University Help.

[PaulMacC]

Greetings.
I was planning to go to University for Games Development. I actually had a nice University pick out here for the course - http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=6996 - It says no actual specific A-Levels required . I went to an interview evening tonight and another guy from Queens University told me that I was 3 steps behind people if I applied without Physics or Maths @ A-Level. The courses at Queens Uni requires Maths or Physics but the one at University of Ulster (One I was looking at) doesnt require it. Would I have an equal chance of getting into the course of someone who does have Maths/Physics @ A-Level. They do not specify any exact A-Levels. I'm really put down by this, he even told my friend to look for a career in media or ICT as he wont make it in Games Dev w/o Maths or Physics.

[Jordy]

Possibly but you have to bare in mind Games Development is an incredibly competitive industry and degrees in it do not help your chances that much. Degrees aren't what game developers are looking for and there's far too many people with them who can't find jobs in the gaming industry. My suggestions would of been to start coding at an early age with Flash or iPhone Applications and then hopefully a game developer would notice you. More and more often, game developers are moving to Asia where people are just as skilled but work for less. I can see why people would want to work in the gaming industry, but judging by how difficult it is to get into it, is it really that desirable? And also, without Physics or Maths you're just making it even more difficult for yourself. Maths & Physics generally show skills in computing (mathematically minded people excel at computing), and computer skills therefore help with game developing.

Just my thoughts on the game industry from what I've seen and heard.

[PaulMacC]

True but I know people who do Physics and Maths that are terrible with computers. What I was asking is even though the course specifies no exact A-Level's would they take someone with a Physics/Maths A-Level over myself.

[Jordy]

True but I know people who do Physics and Maths that are terrible with computers. What I was asking is even though the course specifies no exact A-Level's would they take someone with a Physics/Maths A-Level over myself.I would say so yes, although it would probably depend somewhat on what you took and the grades you both got. Maths & Physics are among the most difficult A Levels and therefore valued as more.

If they got an A in Maths and Physics, chances are, whatever you took and whatever grade you got, they would get in over you.

[PaulMacC]

I would say so yes, although it would probably depend somewhat on what you took and the grades you both got. Maths & Physics are among the most difficult A Levels and therefore valued as more.

If they got an A in Maths and Physics, chances are, whatever you took and whatever grade you got, they would get in over you.
I'm not too great at Maths. I got a B at GCSE and didnt understand some stuff. Would you say it would be beneficial to apply for the Uni place and if I dont get it just go to a FE College and sit a A-Level Maths course?

[Catzsy]

I'm not too great at Maths. I got a B at GCSE and didnt understand some stuff. Would you say it would be beneficial to apply for the Uni place and if I dont get it just go to a FE College and sit a A-Level Maths course?

I would say that would be very sensible to apply to the University that suits your academic capabilities which by the sound of it is the Ulster one that doesn't require the A grades. Have you already got A levels or or you studying them at the moment?

[PaulMacC]

I would say that would be very sensible to apply to the University that suits your academic capabilities which by the sound of it is the Ulster one that doesn't require the A grades. Have you already got A levels or or you studying them at the moment?
Yeah, I'm about to hit the end of my ASLevel's at the moment. I'm studying Politics, Business and ICT.
The prospectus for University of Ulster says: 260 UCAS Points, Grades BC Including One Subject - Maths, Physics, Chemistry, IT, Biology, ICT or Engineering. Would I be able to apply for multiple courses just incase I do not get into one. Computer Science says it does not require any specific A-Levels. Information Communication Tech requires ICT which I am doing. I dont want to apply and then get accepted into ICT because I am doing ICT @ A-Level and not the other subjects. I'm trying to say I dont want apply and get put into Info Com Tech because they think I'd be best suited for it. I'd like to do Comp Sci or Games Dev ;P

University of Ulster
Computers Games Development - 260 Points - BC Grades - Science/Tech/Maths/IT
Computer Science - 260 Points - BC Grades - All Subjects Considered

Do you think I'd have a chance at getting into any of the above with around A/B A-Level grades/

[Jordy]

I'm not too great at Maths. I got a B at GCSE and didnt understand some stuff. Would you say it would be beneficial to apply for the Uni place and if I dont get it just go to a FE College and sit a A-Level Maths course?Yeah that sounds like a good backup plan should you not get the place. I would also agree with what Catzsy says.

And yes I think you do stand a good chance of getting in :)

[Catzsy]

Yeah, I'm about to hit the end of my ASLevel's at the moment. I'm studying Politics, Business and ICT.
The prospectus for University of Ulster says: 260 UCAS Points, Grades BC Including One Subject - Maths, Physics, Chemistry, IT, Biology, ICT or Engineering. Would I be able to apply for multiple courses just incase I do not get into one. Computer Science says it does not require any specific A-Levels. Information Communication Tech requires ICT which I am doing. I dont want to apply and then get accepted into ICT because I am doing ICT @ A-Level and not the other subjects. I'm trying to say I dont want apply and get put into Info Com Tech because they think I'd be best suited for it. I'd like to do Comp Sci or Games Dev ;P

University of Ulster
Computers Games Development - 260 Points - BC Grades - Science/Tech/Maths/IT
Computer Science - 260 Points - BC Grades - All Subjects Considered

Do you think I'd have a chance at getting into any of the above with around A/B A-Level grades/

Well you can apply for more than one course - I would check what else is on offer that interest you. A friend of mine applied for BSC Business and actually got in on that. When he went to the induction day he realised that the maths required would be not to his liking so he asked to be transfered to the BA (Hons) Business and they were happy to oblige.
260 points is the minimum you need but I would say it is going to be quite tough this year but I would say that A/B grades would be fine. Also what you should consider that there are still going to be a great demand for Sciences, business and Law Graduates which would include ICT so that would be a good path to go down. As far as computer games development is concerned it is a hard profession to get into but alternatives to that is a career in teaching it yourself once you have an honours degree. If there didn't seem to be many posts available you could apply to go on a Post Graduate Certificate of Education Course for FE and HE or the Cert Ed for Schools. Your personal tutor should be able to help and advise you too as well as helping with UCAS proposals.

[PaulMacC]

A lot of the games development can be applied to stuff outside of games. I know people who've done Games Dev and ended up working for Software companies.

[Callum.]

Obviously I don't know you personally and all but you seem to much like a kid who likes video games. The whole "good life" where you get a job you think is amazing like a game developer or whatnot.
Especially for the coming years, uni is going to be so competetive. There's probably so many students who already know coding who'd be so far above you. Without maths or physics then you're obviously at a huge disadvantage but it's still very possible to get in.

[PaulMacC]

Obviously I don't know you personally and all but you seem to much like a kid who likes video games. The whole "good life" where you get a job you think is amazing like a game developer or whatnot.
Especially for the coming years, uni is going to be so competetive. There's probably so many students who already know coding who'd be so far above you. Without maths or physics then you're obviously at a huge disadvantage but it's still very possible to get in.
My idea of produce a game is staring at a screen with a bunch of random letters and numbers of it, if you think I'm going for an approach of making something up in a Microsoft Publisher template then I'm not, I'm actually in process of self-teaching some C# to myself now, I've got 2 years to learn it. I'm serious about this, I know the economy is rough and if anything it will take multiple years to get a job in the industry, there may be a chance I will not get one at all. I'm prepared to take the risk, just want to get into this course so I can learn about it. I dont mind Comp Sci either, I've always wanted to go into some sort of programming career.

[Catzsy]

A lot of the games development can be applied to stuff outside of games. I know people who've done Games Dev and ended up working for Software companies.

Well that sounds all good then. You have done your research. :D

[PaulMacC]

Well that sounds all good then. You have done your research. :D
I think I'm going to apply for Comp Sci @ University of Ulster and Comp Sci @ Queens.
Both require one of the following subjects: Maths, Physics, Biology, ICT, IT, Engineering or Chemistry.
I do ICT so I figure if I apply for both I'll have a better chance to get in. I guess all I can do now is getting good grades. Hoping for AAA-BBC
Computer Science is more practical and versatile.

[Catzsy]

I think I'm going to apply for Comp Sci @ University of Ulster and Comp Sci @ Queens.
Both require one of the following subjects: Maths, Physics, Biology, ICT, IT, Engineering or Chemistry.
I do ICT so I figure if I apply for both I'll have a better chance to get in. I guess all I can do now is getting good grades. Hoping for AAA-BBC
Computer Science is more practical and versatile.


Yes well you will need to say which is your first choice on the forms so best to plump for the one you have the best chance of getting into.

[Callum.]

I think I'm going to apply for Comp Sci @ University of Ulster and Comp Sci @ Queens.
Both require one of the following subjects: Maths, Physics, Biology, ICT, IT, Engineering or Chemistry.
I do ICT so I figure if I apply for both I'll have a better chance to get in. I guess all I can do now is getting good grades. Hoping for AAA-BBC
Computer Science is more practical and versatile.

Good idea. You can have far more prospects with comp science opposed to game dev. You've obviously had a good look around, now just find a few other unis that can be insurance incase you don't get what Queen's want.
Good luck with it all. Just make sure you start revising from easter time for your subjects, have a good personal statement next year and get good AS and you should be fine. Just remember it's going to be extremely competitive.

[Angel-Light]

Computing Science mostly has programming in it. Currently I'm in my 2nd year and about 80% has been programming in Java and other 20% has been other topics in relation to programming (XML, User Accessibility, Systems and Info Systems)

As I said in the othr thread I would suggest doing a Computing Science degree than specifically going for a programming degree like Software Engineering (That was the advice I was given by my Computing Advisor at uni :P)

Good luck on finding a Uni to suit your needs Paul :)

[DarrylKC]

Hi Paul,
I was passed a link to this thread by a colleague.
I'm the course co-ordinator and lecturer on the games course that you have linked to. If you want to find out more about the course feel free to email me at [email protected] (Darryl Charles).

I've been teaching game development at the University of Ulster for about 8 years now, so I've considered many of the issues debated in this thread.

With regards to having Physics and Maths A-levels; our course doesn't have this as a prerequisite but we teach these topics on the course. Our course is strongly software engineering based and teaches core computing skills while allowing students to specialise in game development. In this way we believe that we are preparing our students for the IT industry in general - with a key skill in programming - however, we also give students an opportunity to take a first serious step towards getting a job in the games industry. In any case, learning to program while making games can be a lot more fun for many people than learning to program in many other contexts.

It is worth pointing out that not all games programming jobs require strong Maths and Physics - for example, there are roles for tool set builders, and aspects of level creation. Not all games are hardcore, triple-A style games either - more and more games are being made for the casual game market: phones, web, etc. It is also much more possible now for a few individuals to just start making games at home without having high level knowledge on Physics and Maths - but to either be a great programmer or a fantastic artist.

I hope that some of this is helpful.
Darryl

[PaulMacC]

Hi Paul,
I was passed a link to this thread by a colleague.
I'm the course co-ordinator and lecturer on the games course that you have linked to. If you want to find out more about the course feel free to email me at [email protected] (Darryl Charles).

I've been teaching game development at the University of Ulster for about 8 years now, so I've considered many of the issues debated in this thread.

With regards to having Physics and Maths A-levels; our course doesn't have this as a prerequisite but we teach these topics on the course. Our course is strongly software engineering based and teaches core computing skills while allowing students to specialise in game development. In this way we believe that we are preparing our students for the IT industry in general - with a key skill in programming - however, we also give students an opportunity to take a first serious step towards getting a job in the games industry. In any case, learning to program while making games can be a lot more fun for many people than learning to program in many other contexts.

It is worth pointing out that not all games programming jobs require strong Maths and Physics - for example, there are roles for tool set builders, and aspects of level creation. Not all games are hardcore, triple-A style games either - more and more games are being made for the casual game market: phones, web, etc. It is also much more possible now for a few individuals to just start making games at home without having high level knowledge on Physics and Maths - but to either be a great programmer or a fantastic artist.

I hope that some of this is helpful.
Darryl
Wow, thank you so much, signing up just to reply to this.
That information is extremely helpful to me, thanks. I've also dropped you an email just for some more information but once again.
Thanks.

[Catzsy]

Wow, thank you so much, signing up just to reply to this.
That information is extremely helpful to me, thanks. I've also dropped you an email just for some more information but once again.
Thanks.

I think this is just fantastic. He seems really amazing! :D