Computer games developer

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

• computer games design
• computer games development
• computer science
• interactive media
• mathematics

If you'd like a job that includes game design as well as programming, you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like animation or graphic design.

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a college course before moving on to a higher level qualification. It may help you to get a trainee position with a development company.

Courses include:

• computing
• creative media and games development
• T Level in Digital Software Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Higher Apprenticeship to get into this career, such as:

• Software Developer Level 4
• Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
• Game Programmer Level 7 - postgraduate level

Foundation apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant developer role by doing a Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

• have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• are in care or have been in care
• are in prison or have been in prison

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start with a company as a games tester if you play a lot of games.

You'll usually need a computing qualification or some relevant work experience. Employers will also be interested in your talent and creative ideas.

Career Tips

You can create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.

You can get information on how to start creating your own games from Into Games .

You can also search for games companies and educational institutions , offering courses in digital gaming, on the UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) games map.

Further Information

You can get more advice about working in games development from ScreenSkills and Into Games .

As a games developer, you could work in a number of specialisms from gameplay programming to virtual reality (VR). You could:

• work with level designers and graphic artists
• decide what a game will look like and how it will be played
• create concept art, drawings or storyboards at the planning stage
• use computer modelling and animation software to make characters and scenes
• add audio and sound effects
• write code to programme the game
• fix problems and 'bugs' that testers have found

You could work in a creative studio or in an office.