Gaming degrees in UK/Ireland.

Avatar image for mdub
MDub

42

Forum Posts

166

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#1  Edited By MDub

 

I was crap at school.  I didn't understand the correlation between education and a career, but even if I did all the men around me had manual jobs they hated and actively discouraged me from pursuing.  The only exception was my [much] older brother, who had a job in computers.  I liked computers, they played games.  So I followed in his footsteps, although I was only ever really interested in the games.  I tried and failed a BSc in Computer Science and I’ve stumbled through a career in IT ever since.

These days, there are loads of unis offering degrees in games design and games programming.  There was nothing like that for me back in 1994 and I still find it incredible that the industry has got to this point.  Degrees in gaming are tough though.  Games programmers need to understand all things normal apps and database programmers understand, plus a load of very specialist stuff like particle physics, AI, global illumination, all the different console architectures and of course, fun gameplay.  

GamesTM recently ran an article on the best unis in the and for gaming qualifications.  They picked out:

     * Brunel University in West London
    * Plymouth College of Art and Design
    * Trinity College in Dublin
    * University of Derby  

As an East Midlands boy, it’s great to see on the list, but it’s also a bit galling; the degree I dropped out of in ’95 was at Nottingham Trent Uni.

If you’re not a programmer or designer, there’s plenty of 3D graphics degrees out there too.  I believe Bournemouth Uni is particularly good for that stuff.  Not that it’ll make things any easier.  Not only are 3D apps like Autodesk’s Maya utter beasts, with 18” thick user manuals (no joke), but as graphics advance games artists need to be more technical too.

Still, if you’re a sad old gamer like me, a job in games is a dream come true.

Avatar image for get2sammyb
get2sammyb

6686

Forum Posts

1993

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 4

#2  Edited By get2sammyb

I read the article on game degrees. You still hear people say the best jump into the industry you can get is by starting at the bottom and working your way up though.
 
For years now these gaming degrees have been a joke. It's only just recently that they actually have started to carry some weight.
 
In fact, most degrees fullstop are an absolute fucking joke. But don't get me started.

Avatar image for exlutonian
Exlutonian

176

Forum Posts

70

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

#3  Edited By Exlutonian

I happen to be doing one myself. And I'm finding it worthwhile.

Avatar image for linkyshinks
Linkyshinks

11399

Forum Posts

-1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#4  Edited By Linkyshinks

Jools Watsham a fellow Brit working in the US as lead designer for Renegade Kid.
 
 

Avatar image for deactivated-5a06726367912
deactivated-5a06726367912

168

Forum Posts

6

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I'm doing a degree RIGHT NOW! A BA in 3D Computer Animation. I like it, but it's a lot of work.

Avatar image for evanbrau
evanbrau

1178

Forum Posts

1589

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 5

#6  Edited By evanbrau

The college I go to (Ballyfermot College of Further Education in Dublin) does two different gaming oriented courses, I'm certain there are tons more in Ireland but these are the two I know exist for certain. I'm doing journalism so have literally never met anyone doing the games courses but they seem to have a good reputation, the entry requirements aren't overwhelming either.

Avatar image for mdub
MDub

42

Forum Posts

166

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

#7  Edited By MDub

 
Just noticed cutting and pasting a bullet list didn't work, serves me right for writing the post in Word.  Anyway, the list of unis is fixed now.

The other way to get into the industry is by getting a job in one of the studio's support departments, you know, IT support, facilities, HR, all that sort of stuff. 

Avatar image for monkeygekko
MonkeyGekko

279

Forum Posts

148

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

#8  Edited By MonkeyGekko

I think about a MA degree in 3D CGI at Kingston University in London, which will be build on the BA degree in CG Artist in doing at the moment.

Avatar image for ediscool
EdIsCool

1140

Forum Posts

112

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 2

#9  Edited By EdIsCool

I am doing Computer Games Development in IT Carlow , Republic Of Ireland a course developed with Microsoft. 
It was the first games development course in the country and still the only designed from the ground up for game development.The others in the country tacked games onto a multimedia or computer science course.
Im in my 3rd year 6 months of which will be spent in placement.