The University of South Wales (USW) has a Games and Animation department that is recognized across the world as a excellent hub of learning, producing many graduates who have gone on to work for major games development, film and TV companies. The games labs give you access to Unreal Engine 4, Unity 3D, GameMaker, CRYENGINE and specialist software packages such as Adobe CS, Maya, 3DS Max and more. The latest technologies – including VR – are supported, with machines that will help support you in your projects. There are five qualifications offered at the moment at University of South Wales which might be of interest to those looking for a future career in the gaming industry, three of those being undergraduate with two being postgraduate masters schemes.
BA (Hons) Computer Animation
This creative degree is part of the Film & TV School Wales, helping you use the software and train the skills you need to enter the world of film, TV, advertising, VFX or gaming industries. When it comes to gaming, graduates of University South Wales can be found at Rockstar North, Sony (Playstation) and EA Games.
BA (Hons) Computer Games Design
Computer Games Design will give you the practical skills you need to develop and publish video games. It’ll set you up with the ability to create a game from scratch. You’ll be able to start your own studio, or present a porfolio of playable games to future employers. Students from USW have gone on to win Transfuzer, Dare to be Digital, Ffresh and the Global Game Jam, as well as won BAFTA nominations and BAFTA Cymru awards. With graduates at many of the major development studios, USW has a fantastic reputation in the industry.
BA (Hons) Game Art
Game Art is for those who intend to become artists in the game industry, allowing you to hone your skills and work with others on group projects to see your art fully realized in published games.
MA Animation
In addition to the BA in Computer Animation, University of South Wales also offers a BA (Hons) in 2D and stop motion animation, more relevant for those looking to work in the TV and Film Industry. For anyone with a background in animation who is looking to be involved in the media industry, a 1 year Masters degree in Animation can be a boost into film, television, advertising, games, visual novels or mobile fields – so a lot of scope to work with.
MA Games Enterprise
Games Enterprise is an innovative course that develops your design, production and enterprise skills. This also provides knowledge and skills useful to business practices, entrepreneurship and working as a team within the gaming industry.
For full details of each of the above qualifications, including the course details, UCAS points required and how to apply, visit the University of South Wales Games and Animation website.
Check out the USW Games blog to see updates on what the students are currently working on and follow USWGames on Twitter for updates and events. Everyone, whether student or gamer in any capacity is welcome to visit the USW Games Graduate Showcase. Each year this showcases the talent of the current studios and presents their games to the audience. The next event takes place on the 8th June 2018 from 3pm to 9pm (with refreshments at 6pm) at Tramshed Tech in Cardiff.
If you’re thinking about moving to Cardiff for future studies and want to chat to some locals, get yourself over to the Welsh Gaming Network Discord server, where we have a large amount of Cardiff gamers – as well as gamers spread out across the rest of Wales. Get the lowdown from locals on what it’s like to study and live in the city of Cardiff and feel free to pick their brains with any questions you can think of about potentially coming here for university.
