UK 2024
TOP 5 video game schools
2024 Ranking of UK Video Game Schools and Studios
A significant player in the video game industry
The United Kingdom is home to many well-known video game development studios such as Rockstar North, Creative Assembly, and Codemasters. According to the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), the video game industry in the UK generated approximately £3.9 billion in sales in 2020, equivalent to €4.4 billion, representing an 11.2% increase from the previous year.
The country is also host to numerous video game industry events, such as the London Games Festival and EGX (formerly known as Eurogamer Expo). For schools, there are the TIGA UK Games Education Awards. The UK has a strong community of gamers and video game fans, with many e-sports competitions and tournaments held each year.
Regarding revenue, the UK ranks fifth in the world for the video game industry, following the USA, Japan, China, and France. However, it should be noted that these figures do not take into account online video game sales, which have grown significantly in recent years and can significantly influence the overall revenue of the video game industry in each country.
TOP 5 UK video GAME SCHOOLS
with the Highest Video Game Job Placement Rates
Mentioning a school ranked beyond the 5th place is a service we offer
TOP 5 uk VIDEO GAME STUDIOS
studios that recruited the most graduates
☆ top 5 video game schools in the UK ☆
Dozens of schools in the United Kingdom offer training programs in video game development, and their students produce game projects, some of which remain confidential.
There are many game development competitions organized in the country, such as the BAFTA Games Awards, the UK Games Fund, and the TIGA Awards. These competitions provide students with an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents and to win prizes and recognition for their projects.
#1 University OF Staffordshire
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
15,190 students, including approx. 800 enrolled in video game programs
Public University
Tuition fees 2024:
Bachelor's £9,250 (UK), £16,750 (non-UK)
Master's £9,830 (UK), £16,750 (non-UK)
The University of Staffordshire opened its first video game program in 1997. Originally specializing in sciences, the university has since expanded its program offerings to include digital arts and has become a recognized player in higher education for video game studies in the United Kingdom. It boasts modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for training in these fields.
In 2019, the University of Staffordshire opened a new campus, the London Digital Institute, entirely dedicated to digital careers, which also offers a BSc in Computer Games Design.
#2 teesside University
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
21,276 students enrolled
Public university
Tuition & fees 2024/25:
Games Art BA (Hons) £9,250 (UK), £17,000 (non-UK)
MA Games Design £7,365 (UK), £17,000 (non-UK)
Teesside University offers a Bachelor of Science in Video Game Development program that aims to equip students with the technical and creative skills required to succeed in the video game industry.
The curriculum covers the use of the latest tools and technologies for developing games on various platforms, as well as game design principles and project management.
Additionally, TU offers other programs related to video game development, such as the Master of Science in Video Game Development and the Master of Science in Video Game Design.
ACADEMICS:
BA (Hons) Games Design
BA (Hons) Games Art
BA (Hons) Concept Art
BA (Hons) Music Production
BSc (Hons) Games Development
BSc (Hons) Games Programming
MA Games Design
MA 3D Games Art
MA Concept Art
MSc Computer Games Programming
STUDENT PROJECTS:
Teesside University students produce around 20 video game projects annually, which are of high quality and available on the Expotees website.
Doorway to Hell (2023). Final major project. Fantasy action-adventure game set in a medieval forest, featuring finely-tuned mechanics and beautifully hyper-realistic scenery.
Mortal Fallacy (2023). Final Year Project. Turn-Based Tactical RPG with a beautifully finished design and sophisticated gameplay.
RECRUITMENT:
The following is a list of the main video game studios that have recruited Teesside University graduates since 2019:
Double Eleven (UK) AA
Radical Forge (UK) AA
Sumo Digital Ltd (UK) AAA
Rockstar Games (UK) AAA
Tanglewood Games (UK) AAA
Rebellion (UK) AAA
Ubisoft Reflections (UK) AAA
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Since 2019, the roles filled by Teesside University graduates in the video game industry are predominantly artistic (63%), with more than half being Game Artists, the highest level in this UK ranking. Among these, the most represented roles are 3D Artist (29%) and Visual Effects Artist (6%).
Additionally, 25% are Game Designers and 12% are programmers.
#3 abertay university
Dundee, Scotland
Over 4,500 students enrolled
Public university
Tuition fees 2024/25:
Bachelor's £1,820 (Scotland), £9,250 (UK), £15,500 (non-UK)
Master's £7,900 (Scotland), £10,200 (UK), £18,000 (non-UK)
Abertay University was the first university in the world to offer a degree in game development and has since become a leader in the field.
Many professionals in the game industry have studied at Abertay, and the university has partnered with leading game companies to provide internship and career opportunities for its students. All of this has contributed to making Abertay one of the most renowned universities in the world for game development education.
ACADEMICS:
BSc Computer Games Applications Development
BSc Computer Games Technology
BA Game Design and Production
BA Computer Arts
MSc Computer Games Technology
MProf Professional Masters in Games Development
STUDENT PROJECTS:
Slipways (2023). High-octane racing video game set in a futuristic, industrial dystopian mega-city. Nominated for the Best Student Game at the TIGA Education Awards 2023.
Deadlocked (2023). Cartoon 2D Top-Down arcade shooter, a Digital Graduate Show project by a Games Design and Production student.
RECRUITMENT:
The following is a list of the main video game studios that have recruited Abertay University alumni since 2019:
Hyper Luminal Games (UK) AA
Build A Rocket Boy (UK) AAA
Rockstar Games (UK) AAA
Rockstar Dundee (UK) AAA
Konglomerate Games (UK) AA
Astrodreamer Studio (UK) AA
Playground Games (UK) AAA
Rebellion (UK) AAA
Spliced Inc. (UK) [NetEase Games] AAA
Abertay University graduates who have entered the video game industry since 2019 are primarily employed as Game Designers (37%) and Programmers (31%). Among artistic roles (24%), the most represented are 3D Artists (9%) and Technical Artists (6%).
The proportion of Audio Designers is also significant compared to other schools (8%).
#4 Bournemouth University
Bournemouth, Dorset
17,390 students enrolled
Public university
Tuition & fees 2024/25: Bachelor's: £9,250 (UK), £17,800 (non-UK). Master's: £8,000-£13,750 (UK), £16,000-£18,250 (non-UK)
Bournemouth University has a strong reputation for video game programs. It has a School of Game Design that offers degrees in game design, game programming, game art and game storytelling. The university also has a video game research center called BU GameLab, which focuses on video game research and its impact on society. In addition,
BU regularly hosts events and conferences on video games, and welcomes professionals from the gaming industry to talk about their work and experience.
ACADEMICS:
BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art & Design
BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts
BSc (Hons) Games Design
BSc (Hons) Games Software Engineering
BA (Hons) Visual Effects
BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production
MA 3D Computer Animation
MA Digital Effects
STUDENT PROJECTS:
Rum Runner's Revenge (2023). 2D Platform Puzzle Adventure Pixel Art Game. Nominated for Best Student Game at the TIGA Education Awards 2023.
Insoundiac (2023). Fast-paced Boss-Rush Rhythm-Shooter. Final year project
RECRUITMENT:
The following is a list of the main video game studios that have hired Bournemouth University graduates since 2019:
Frontier Developments (UK) AAA
Rockstar Games (UK) AAA
Supermassive Games Ltd (UK) AAA
Climax Studios (UK) AAA
Electronic Arts (EA)
Creative Assembly (UK) AAA
Criterion Games (UK [Electronic Arts (EA)]
Sharkmob (UK) AAA
Electric Square (UK) AAA
The profiles of Bournemouth University graduates who have entered the video game industry since 2019 are predominantly art-oriented, with 69% of positions being held in this field, including a significant number of Technical Artists (11%).
The other well-represented artistic roles include Visual Effects Artists (19%) and 3D Artists (17%). The proportion of Sound Designers is also relatively high at 12%.
#5 University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, Hertfordshire
25.520 students (2020)
Public university
Fees 2024 :
BA (Hons) 3D Games Art & Design : EU and Int’l Students £15500
MA Games Art and Design : EU and Int’l Students £16450
ACADEMICS:
BA (Hons) Games Design and Development
BA (Hons) 3D Games Art & Design (3 years)
MA Games Art and Design
MSc Music and Sound for Film and Games
STUDENT PROJECTS:
My Shadow (2023). Horror game set inside a Dollhouse in the 1940s. Nominated for Best Student Game at the TIGA Education Awards 2023.
Blutgeld (2022). Third-Person Action-Adventure Game set in the past on a new continent. Third Year Games Art project.
RECRUITMENT:
Main video game studios that have recruited University of Hertfordshire alumni since 2019:
Supermassive Games Ltd (UK) AAA
Rebellion (UK) indie AAA / AA+
Digital Salmon (UK)
Universally Speaking (UK) AAA
Ubisoft Singapore AAA
Creative Assembly (UK) AAA
Rocksteady Studios Ltd (UK) AAA
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Two-thirds (66%) of University of Hertfordshire graduates who have entered the video game industry since 2019 hold artistic roles. Among these, the most represented professions are Character Artists (15%) and 3D Artists (14%).
Notably, the proportion of Audio Designers (19%) is the highest among all the schools reviewed by GAMEducation.