struggling to get into gaming uni

[Mighty Lighty]

I am currently a English sixth former and is currently uni hunting, I recently found a game design course a teeside university and am hoping to apply, may main problem is that my parents disapprove and think the course is too narrow a subject and has little career options.

What I'm asking for is some arguments I can persuade them with, plus any opinions on teeside or what may be useful to know would be much appreciated.

p.s I am working at a C grade in politics, biology, psychology an sociology

 

[Ando85]

To be perfectly honest, you'd probably be better off with a computer science degree or some sort of information technology course with a module on games development. Game design courses are notoriously narrow, and in university, breadth of education can be all the difference between getting a job and being on the dole. Ultimately, there are only so many game design jobs out there, and you probably will need to have a supplemental income while you're waiting for your dream job.

I agree here. I recall having a dream to become a game designer, but then I realized I should be more realistic. If you can't find a gaming job off the bat, if you have a broader range of things you are qualified for the better. This way you will be able to get a different job and gain much needed experience if gaming doesn't pan out, but you never shut the door on the idea later on.

In today's economy I have found beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Killermud]

I'm hopefully attending Teesside Uni this September, for Games Programming and i've had the same discussion with my parents who wanted me to do Comp Sci instead. The way I managed to convince them is by actually showing them, we went to an open day and they were thoroughly impressed with the campus and facilities. Also Teesside Uni is pretty well connected with the games industry which quite a lot of other university are not. Which also brings me to the course quality, many universities offer 'Games Design' courses which don't actually have a lot to do with Games Design even Peter Molyneux says this :

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104413-U-K-Devs-Say-Videogame-Courses-at-Universities-Are-Bunk

However Teesside's course I think does fit what Mr. Molyneux says by offering a bit of programming, some art and animation.

Anyway my advice is attend one of their open days with your parents and hope they change their minds.

P.S. If you do go to Teesside to study Games Design and get your degree it will only help you get a job, without anything else to show you most likely wont get a job as a designer. So I'd recommend you start working on projects, for example grab Game Maker 8 and make yourself a game. Build a portfolio it will help you immensely when you go look for a job.

Hope this helps!

 

[SckizoBoy]

P.S. If you do go to Teesside to study Games Design and get your degree it will only help you get a job, without anything else to show you most likely wont get a job as a designer. So I'd recommend you start working on projects, for example grab Game Maker 8 and make yourself a game. Build a portfolio it will help you immensely when you go look for a job.

Definitely recommend this, design a whole load of simple games (and you might learn which part of game design you're best at/enjoy most/most suited to) and get concept designs down as well (the more diverse, the better). However, I, like the good Mr Rak, would recommend doing CompSci or CompEng at uni, with a research/final year project in game design. Then, if you still believe it's for you, spend another year doing a Masters which will allow you to specialise massively.

After that, the two degrees will help you get a job in the gaming industry and even if you can't, the CompSci degree is a bonus for getting related work and is generally more applicant friendly.

Good luck.

 

[Zantos]

The problem with gaming courses in the UK is that there's only about 6 that are accredited, out of about 60. Go down the CompSci route, you'll get plenty of options to do game related things and at the end of the day if you've decided in 3 years you don't want to go into games then you haven't pidgeon holed yourself.

I'd say even for your grades Teeside is a bit, well, naff. I think Salford have a pretty decent comp department.

 

[aba1]

To be honest I find you uni to be terrible for game design college is much better. Uni tends to teach theory and have mostly lectures while college you get right into it and actually start developing.

Your school system might be a little different I am from Canada