The criteria and stages of games course accreditation

General criteria

Courses covered by the Skillset computer games accreditation scheme can include focused on either: art, graphics and animation; or on technical aspects, including subjects such as algorithm development, technology, computer games, tools programming.

It is unlikely that one course can meaningfully address all of these aspects to a sufficient level of rigour. Accordingly, it is expected that courses will be subjected to the accreditation process using guidelines defined for one of these areas of study.

The courses must be at undergraduate or postgraduate level and meet all or a high percentage of the quality standards and criteria. It is also vital that the course design and development over time must incorporate external industry representation and consultation.

Applications for undergraduate computer games courses

Full guidelines can be downloaded here:

Undergraduate Course Accreditation - Guidelines for Computer Games
(PDF: 172KB)

Stage One

The expression of interest is made by the course provider and then an application form is submitted.

The application is assessed using existing course outlines and module descriptions, measured against all the necessary criteria set out in the accreditation guidelines.

Stage Two

An assessment team, consisting of computer games industry representatives, visits the course providing institution to assess resources and teaching materials, to view student work, and to interview staff and students.

The assessment team focuses on the following areas when processing an application:

Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes describe what students are expected to be able to do as a result of their course.

Course Requirements
The Learning Outcomes are supported by guidance on the Course Requirements – what it is expected courses will contain in order to deliver the Learning Outcomes.

Resources
This describes the resources that providers are expected to need in order to deliver the Course Requirements to the standard described, and to achieve the Learning Outcomes.

Staffing
Similarly, the staffing requirements outline the expectations for the staff teaching and managing the course, especially in relation to their industrial experience and expertise.

Specific criteria for undergraduate computer games course accreditation include:

Technical Path: Programming for Computer Games

• Programming and mathematics for computer games
• Programming low level architecture
• High level games programming
• Game creation processes

Art Path: Digital Art Courses

• Observational drawing
• Visual invention and visual communication
• 2D digital art
• CGI: 3D modelling
• CGI: Texturing
• CGI: Rendering and lighting

Click here to apply for computer games course accreditation.

Applications for postgraduate computer games courses

At postgraduate level assessors will focus less on individual criteria and will examine courses based on the following:

• Industry input in course design
• Tuition by practitioners
• High quality resources
• Commitment to diversity
• Recruitment of suitable candidates
• Student work experience
• Graduate placement in industry

Click here to apply for computer games course accreditation.