

Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-timeStart date
September 2023Overview
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.
Course highlights
- Design and develop software, systems, 2D and 3D assets, and innovative solutions for a major project of your choice
- Use the latest professional game content creation software and console development equipment
- Have access to our Virtual Reality Lab, featuring stereoscopic 3D projectors, Oculus Rifts, virtual treadmills and Leap Motion equipment, along with Motion capture facilities that include facial capture and a real-time feed into Unreal Engine 4
- Carry out client-based research
- Receive tutoring and support from experts
Entry requirements
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.
MSc Creative Technologies Master's requirements
Qualifications or experience
- A good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Selection process
An online portfolio submission may be required as part of the selection process.
For more information on how to put together a portfolio, read our MSc Creative Technologies portfolio guide.
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.
Careers and opportunities
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.
What you'll study
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.
Modules
Core modules in this year include:
- Professional, Academic and Research Development – 30 credits
- Project Context and Definition – 30 credits
- Project Design and Development – 60 credits
- Project Evaluation and Resolution – 60 credits
There are no optional modules in this year.
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.
How you'll spend your time
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.
Course costs and funding
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.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 module a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
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.