Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
Students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to understand how computers work and can be used to model the physical behaviour of real world objects. This course in Computer Games Programming enables students to appreciate the programming considerations that arise with different game genres such as adventure, First Person Shooter (FPS), Role Playing Games (RPGs), strategy, fighting and sports games.
Students will play and critique a variety of games on a selection of popular platforms (e.g., X-Box, PS3, PC, etc.); use specialised game engine tools to create their own game components (levels, maps, characters, etc.); write and test their own computer games (2D and 3D), as well as develop important life skills, including effective communication techniques, teamwork and independent learning skills.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Games Analysis and Design
Image Processing
Programming and Design Principles
Fundamentals of Object Oriented Programming
Design Skills
Software Architecture
Computer Systems Hardware
Operating Systems
Maths for Information Technology
Communications
Work Experience
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M0529 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
The games industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and opportunities are plentiful in Ireland and abroad. Examples of job titles include animator, background artist, game programmer, engine programmer, modeller, designer, script writer and game tester. Current skills shortages means employment is virtually guaranteed, particularly for degree level graduates.