Sarah Ryan - BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology

I’ve been playing video games for as long as I can remember, so they’ve always been a huge part of my life.

It wasn’t until I studied computer science during my A-Levels that I considered a career in games, as I discovered I could combine my passion with my newfound love for programming. I decided to go to university to gain the technical skills needed to become a games programmer. 

I was blown away by the facilities for Creative Technologies when I visited Portsmouth on an Open Day, and the staff were passionate and welcoming, so choosing to study here was incredibly easy. It was exciting to think I could make a game with PS4 development kits or use the motion capture studio.

Lots of freedom is given for Computer Games Technology coursework, meaning that you get to choose something that genuinely interests you, which made my experience that much more enjoyable. For example, I made a small space flight simulator, learned how to render medical data, and worked with some incredible people to create a game with a focus on sensory deprivation. It’s definitely not all work, though: I’ve attended multiple game jams, forming teams and developing a game within a time limit, represented the university at games conventions and even discovered new hobbies such as pole dancing by getting involved with university societies.

Now that I’ve completed my degree, I’ll continue to develop the skills I learned at the University of Portsmouth and use them to make some great games. After completing a placement year with games studio Rare, I was fortunate enough to be offered a graduate role.