Games development is a big industry in Brisbane, but the demand for graduate programmers is limited to those with top coding skills. This study plan aims to give you the hard-core technical skills to succeed as a games developer, but enough general skills to be able to work in any area of software development. Courses include physics, a strong dose of mathematics, 3D graphics and C++ programming.

Another option worth considering is a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering -- not only can you fit in all the courses for a strong start in games development, but you have many other career options open to you.

For the design side, this major also offers some electives drawn from the multimedia side of the School.

If your interests are more on the design than programming side, consider either the Multimedia major in the IT degree or (with even less programming), the Bachelor of Multimedia Design.

Unsure? There are paths to move sideways between all of the options. If you do BInfTech and add in some physics and calculus to meet requirements of the BE, you can switch sideways to the BE (subject to GPA and other entry requirements). There is enough overlap between the first year programs of all the degrees that it is generally possible to move after the first year losing little if any credit, especially if you choose electives carefully.

Here is a picture which illustrates your options.

Career options

Games development and general software development, including areas needing relatively advanced skills.

Employers are looking for well-rounded graduates with knowledge of the traditional subjects, not just the latest software packages. In September 2007, the head recruiter for a major international computer and video games developer in the UK was quoted in the Times Higher Education Supplement newspaper as saying games-only degrees are too narrow.  His company tests potential recruits in maths and programming and finds that those who have studied computer science and maths to some depth do better and get the jobs.  He went on to say that games degrees are not readily transferable to other industries.  That's why at UQ we offer the hard-core technical skills to succeed as a games developer, but enough general skills to be able to work in any area of software development.

Click here to view the Games Modelling study plan.