BSc Game Programming
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Animation, interactive, film and sound. Core topics include Programming, Systems Design, Design & Creative Practice, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. The course covers games technologies, graphics rendering, and engine systems programming, with an individual project in the final year and a collaborative Game Lab module simulating a studio environment.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 23 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 72%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 28%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 25%
- Sales occupations: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Information Technology Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 35%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 175 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 48%
- West Midlands: 16%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 55 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional Practice
- Programming
- Games Technologies
- Logic and Discrete Mathematics
- ​​Game Design Fundamentals​
- ​​3D Modelling​
- ​​Level Design​
- ​​Game Lab 1​
- ​​Game Lab 2​
- ​​Design Pipelines for Programmers​
- Game engine systems
- Software engineering
- Graphics
- ​​Game Development​
- Individual Project
- ​​XR Technologies​
- Operating systems
- Concurrency and communication
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Game Programming at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £43,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Computer games and animation.
What do graduates of BSc Game Programming at University of Derby do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Game Programming at University of Derby?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Game Programming at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Does BSc Game Programming at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Game Programming at University of Derby?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 28% left higher education.