University of the West of England’s games course achieves TIGA Accreditation

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, is pleased to announce the re-accreditation of the following games course at the University of the West of England:

BSc (Hons) Games Technology – Accredited

The TIGA Accreditation Team was impressed by numerous examples of best practice:
 

1. The course has a clear vision for graduate attributes and is strongly focused on enabling students to secure employment in the games industry or apply their skills within adjacent sectors.
2. The redesigned course is coherent and aligns learning outcomes well with course values and future industry expectations. In contrast to the previous course structure, all modules are now core. The move to an all-core structure provides a consistent student experience, while the emphasis on assessing the development process alongside the final outcome recognises the importance of planning, experimentation, iteration, technical decision-making, documentation and reflection. This is particularly positive in games technology, where the quality of a finished artefact alone may not fully demonstrate a student’s understanding, problem-solving or professional working practices.
3. Employability is embedded throughout the course, balancing technical skills, such as C++, with transferable skills including problem solving, research, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and teamwork.
4. Simulated industry practice is embedded throughout the course through studio-based modules, live briefs, stand-ups, presentations and group work in each year, including the opportunity to participate in the Global Games Jam.
5. The Commercial Game Development module is a particular strength, enabling students to develop a commercially viable product from pitch to release using appropriate industry tools and professional development practices.
6. The use of scaffolded stretch goals supports students in extending their technical and creative ambitions and excellent that version control using Git is embedded across all years of study.
7. There are strong opportunities for teamwork, interdisciplinary learning and community building through cross-course activity, internal game jams, networking events, playtesting and the final-year expo/showcase.
8. The course has enabled the creation of spin-off studios such as Foggy Box, aPriori Digital, Red Panda Audio, Practical Yolk and Not a Cog Studio.
9. UWE has taken steps to improve diversity. UWE has Athena Swan membership, has Women in Games Ambassadors and embeds diversity topics within taught content.
10. Excellent NSS results and low attrition rates provide positive indicators of the student experience. For example, 94 per cent of students said that the course develops knowledge and skills needed for the future (NSS 2022/23).
11. Access to PS5 development kits provides students with valuable experience of professional development practices, including working under NDA.

• Percentage working after 15 months: 65% (Graduate Outcomes data for 2022/23)
• Percentage employed in games: 53.64% (University data for 2023-25)
• Percentage employed using their game technology skills:   46.36% (University data for 2023-25 - ignoring unknowns)
• Total number of graduates: 106 (University data for 2023-25)
• Unknown destinations: 50% (University data for 2023-25)

• engages with policymakers to create an environment favourable to video games development;
• enhances education and skills through our accreditation programme, the TIGA Games Education Awards and our education conference;
• supports studios to start-up, scale-up and grow;
• celebrates excellence via the TIGA Games Industry Awards;
• conducts primary research into the games industry, surveying hundreds of companies each year about the business environment and health of the sector.