Careers Brief - Computer Games Design FdSc
Overview
The Foundation degree in Computer Games Design offers you the opportunity for progression onto an Honours degree Top-up programme or direct job entry.
Computer gaming within the interactive entertainment industry is a dynamic, fast moving and expanding market with increasing sophistication. It is essential to keep up to date with relevant software and be able to adapt to change.
A good games designer needs to be multi-talented with an all-round knowledge: technical understanding, able to use software packages and demonstrate creativity and imagination.
You are likely to be working in a large multi disciplinary team and could be involved in both the initial concept design and the more lengthy development design stage. You will need to be able to effectively communicate ideas, information, problems and solutions.
A sound knowledge base of programming and gaming software is essential to get into computer games design.
Despite a shortage of skills within the computer games and leisure software industry, computer gaming is a popular career and there are a large number of colleges/universities producing graduates from gaming-related courses. Few employers are able to train new entrants and without the right skills and a passion for games, you are unlikely to break into this competitive career.
Go to the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
You will be able to apply for a top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degree, though entry may be selective.
Graduates may apply for final year Honours degrees or Top-up degrees at Bournemouth University. Go to http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/ for information on courses.
Other institutions offering related Top-ups include:
University of Cumbria; Hereford College of Arts; Leeds College of Art; University of the Arts London; Norwich University College of the Arts; Plymouth College of Art & Design; University of Portsmouth; Ravensbourne; Sheffield Hallam University; University of Wolverhampton.
Alternatively, you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be the final year.
To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is your funding coming from? Go to the university/college website for information on course costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level degree to attain a Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain other specialist training.
For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .
Useful Links
Go to Divisions 'Blitz Academy Career Advice' - careers guidance website for those interested in a career in games
The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media - Careers section.
Go to sub-heading title 'Computer Games'.
e-skills UK - Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Government Careers Advice service - go to 'Information Technology and Information Management' for 'Computer Games Developer' + 'Computer Games Tester'
Creative choices - online service supporting the individual and business in the creative industries and cultural sector
Go to sector side-heading 'Design' for 'Job profile: computer game designer' + click on 'Quick guides'.
BCS The Chartered Institute for IT
Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' and go to section 'Careers' + 'Students'.
www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm
Graduate Prospects - national careers website for HE students studying in the UK:
Drop down 'Job sectors' to go to 'IT and information services' for 'Games developer'
Drop down 'Jobs' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' to use Prospects Planner
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/computergames.htm
University of Kent Careers Service - 'I want to work in...Computer Games'
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles':
Go to ''Computers and IT' + 'Media, Print and Publishing' for job profiles
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Government Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search by either clicking on side-heading 'Careers' and choose a category or type in job title.
Go to side-heading '4 TALENT'
The Guardian newspaper online - key source for current media news and jobs
The Global Game Industry Network magazine online
Games Industry online magazine
Computing magazine online
Computer Weekly magazine online
IT Jobs Watch tracking the IT Market - Search input 'Games'
TIGA - national trade association representing games developers in the UK and Europe
International Game Developers Association
Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association - the UK's leading videogames trade body
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for advice and help with making applications.
