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A photo from the back of a computer lab with rows of students at individual workstations. At the front of the room is a lecturer talking to the group, pointing at some projected games coding on the wall

Games Computing MSc

Gain the skills to develop software, systems, and content for modern video games, preparing you for a career in the computer games industry.

The MSc in Games Computing builds on your previous knowledge of gaming and prepares you for advanced technical roles in the games industry. This cutting-edge course supports the development of advanced techniques and technologies aligned with computing.

The curriculum will enhance your capacity to write code, develop software, and use relevant platforms and game engines to produce new gaming experiences. This expands your understanding of advanced professional technologies and behaviours, enabling you to resolve complex issues systematically and precisely. This course focuses on developing, iterating, and implementing game software. Through project-based approaches, you will enhance your skills in programming languages, game engines, computational visualisation, coding, and virtual networks.

The course encourages a critical approach to games computing, considering the social and ethical implications of your work. By the end, you will have created a professional body of work, confident in applying programming languages to industry-standard solutions and technical problem-solving, clearly communicating your results within the games industry.

Why study with us

  • Advanced technical skills

    Develop your expertise in advanced programming languages, game engines, computational visualisation, and virtual networks to create sophisticated, clean, and efficient code.

  • Interdisciplinary approach

    Benefit from shared delivery with other postgraduate courses, fostering a collaborative environment that reflects industry practices and promotes knowledge-sharing and interdisciplinary interaction.

  • Professional-level resources

    Utilise a wide range of professional resources, including industry standard tools, media labs, 2D & 3D studios and workshops, computer labs, high-specification PCs, digital darkrooms, analogue and digital resources, and licensed specialist software, supporting you to create practical and creative solutions to project briefs.

  • Ethical and inclusive research

    Adopt an ethical approach to your work, focusing on the social and ethical implications of games computing, and emphasising accessibility, equality, diversity, and sustainability.

  • Professional portfolio development

    By the end of the course, you will have created a professional body of work that reflects your interests and prepares you for industry, enhancing your ability to communicate research visually.

  • Innovative problem solving

    Engage with complex computational problems through project-based learning, promoting original and innovative approaches to technical proficiency and professional working methods.

Course Details

This programme is a one-year course, including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete five units and one 60-credit major project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years. Full course details, including aims and assessment criteria, will be provided in the course specification upon validation.

Core practice and context in Games Computing (60 credits)

This unit launches your master’s study experience at Norwich, encouraging you to explore leading practices and emerging research in game computing, focusing on a broad understanding of processes within conceptual and cultural contexts. Through discovery-based learning, you will develop a deep knowledge of programming, data analysis, visualisation, mathematics, physics, information systems, networks, physical computing, prototyping, and emerging technologies like AR/VR/AI. This unit encourages an expanded approach to creative thinking, examining broader systems and the interconnected boundaries of games computing with other fields. Research-led projects and iterative experimentation will enhance your critical reflection and analytical skills, helping you learn how to use games computing and technology to address cultural and contemporary issues. This hands-on approach encourages innovative thinking and practical application, preparing you to tackle real-world challenges in the creative industries.

Advanced technical skills in Games Computing (20 credits)

This unit focuses on developing advanced games computing skills essential for idea generation, problem-solving, and practical development. It includes a range of media and processes, focusing on technical expertise to address theoretical and conceptual challenges. Through individual and group projects, students are encouraged to explore innovative solutions for contemporary and emerging media platforms. The unit will cover programming, custom software practices, physical computing, machine learning, systems engineering, advanced visualisation, electronic prototyping, and emerging technologies like AR/VR/AI. The unit emphasizes iterative cycles of experimentation, enhancing practical skills and methods to advance your creative outcomes and knowledge.

Dialogue, debate and domain knowledge in Games Computing (10 credits)

This unit explores leading practices and emerging research in creative technology practice, enhancing your understanding through reflective analysis and interactive sessions. It examines the discipline within socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts, covering themes like machine learning theory, games theory, human-computer interaction, and globalisation. Students will develop diverse research approaches and engage in discursive interactions to inform their inquiry methods, examining the boundaries between creative technology disciplines. The unit looks at primary and secondary research methodologies, presentations, and critical reflective writing, positioning you as a critically engaged practitioner ready to contribute to contemporary and cultural debates.

Professional technical skills in Games Computing (20 credits)

This unit focuses on advanced professional-level technical skills essential for innovative games computing practice. Building on the ‘advanced technical skills’ unit, it encourages experimentation across various media to enhance personal development and practical skills. You will learn the importance of technical expertise in supporting theoretical and conceptual aspects of computational design and prototyping. Through individual and group projects, students will refine their computing processes and explore innovative solutions, particularly in digital environments. The unit integrates custom software practices, physical computing, algorithmic design, and emerging technologies like AR/VR/AI. Focusing on contemporary techniques, you will blend theoretical concepts with technical skills, enabling you to create innovative and complex outcomes, essential for advancing in the dynamic games computing industry.

Advanced critical context in Games Computing (10 credits)

This unit deepens knowledge of leading practices and emerging research in creative technology and games computing. By developing effective research and reflective strategies, you will enhance your critical understanding of key methodologies and gain insights into creative thinking within socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts. Building on prior knowledge from the ‘dialogue, debate, and domain knowledge’ unit, it emphasises developing effective research and reflective strategies to understand creative communication in various contexts. The unit includes interactive sessions that explore critical frameworks, covering themes like machine learning theory, game theory, human-computer interaction, and globalisation. Hands-on projects and iterative analysis cycles will reinforce the synthesis of conceptual and practical problem-solving, positioning you as critically engaged reflective practitioners.

Major project (60 credits)

This unit represents the culmination of your games computing studies, integrating everything you’ve learned on your studies. You will identify a research question, plan a project to test hypotheses, and work towards innovative outcomes, which may involve multiple outputs or a focused exploration of one aspect of your practice, supported by feedback from tutors and industry professionals. You will be encouraged to support the historical, theoretical, cultural, technical, and economic contexts relevant to your discipline and project. You will examine challenges related to social and environmental sustainability, identifying relevant industries, audiences, and stakeholders. Research-led practice will enhance your ability to synthesise experiments into complex creative outcomes, positioning you as a critically engaged and reflective professional who can synthesise experiments and ideas into complex creative outcomes.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods.

  • Lectures

  • Seminars

  • Tutorials

  • Technical labs

  • Independent and group work

Assessment

Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:

  • Critically reflective essay
  • Course work
  • Presentations
  • Learning journal
  • Reflective evaluation
  • Body of creative work
  • Reflective research report
  • Team project evaluation
  • Major project
  • Supporting documentation
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Typical career paths

Our MA in Games Computing equips graduates with the creative and technical expertise required for a wide range of roles within the games industry, including game designer, artist, developer and producer. The course provides versatile skills highly valued across other creative and tech industries, opening doors to careers in design, programming, production and much more. Throughout the course, you will develop strong project management abilities, teamwork, communication, leadership, and negotiation skills. You’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and techniques, while also developing entrepreneurial acumen and business knowledge, which will support you as an independent developer or support your career in a larger games development studio.

This course prepares you for a career in a variety of disciplines related to games computing, including:

  • Applications developer
  • Game designer
  • Game developer
  • Game producer
  • UI/UX designer
  • Concept designer
  • Multi-media programmer
  • Multi-media specialist
  • Software engineer
  • VFX artist
  • Indie game developer

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)

Entry Requirements

We typically require an honours degree of 2:1 or above. Applicants should have a good working knowledge of programming gained from work, university study, or personal interest. Details on your programming experience should be included as part of your application.

Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.

English language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. We also accept other English language qualifications.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our international pages.

Fees and funding

Home

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year:

Full time: £10,600

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For Home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience. Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees

International

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year will be:

Full time: £24,000

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students. To find out more and see if you’re eligible, please visit the scholarships for international students page.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees

Games Computing MSc Course Costs (opens in a new window)

How to apply

Home

Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.

Postgraduate Application Form – Word Document 2025-2026 (opens in a new window)

Applications should be returned to admissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

International

Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Online Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)

International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information. Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details

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