MSc Games Engineering | University of Warwick

Full-time Master's
MSc Games Engineering

Our MSc in Games Engineering will provide you with the skills, knowledge and expertise to work in senior technical roles within the cutting-edge world of computer games development and visual computing.

How to apply Register for updates

Start date:
30 September 2024

Duration:
12 months, full time

Award:
Master of Science (MSc)

Application deadline:
2 August 2024

Highlights and benefits

Be part of one of the most performance-driven elements of computer science and launch your career as an expert developer in the multi-billion pound global computer games industry.
Applied, industry-focused learning at one of the UK's leading Russell Group Universities, provides you with the opportunity to gain real-world insight alongside academically challenging studies.
Developed in collaboration with Warwick's Visualisation Research Group, this course draws on research expertise as well as industry engagement.

Overview

As a Master’s student of Games Engineering, you will be engaged in one of the most performance-driven elements of computer science, and will be well prepared to launch your career as an expert developer in the multi-billion pound computer games industry.

Video game development is a particularly complex software engineering processes, requiring expertise in a number of wide ranging areas including high-performance graphics, programming, data structures, physics, acoustics, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, networking, modelling and rendering.

Throughout the course, you will be trained in the complex game development process, learning the fundamental and theoretical aspects of how to create game engines from the ground up, as well as working with established game engines (i.e. Unreal, Unity) to understand the intricacies of their capabilities and limitations. Fundamental to becoming an expert developer is a having deep understanding of algorithmic concepts and high-level programming languages, so through this degree, you will not only master languages like C++ and python, but will form a conceptual understanding of computing principles with programming as a vehicle to grasp these concepts.

Visual computing, specifically the domain of computer graphics, is a fundamental discipline for the development and implementation of video games. Not only is it key within games engineering, but is ubiquitous across modern commercial, industrial and education landscapes.

Reasons to study Games Engineering at Warwick

Skills development: Gain advanced expertise in high-performance graphics, programming, data structures, physics, acoustics, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, networking, modelling and rendering.
Research informed: Developed in collaboration with Warwick’s Visualisation Research Group, this Master’s degree draws on particular expertise in Visual Computing, including computer graphics, vision, imaging, distributed and parallel systems, Human Computer Interaction, and Artificial Intelligence.
Expertise: Learn from a team of highly experienced engineers and scientists actively researching at the forefront of their field. Course content is informed by the latest academic research and industry insight.
Industry relevance: Understand the bigger picture or how game studios operate, the roles within a studio, and how all the complicated software components are connected in the games development pipeline.
Academic excellence: Study within the interdisciplinary WMG department, the largest academic department at the University of Warwick where technology and engineering meet business and management.
Facilities: Benefit from industry-standard hardware, provided to you for your personal use for the duration of the programme.
Scale and reputation: Be part of the WMG department with 1400 full-time MSc students across a portfolio of courses, and 34 research groups driving over 40% of all research conducted at the University of Warwick.
Career development: Develop an industry standard portfolio throughout the course and enjoy networking and placement opportunities with leaders in the games industry.
Location and reputation: The University of Warwick is one of the UK’s leading universities for teaching, industry engagement and research. We are located next to Leamington Spa, nicknamed 'Silicon Spa' – which is home to the largest group of games development companies in the UK, outside of London. Local gaming companies include: Sega, Ubisoft, Playground, and Codemasters. The University of Warwick also has a strong reputation for esports, and was recently rated as the best university for gamers in the UK by Uswitch. This is thanks to Warwick's Esports Society; our state-of-the-art campus facilities, including dedicated gaming rooms, high-performance gaming PCs and gaming consoles; and overall student gaming experience.

What you'll learn

This course comprises of the following core modules:

Elective modules

In addition to your core modules, you will also take one elective module from options provided to you at the start of the academic year. Please see below for an indicative list of electives available.

Innovative Simulation Design and Development
Machine Intelligence and Data Science

Project

In addition to your modules, in order to gain a Master of Science qualification, you will need to undertake a dissertation project, worth 33% of your MSc credits and your final grade. This will be a major individual project, which will develop your academic, research, and analytical skills. Your project will enable you to focus on a particular aspect of games engineering in order to further your personal and career interests. It will be submitted in the form of a dissertation at the end of the academic year.

You are expected to devote an appropriate portion of your time and intellectual effort to the project during the course i.e. approximately 600 hours over the course of the academic year.

How you'll learn

Learning style and assessment

This course has two components – a taught component accounting for two-thirds of your time and effort, and a research component (dissertation) accounting for one-third.

The taught component of the course is a combination of seminars, syndicate/group work, lab work, independent learning, and forum activities. Module leaders are experts in their fields and are supported by external speakers working in at the forefront of the games industry.

Each module encompasses 150 hours of learning which is delivered in a four-week learning block, allowing you to focus on one module at a time and engage deeply with the subject material.

Your modules will be assessed through a variety of methods including original programming applications, programming projects, game development, reports, and critical reviews. In additional to the main assessment, there may be assessed presentations, online tests, self-reflection, and a range of other assessment methods during each module. Your assessments can be used to develop your professional portfolio. There are no written exams for this course.

*The module 'Fundamentals of Games Research, Development and Management will be taught in a long-thin model throughout the academic year.

Entry requirements

In order to meet our academic entry requirement, you should have obtained the minimum of a UK 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalentLink opens in a new window) in a relevant technical subject.

Games Engineering is designed for graduates looking to progress into advanced technical positions so a strong STEM background is essential. Advanced programming skills will be an advantage, but candidates with the fundamentals of programming will be trained in C++.

English language

If you are a non-native English speaker, we need to confirm that your English language competency is sufficiently good for you to get the most out of your Master's study. We therefore require you to take a SELT (Secure English Language Test) and submit your results as one of your academic requirements. Whilst we encourage you to take your English test as early as possible, you can upload your results later in the application cycle. You do not need to delay your application until you've taken an English test.

If you are taking an IELTS test, we require a score of 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in any one component). Please view our web page here for a full list of accepted tests, together with the grades required.

How to apply

Application is through the University’s online form and is currently open. The course code for Games Engineering is: P-H1SK

What you will need to provide

A completed application form and £75 application fee.
A Personal Statement which can be included in the online application.
A scan of your transcript (marksheet). If you are still studying, please send us your transcripts to date. NB: if you are made an offer, we will then require you to upload your degree transcripts and certificate in order to clear your conditions.
English language test result (if applicable) - this can be submitted after you have an offer.
One reference. If you completed studies less than 2 years ago, this should be an academic reference. If you graduated more than 2 years ago, we will require a professional reference. We contact your referee directly, so please include their valid professional email address on your application form.
Candidates with professional experience should include their CV with their application.

You can read more about the application process, and access a link to the application form, on our how to apply web page.

Application Deadline

Our official application deadline is 2nd August 2024, however please note that this course will close early if capacity is reached ahead of that deadline. We strongly recommend you apply as soon as you are ready in order to avoid disappointment.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

For 2024 entry, the tuition fees are as follows:

Home students: £18,180 (Bursaries are awarded to UK offer holders. Merit-based scholarships also available)
Overseas students: £33,340 (Regional bursaries and merit-based scholarships are available)

If you are successful in receiving an offer, a deposit payment is required in order to secure your place on the course. Please note that sponsored students can apply for a deposit waiver. For further information, please see our tuition fee deposits pageLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windoLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windLink opens in a new window

Your remaining tuition fee is then payable at the start of the academic year, or in three instalments. For information about how to pay your tuition fees, please review the University's finance web pagesLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

WMG Excellence Scholarships

At WMG, we invest more than £1million per year into supporting our talented students and creating a diverse and inspiring learning environment.
Our funding opportunities range from the competitive merit-based WMG Excellence Scholarship open to all offer-holders, through to guaranteed bursaries for specific countries (including UK) and partnership awards with third-party funders.

WMG Excellence Scholarships are merit-based awards, available on a competitive basis. Awards range from 10% to 50% tuition fee discount.

Applications will be judged on past academic achievement, professional experience, reasons for study, and your vision for the future. View our WMG Excellence Scholarship pageLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windoLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window for full details on how to apply for this award.

Additional Scholarship opportunities

You might also be eligible to apply for other scholarships from the University of Warwick, such as the Warwick Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme; as well as awards from external funding bodies, including Chevening Scholarships. For additional funding opportunities and eligibility details, please visit our Funding web pageLink opens in a new window

Employability

Employability and career prospects

We expect most graduates of this programme to take on a senior technical role within the multi-billion pound computer games industry where there is huge global demand for expert developers.

The skills you gain through this MSc are also highly transferrable into numerous other sectors where visual computing, advanced programming, and machine learning are highly sought-after.

As a student in the WMG department at Warwick, you will benefit from our strong industry links, especially through our research collaborations. We also regularly host industry speakers and expert as part of the teaching on the programme. The reputation and position of Warwick as one of the worlds top universities for academic quality and employability will also ensure you the best platform from which to launch or accelerate your career.

WMG: a department embedded in industry

You'll be studying in an environment surrounded by professionals from a range of industries and sectors; including hearing directly from industry experts and guest speakers in many of our modules.

Throughout the year, we also host activities and events that will help you to understand potential career pathways including; seminars; external speakers; industrial visits; alumni talks and more. We encourage our students to make the most of the opportunities available to learn about career options for the future.

Warwick Careers Service

The University of Warwick's Careers ServiceLink opens in a new window offers specific careers support to WMG students, through a dedicated Careers Advisor, Siobhan Qadir. The service provides practical workshops and 1-1 appointments for our students covering many aspects of career choice and development, including: how to build a strong CV and write job applications; effective career planning and guidance; and how to enhance your interview and networking skills.

Additionally, each year, employers have a presence on campus, with careers fairs, presentations and guest lectures happening on a regular basis; meaning you'll have lots of exposure to potential employers.

There are also various events run throughout the year to develop your skillset and teach you how to market this to employers. Individual workshops are hosted on a variety of topics, such as networking and time management. Or for those interested in a more complete programme, you can partake in awards such as WMG Skills+ to develop your core employability skills, or the Intercultural Training Programme to strengthen your intercultural awareness. In addition, there is a wealth of online material available to help strengthen your industrial knowledge and build on employability skills, such as the WMG Virtual Careers Programme. Find out more about the support available to you by visiting our Careers and Employability page.

Alumni

We hope that your relationship with WMG and the University of Warwick will continue long after your graduate. The university and the department both have vast alumni networks and, upon graduation, you'll be a member of this ever-growing community of professionals working in countries around the world. You'll have access to our alumni support; events; e-mentoring scheme; amongst many other opportunities.

You can read about more about the careers and experiences of our alumni on our alumni profiles web pages.Link opens in a new window

Meet the Course Director: Dr Thomas Bashford-Rodgers

"My research focuses on realistic and accurate Computer Graphics, and I'm especially interested in how to efficiently simulate light transport in realistic and detailed virtual environments. I also work in other areas such as AI and Deep Learning, HDR imaging, quantum, exploiting human perception for computational gains, and cross-disciplinary research with other domains."

View the Course Director's Profile

Scholarships and Bursaries

WMG will be awarding over £1million in scholarships and bursaries to students commencing study on any of our full-time MSc programmes beginning in September 2024.

Explore funding opportunities

Ready to study at WMG?

We look forward to receiving your MSc application. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

How to apply Connect with us

Warwick Manufacturing Group

Full-time Master's
MSc Games Engineering

Highlights and benefits

Overview

Reasons to study Games Engineering at Warwick

What you'll learn

Elective modules

Project

Learning style and assessment

Entry requirements

English language

How to apply

What you will need to provide

Tuition fees

WMG Excellence Scholarships

Additional Scholarship opportunities

Employability and career prospects

WMG: a department embedded in industry

Warwick Careers Service

Alumni

Meet the Course Director: Dr Thomas Bashford-Rodgers

Scholarships and Bursaries

You may also be interested in

View our MSc courses

Student blogs

Alumni stories

Ready to study at WMG?

Full-time Master'sMSc Games Engineering

Highlights and benefits

Overview

Reasons to study Games Engineering at Warwick

Meet the Course Director: Dr Thomas Bashford-Rodgers

Scholarships and Bursaries

You may also be interested in

View our MSc courses

Student blogs

Alumni stories

Ready to study at WMG?

Full-time Master's
MSc Games Engineering