core

Artificial Intelligence

This module introduces the AI techniques and technologies currently used, or emerging, in the development of intelligent systems across games and other application domains. You’ll move from understanding how AI works in theory to designing and evaluating real solutions.

Through this module, students will:

• Develop a critical understanding of AI techniques and technologies relevant to games and interactive systems
• Evaluate how AI is applied in game development, from NPC behaviour to procedural systems
• Design and evaluate a suitable machine learning or AI solution for a data-driven problem

By the end, you’ll be able to assess which AI approach fits a given design challenge and build a working implementation that demonstrates both technical ability and critical judgement.

Type : Core

Professional Project

The Professional Project places students in a multidisciplinary team to deliver a real interactive media project, each taking on a role matched to their specialisation, whether that’s concept art, 3D art, design, or development.

Through this module, students will:

• Communicate with clients and stakeholders throughout the production cycle
• Pitch, present, and defend their team’s creative and technical decisions
• Research and test technical pipelines suited to the project
• Produce project documentation, planning materials, and production schedules
• Design, develop, test, and deliver a functional interactive prototype as a team

The output is a vertical slice of gameplay or interactive experience, taken through the full lifecycle from ideation to delivery. Students will demonstrate competence in their chosen discipline while integrating their work with teammates across different specialisations.

This module becomes the centrepiece of the graduate portfolio, and the clearest signal to any studio that you can ship work in a team.

Type : Core