Studying the MSc/PGDip Computer Games Technology course at Abertay

Andrew Heywood, graduate of the University of Abertay Dundee's Skillset Accredited MSc/PGDip Computer Games Technology degree

Andrew Heywood

University of Abertay Dundee
MSc/PGDip Computer Games Technology graduate

What was it originally that attracted you to study there?

I really wanted to work in the games industry, but the theoretical computer science and general software engineering practices I was studying during my undergraduate programme at the University of Edinburgh - although a solid foundation - weren't really going to equip me for that.

In 2003, at the start of my final year, I couldn't see how I was going to find the time and pick up the skills to work on game demos and have a shot at getting into the industry.

I'd been aware of the then-fledgling BSc Games Technology course at Abertay in 2000 when I was originally applying to university, but had been worried it might cause me to over-specialise. I was delighted to discover that Abertay also offered the postgraduate MSc course, and immediately applied, starting it after graduating from my BSc Software Engineering degree in 2004.

Doing case study reports on games companies really helped to build an understanding of what the industry is like and how it works

What was the most important thing you learnt:

a) conceptually?

The course really encouraged us to learn about the overall process of making a game. To think about the whole production cycle, from conception, through various stages of design and production. Doing case study reports on games companies really helped to build an understanding of what the industry is like and how it works.

b) technically?

The chance to spend a whole (academic) year improving my C++ skills, with the relevant tutelage, and creating full, working demos.

What was the most toughest, most challenging thing you encountered?

Bridging the gap between the pure, conceptual software engineering with Java I'd learned during my undergraduate degree, and the reality of writing high-performance C++ code for games. Virtually no-one works with C++ outside of the games/visualisation industry, and there's a good reason for it. It's hard! However, it's necessary if you want to squeeze performance and work at the low level that games often require.

the coursework really held my interest in a way that it hadn't during my previous degree course. It really compelled me to push what I was doing as far as I was able

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

Mainly the chance to work in a creative environment with lots of other like-minded students, essentially pooling our ideas and skills to help each other to improve. The tutoring we received was also generally excellent, and primarily from lecturers who had actually spent time working if not in the games industry, at least with the games industry to develop the course.

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

I found that the coursework really held my interest in a way that it hadn't during my previous degree course. It really compelled me to push what I was doing as far as I was able, instead of just doing enough to get through.

Achieving a Distinction and also gaining entry to (and finally winning an award for) the Dare to be Digital competition were my great successes.

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

No. Although I knew that the course was generally held in high regard within the games industry, being the first of its kind. The original and best!

Find out how Andrew's career developed after studying at Abertay.

And click here for further details of the MSc/PGDip Computer Games Technology degree that Andrew took.

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