High-Performance Graphics and Games Engineering MSc

Course overview

By studying this Masters degree, you’ll be well placed to join one of the most performance-driven applications of computer science – the multi-billion pound global games industry. As a graduate, you'll work at the top-end of the games industry, developing computer graphics on high-performance platforms or writing engines for the next generation of games.

Developed in collaboration with a prestigious steering group, this course will build on your computer science knowledge to specialise in computer graphics, where programmers must push computing resources to the limit, using deep understanding of architecture and high-performance programming to generate new levels of graphical realism and visual effects on cutting-edge hardware platforms.

You’ll gain proficiency in low-level programming, a thorough understanding of multi-core and many-core programming techniques, game engine and tool development techniques, and fundamental insight into graphics and the practical techniques used in games.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in computer science. We require all applicants to have studied a breadth of relevant modules including significant programming (including C++), systems development, data structures and algorithms, with strong marks across all these modules.

Prior exposure to the mathematics relevant to computer graphics, in particular linear algebra, is strongly recommended.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in other computing-based degrees
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Engineering (6 weeks) and Language for Science: Engineering (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Career opportunities

There is a shortage of highly skilled graduates in this field, so once you’ve completed this course it’s likely that you'll be in demand.

You’ll be well placed to join the multi-billion-pound global games industry, in positions such as a software developer, technology leader for graphics and rendering, a games development leader or a technical director. You’ll be expected to progress rapidly into leadership roles, becoming the ‘go to’ person for expertise in graphics technologies.

Outside the games industry, the programming skills you develop during this course could allow you to secure a position in other performance-driven industries, for example, embedded systems. Your computer graphics expertise could lead to opportunities in the animation and visual production industries.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.