Games Programming with Foundation Year

Course overview: This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1. This degree is one of the UK’s leading games programming courses and is well respected by the industry. You have the opportunity to study on this specialist course taught by experienced developers and internationally recognised researchers.

Have you ever looked at your favourite games and thought how they were crafted? Games programmers are the masterminds behind the gameplay elements, graphics, and audio that make games come alive. It's a role that demands an exceptional level of technical skill and creativity. You will acquire the essential skills and knowledge to become a proficient games programmer, armed with a deep understanding of the games industry. Beyond the classroom, you'll participate in a range of extracurricular activities, including game jams, hackathons, and networking events with industry professionals.

Top reasons to study this course at Teesside


1. British Computer Society (BCS) academic membership: get free BCS membership to accelerate your career path with CV builder tools, e-learning courses, mentorships programmes, jobs boards and volunteering opportunities.
2. Industry links: take part in Animex, our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
3. Career-ready: our ExpoSeries of events allow you to showcase your skills to industry professionals who are seeking to recruit new and rising talent.
4. Start-up business support: we support you to develop your own business in games through our innovative Power UP Indie Games Accelerator.


After the course: This course will equip you to embark on a rewarding career in the games industry, bringing your innovative ideas and technical expertise to the forefront of interactive entertainment. You are ideally suited for employment in the games development industry and similar creative industries. A variety of programming roles exist within these industries such as gameplay programmer, tools programmer, middleware developer and mobile application programmer. The course gives you a strong foundation in computer programming, also allowing for a career in mainstream software development.

Our graduates are highly sought after in the games industry securing roles in AAA studios across the country and the globe including Accenture, HMRC, Zerolight, Ubisoft, Creative Assembly, Double 11, Microsoft, Traveller's Tales and many more.

Choosing Teesside University means joining a modern, ambitious university that puts students first. Named Modern University of the Year 2026 (Daily Mail University Guide 2026) and recognised for its outstanding student experience, Teesside combines award-winning teaching with the support you need to succeed.

Based in Middlesbrough, the university has invested millions into creating a vibrant campus packed with industry-standard facilities, study spaces and social hubs. You'll also have access to Adobe Creative Campus tools, helping you build valuable digital skills alongside your degree.

From day one, you'll be part of a welcoming student community with excellent support services, societies, sports clubs and opportunities to boost your career prospects. If you're looking for a university that helps you achieve more and make the most of student life, Teesside could be the perfect fit.