Learn how games are designed and developed in the exciting world of the computer games industry.
Outside of London, Manchester is home to more games companies than any other UK city (source: UKIE, 2023). Thanks to organisations such as Gameopolis, the city is a driving force for building and coordinating the future of the games industry.
With our MSc in Computer Games Development, you’ll gain the skills required for an exciting career within this growing industry, both here in Manchester and beyond. You’ll learn the core essentials of programming for games and you’ll conduct playtesting sessions and user research to ensure that your games are fun, impactful, and that they effectively reach their target audience.
You will also complete a masters project. While you’ll have plenty of support along the way, it’s a solo research projec...
1 year (full-time)
2 years (full-time with placement)
2 years (part-time)
On our masters in computer games development, you’ll study six core units exploring the exciting world of games development from a practical perspective. You’ll also tackle an independent masters project with the support of our academic and technical team.
You can choose to study the course full-time over one-year, or part-time, where you’ll complete the units over two years. You may also choose to take an additional one-year optional industry placement on the full-time route.
Throughout the course, you will gain hands-on, applied experience of developing computer games. As part of this, you’ll explore the practical aspects of game development, from programming to using industry-standard game development tools such as Unity and Unreal Engine.
We will introduce you to the analytical aspects of the game-making process. We’ll teach you to conduct playtesting sessions and how to use user research to ensure that your games effectively reach their target audience.
In addition to developing your technical skills, you’ll gain key employability skills such as team working, report writing, project management, asset management, communication, and negotiation skills.
You’ll be making games throughout the masters course, both individually and in teams. This means, with the support of our passionate games-focused staff at Manchester Met, you will be able to build a refined and diverse portfolio of games to help you work towards securing a job in the games industry.
Finally, you will complete an in-depth research project. With guidance from your tutors, you’ll undertake a piece of research on a topic of your choice related to your studies. This will involve designing, implementing, and evaluating a substantial piece of software and documenting the research through writing a dissertation.
Chartered Institute of Information Security
Oracle Academy
Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Institute of Coding
The Chartered Institute for IT
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
This course is open to anyone with a UK honours degree in a STEM or games related subject – at least a 2:2 – or the international equivalent. We might also consider your application if you a have a relevant lower-level qualification, together with substantial professional experience in a related field.
International students please see mmu.ac.uk/international
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
Full-time fee: £9,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £1584 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Full-time fee: £18,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £3084 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Optional estimate: £1850
Following completion of the academic credits for your MSc award, this course is available with an optional one-year placement in your second year. The industry placement allows you to gain additional practice credits by working in an industry setting, relevant to your studies.
Students who do a placement year will be required to pay a placement fee of £1,850.
Optional estimate: £30
Students can choose to join the BCS at any point in their study. It is not required but is useful. The charge is £20 for one year and £30 for four years. More information can be found on the membership page of their website.
Optional estimate: £400
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, many students choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop up to £100 for books and printing.
With the practical skills and knowledge that you’ll develop with us, you’ll be ready to pursue an exciting career in the games industry. You’ll be able to apply for roles such as game developer, game programmer, game designer, game tool programmer, and project manager.
The transferable knowledge and skills which you’ll learn will also allow you to pursue more general, non-games-related IT, computing and software development roles. This ensures you’re able to build a long-lasting, sustainable career in the industry.
Careers support is available from the moment you join us, throughout your time here, and for up to three years after the completion of your course. We have a range of services available through the Department of Computing and Mathematics and the University University Careers Service including dedicated careers and employability advisors.
Please contact our course enquiries team.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme Review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the
changes section of our Terms and Conditions .
Important Notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
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The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
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in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
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