A question about games programming

[ultimateownage]

I think they'll probably assume you've self-learned some programming, but I doubt that's mandatory. They don't usually look for qualifications specifically when applying for those types of jobs, so it would be more useful to take a more vague and all-encompassing course than that.

 

[Darkgoosey666]

A level ICT wont set you back because its all like ICT in the workplace but possibly the maths and physics could of helped,
(i dunno if you diddnt take them or not)

Ok Im just going to list my Gcses and A levels.

Gcse- english language- A
-Literature- A*
-Maths- B
-Physics- A
-Geography- A*
-History- A
- Drama- C
-Business studies- B
-Biology- B

A level- (currently doing)

Geography
Drama
Literature
Business studies
English language ( stopped after AS level)

For the above A level subjects i also did the AS course that comes before.

You'd be better off doing computer science, rather than a games programming course at university if you're serious about wanting to be a programmer / software engineer. However, your A-level choices are dreadful and the decent comp sci courses will want you to have done A-level maths and/or physics. You don't need to do ICT or computing though, they're basically a waste of time.

My A level choices are a result of me not knowing what the hell i wanted to do at Uni or beyond, so i chose the subjects that interested me/ i was good at. The uni's i have looked at so far ( even high end ones) generally just ask for at least a C in GCSE maths so i should be covered there.

 

[oktalist]

Chris, do you mind me asking what grades you got at AS level and what you're predicted for A2 level? If you get the grades to go to a better uni then you might as well do that. I wouldn't see the point of taking a course for which you are overqualified.

The lack of any maths or science A level might be a problem, but your GCSEs are quite impressive, as is the number of A levels you are taking, especially since you didn't mention the abominable General Studies. The comp sci course I did just had an extra maths module for people who hadn't got at least a C in A level maths, to bring them up to the necessary level.

It occurs to me to ask whether you're sure you want to do programming. Taking those A levels as an indication of your favourite subjects, you might be more suited to a games design role, which has very little to do with programming. Not sure what degree course would be best for that, though.

If you do want to do programming, then I agree with the others who said to go for a straight computer science or software engineering course rather than games programming. I don't think a games programming course would teach you anything useful in addition to what you would learn on one of those other courses. That's what I did and when I interviewed for my first job the guy (who was lead programmer at this games company) said I made the right choice. Actually I didn't even complete my degree, but I impressed him with my knowledge of C and algorithms.

And finally: