Computer Games TechnologyMSc

Are you ready to take your game development skills and knowledge of computers to the next level? An MSc Computer Games Technology degree course is an important next step towards a rewarding career in one of the world's most exciting creative industries.

The course is project-based, so you'll define the focus and scope of your own work, while building your technological expertise. You'll also get plenty of hands-on experience designing, creating, and managing your own research study.

When you graduate, you'll have all the tools you need to put your programming skills to work in both games and other creative industries.

This qualification is an option on the Creative Technologies Master's course. You'll select MSc Creative Technologies when you apply, then choose Computer Games Technology as your pathway project after you start the course. You'll graduate with MSc Computer Games Technology.

These are the entry requirements for the MSc Creative Technologies course.

Memberships

Our membership of TIGA (the UK games industry's trade association) means we're committed to providing you with the skills you'll need for a successful career. The quality of our courses and teaching was acknowledged when we won the 2014 TIGA Award for 'Best Educational Institution'.

The University of Portsmouth is also a member of the PlayStation® First Academic Program run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional development hardware, such as PlayStation 4 development kits, and software tools to get your hands on.

You'll graduate from the MSc Computer Games Technology degree course with the specialist knowledge and focused research skills you need to pursue a technology-related career, specifically in computer games.

Depending on your project choice, you can expect to find employment at home or internationally within the computer games industry, or in other areas where computer games technology is making an impact, such as Virtual Reality and simulation, film and television, training, and healthcare.

Work experience and career planning

We'll help you to identify internships, voluntary roles and opportunities that will complement your studies.

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the computer games industry.

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

You'll be encouraged to explore and research your specialism, and be challenged to put your knowledge to the test. You'll learn to define, implement, evaluate and reflect on what you learn, to emerge as an expert in your field.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

• project proposal
• research and development papers
• reflective reports
• completed artefacts
• presentations

You'll be able to test your knowledge and skills informally before submitting assessments that count towards your final mark.

You'll get plenty of feedback, to help you improve in the future.

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.

Term dates

September start

The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project/dissertation.

See key dates

Tuition fees (2023 start)

UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man students

• Full-time: £8,500
• Part-time
  • Year 1: £5,670
  • Year 2: £2,830

EU students (including Transition Scholarship)

• Full-time: £8,500
• Part-time
  • Year 1: £5,670
  • Year 2: £2,830

International students

• Full-time: £17,900
• Part-time
  • Year 1: £11,930
  • Year 2: £5,970

Fees subject to annual increase.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Funding your studies

Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover. 

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Standard applications

Start this course in September 2023

Apply now (Full-time) – 1 year

Apply now (Part-time) – 2 years

You'll be applying for MSc Creative Technologies, but you'll graduate with a MSc Computer Games Technology degree when you complete the course.

Our courses fill up quickly, so submit your application as soon as you decide which course you want to study.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.