BSc with Honours in Visual Effects for Games and Real-Time Media Terms and Conditions – 2026 entry

Duration of programme: Standard 4 years, (where students join the programme in year 1) 

Award on successful completion: Bachelor of Arts with Honours 

Location of delivery: Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee 

Accreditation:  TBC

Composition of the programme: 120 SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) credits in each academic year, primarily delivered in modules of 20 credits each, with 3 modules taken in term 1, and 3 in term 2 each year. Years 1 and 2 include a series of 5-10 credit micro credentials which comprise a total of 20 credits each year. In term 2 of year 3 students take a single 60-credit Professional Project module.  A 20-credit independent dissertation and a 40-credit personal project development is included in the final year.

Contact hours and workload: Each academic year typically requires 1200 hours of student effort; on average across the 4 years of this programme, 25% of that time is in lectures, seminars and similar activities; the remainder is independent study and time dedicated to development of assessment projects.

Assessment methods: A variety of assessment methods are used, which include projects, portfolios, written reports, presentations and exams.  

Academic staff: This programme is delivered by staff in the Department of Games Technology and Mathematics in the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business. Staff profiles can be viewed at https://www.abertay.ac.uk/academic-faculties-and-graduate-school/faculty-of-design-informatics-and-business/

Core modules:

Computer Hardware and Operating Systems (CHAOS)

Software Design

Programming with C++

Introduction to Game Development

Games Programming

Audio Design

Graphics Programming

Data Structures and Algorithms 1

Game Programming and System Architectures

Foundations of Visual, Critical, and Film Literacy

Essential Shader Techniques for Realtime Graphics

Interactive Sound and Music Design

Professional Project

Proceduralism and VFX

Professional Development

Audio Programming

Honours Project Dissertation

Honours Project Proposal and Execution

Other modules may be offered, but are subject to change over time.

 

Developments in the discipline

We will offer industry placements as an alternative to DES315 which will align with research projects. 

On the basis of new developments in the industry, we will offer more specialised content and further differentiate this programme from CGT and CGAD. Based on the availability of resources, we will replace some of the shared modules (e.g. CMP102) with VFX and in-engine development content.

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