University Help.

[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.

[PaulMacC]

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

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 )

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!