Games Technology MSc

Postgraduate

Close up of a printing press with paint smudges on a drum

Develop advanced programming skills in game engines and emerging technologies while building a strong portfolio. Gain industry and entrepreneurial experience and prepare for roles such as gameplay or engine programmer.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
With Professional Placement

Duration

1 year full-time
Up to 2 years full-time with professional placement

Course code

EEST045

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

This course is designed for professionals in any computational discipline with an interest in games technology. Advance your programming experience and skills in C++ and C# with a focus on game engines and collaborative development.

Develop the key skills you need to succeed in industry-relevant roles such as gameplay programming, engine programming, technical art, or tools programming.
Engage in teamwork and collaborative projects with industry-standard version control approaches. Build a strong portfolio.
Modules are designed to help you create portfolio artifacts that are directly aligned with assessments. This includes the outputs of three individual projects, a group project and a dissertation.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Prepare for a career as a professional software developer and develop the skills you need to begin a career in the games industry.

Advance your software development skills in C++ and C#, game engines such as Unity and Unreal, and explore emerging technologies like AR/VR.
Enhance your algorithmic design skills to translate them into effective GPU and CPU programming. This should empower you to tackle research-oriented problems with greater capacity. Build a high-quality portfolio of artefacts you can use when applying for jobs.
Participate in Global Game Jam.²
There are many local game societies based around Leamington Spa (Silicon Spa) and regular industry events throughout the West Midlands that you may be able to attend and join.²
Gain practical experience and boost your CV with an additional professional placement. See the modules for more details.²

Accreditation and professional recognition

Chartered Management Institute

This course is designed¹ to include the criteria set by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice. It is expected that students who successfully pass the module Tools Programming will be eligible to gain the award as an additional qualification.

What you'll study

Modules

Game Engines – 30 credits

Design and construct game engines and explore systems such as animation, physics and rendering. Gain hands-on experience by creating your own game engine using low-level programming, modern APIs and design patterns. Learn to architect modular systems, integrate middleware and optimise performance. Demonstrate a deep understanding of game engine architecture, manage complex software projects and apply advanced programming techniques.

Compulsory

Gameplay Programming – 30 credits

Learn about leading commercial game engines and their development workflows from numerate or computational disciplines. Engage in exercises designed to enhance your algorithmic design and programming skills. Apply and refine your existing programming knowledge, translating your understanding of algorithms and data structures into practical applications within the context of a commercial game engine.

Compulsory

Technical Graphics – 30 credits

Create high-fidelity 3D game content using advanced technical processes, including shader programming and particle system creation. Explore the evolution of game art, procedural and AI-driven components and their ethical implications. Learn to balance realism and aesthetics, apply physical principles and implement procedural content generation efficiently to produce visually stunning and realistic game environments while understanding the technical and ethical aspects of modern game development.

Compulsory

Tools Programming – 30 credits

Collaboratively identify and develop a marketable tool within games technology, applying practical and analytical skills to research and design. Evaluate a feature-complete software solution ready for public release. Focus on leadership, people development and entrepreneurship. Learn how to lead effectively, foster inclusivity and apply strategic entrepreneurial principles. Learn to create inclusive environments by addressing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to help you graduate with both technical expertise and the leadership skills needed to optimise team performance and organisational success.

Compulsory

Master’s with professional placement

If you successfully secure a placement in industry within your first semester, this master’s with professional placement option allows you to extend your 12-month master’s course up to an additional year to complete the placement before starting your final 60-credit module.

Gain valuable industry insights and skills as you apply your academic knowledge and skills to a professional placement.
The placement must be sourced and secured by you during your first semester. Our careers and employability team are available to support you with the sourcing process.
Start your professional placement after completing the first 120 credits of your course.
The professional placement will be integrated into your course learning and outcomes. This will take the form of a reflective diary demonstrating your learning and engagement with the placement experience.
The professional placement option is subject to additional fees, living costs, visa requirements, availability, competitive application and university approval of the placement.²

For full terms and conditions please visit the enhanced masters landing page.

Optional

Research Project – 60 credits

Learn the skills needed to conduct independent research, culminating in a dissertation and associated artefact. It covers research methodologies, data collection, analysis and interpretation, alongside ethical practices and effective time management. Learn to structure and write a coherent dissertation, adhere to academic integrity standards, and master academic writing and referencing. Get prepared to produce original, well-organised research and disseminate your findings effectively.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops
practical laboratory sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study.

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include:

presentations
group projects
live simulations
individual application development work
portfolios
written documentation.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in computing or computer science.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in computing or computer science.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Games lab
Whether you’re looking to develop digital games or create stunning art pieces and help guide art direction in video games, our computer suite is filled with high-end gaming PCs, suitable for work in a range of software and engines.

VR suite
Featuring all you need and can expect to experience in the world of work, this dedicated suite includes motion capture technology, green screen, lighting rig and a control room.

Immersive sound studio
Our purpose-built 360° audio studio provides you with access to an industry-standard Dolby Atmos-Genelec sound facility. Design sound in 3D using the mixer desk and VR tools for games, film, and immersive environments.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you could find yourself applying for roles such as:

gameplay programmer
technical artist
VR/AR developer
graphics programmer
AI programmer
physics programmer
software developer (games industry)
game engine developer
simulation developer
game researcher
game producer
game designer (technical focus)
UI/UX programmer (games)
consultant (games technology)
entrepreneur (games tech start-ups)

You should also be equipped with transferable skills suitable for broader software development and technology roles.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Full-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.