Studying BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology at University of the West of Scotland

Shaun Milne, graduate of the University of the West of Scotland's Skillset Accredited BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree

Shaun Milne

University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology

What was it originally that attracted you to study there?

I had picked up the programming bug pretty early on, so was always going to take something computer science-based when I eventually went to University. I noticed UWS had a focus for some their modules on web games and PS2 development so I was sold.

What was the most important thing you learnt:

a) conceptually?

Conceptually, the object-orientated programming paradigm, design patterns and AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms.

b) technically?

On the technical side, I'd have to say access to the cell broadband engine hardware in our Honours year was awesome, and it was a great challenge to optimise our code to take advantage of the different architecture.

Making a game in 10 weeks from scratch was pretty tough in our degree year, but totally worth the feedback we got from games companies when they saw the demo

What was the toughest, most challenging thing you encountered?

Wow, tough question! Making a game in 10 weeks from scratch was pretty tough in our degree year, but totally worth the feedback we got from games companies when they saw the demo. That was pretty calm compared to the challenge I set myself for my Honours project though, which was to create a small physics engine from scratch. My physics was pretty rusty and it was one area which I lacked knowledge in, so I decided to jump out of the metaphorical plane, and either find a parachute on the way down, or make one myself!

What do you feel were the best parts of your course/university?

UWS is pretty near Glasvegas, so I ended up living the typical student lifestyle of partying hard, and pulling too many all-nighters to mention. I stayed in student accommodation for the first two years, and can highly recommend it, as I met a lot of cool people. The best part of any University is the people inside, and UWS has some really smart, on the pulse lecturers. Lab times were also awesome, bouncing ideas off your fellow classmates to solve tricky programming or game dev problem.

What was the biggest achievement/success on the course for you?

I set myself a goal of attaining a first class honours degree, and I'm quite happy I succeeded! I was also shocked to discover I had received the Court Medal award for my degree year as well. Success++

Did you know that your course was accredited before you went there? Did it matter to you?

I did know, and it made me feel a bit more confident about the quality of content that was going to be delivered on the course.

Find out where Shaun's studies took him next.

And click here for further details of the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree that Shaun took.

Tags: Accredited Computer Games Course, Computer Games, Pick the Tick, Search all Courses