GamesDegree Home -> Maths requirements
This is a page of information about the Maths requirements for BSc Games Programming.
Games Programming degree includes a fair bit of maths, since that is an important skill for a games programmer and has been enthusiastically welcomed by the games companies that many of our ex-students have gone to work for. A reasonable base level of maths is therefore required for students joining the course.
Ideally, a candidate would have an AS-level in maths or a mathematical subject such as physics, or some other comparable post-16 qualification. However, we recognise that a number of candidates may have some mathematical ability without formal training, or may have the motivation to study maths before the course. In previous years, we have catered for such candidates by providing our own maths entry test.
The problem with this system was that studying the maths was interfering with many students' formal study at school or college. It would be easier for them to study over the summer, after completing post-16 qualifications. This would require a test in September which would be too late for us to use as an acceptance requirement for the course.
With these problems in mind, we have decided to drop a formal maths requirement. However, this does not mean that the course does not require a competence in mathematics. Instead, we are leaving the judgement of a candidate's maths ability up to the candidate. Any student with AS maths is definitely suitable. Students without an AS in maths are strongly recommended and expected to carry out some further study before attending the degree.
One option is to study an AS in maths. Of course, this may not be practical. Another option is to study the material that will be needed for the course. You do not need to study all of the AS syllabus - just the sections that we expect you to need for our course. The details of this are given at: http://computing.unn.ac.uk/GamesDegree/syllabus.html
Studying maths is not the only requirement for the course. Everybody must apply formally through our admissions department (email: et.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk), who will make offers of places based on your qualifications.
There are many excellent text books for maths at A level, and we have not had chance to review them all. However we would particularly recommend EDEXCEL Modular Mathematics Core Mathematics 1 and EDEXCEL Modular Mathematics Core Mathematics 2 (ISBNs 978-0435519100 and 978-0435519117). They can be bought at many good bookshops or through online stores, here are links to the books on Amazon (C1 C2). Our syllabus covers chapters 1,2,3,5,7 and 8 of the C1 book, and chapters 2,3,4,6 and 10 of the C2 book.
Only you know your own study strengths and weaknesses. This may be the first time you have been asked to learn under your own initiative. You may do fine, or you may struggle. You may find it useful to seek help. This may be from a relative, a willing teacher at school, or through paid private tuition - which you should be able to find through the yellow pages. Any reasonable maths tutor, when given the list on the syllabus page will know exactly what is needed. Unfortunately we are unable to provide tuition support for the test, except through the marking of the sample paper.
To give you an idea of your ability, you can try the sample test provided here. You should be able to get 50% under exam conditions. If you want to try another test we can email one to you – contact us using the contact details below. You are welcome to post a completed exam to us and we will mark it for you to give you an indication of your ability.
If you have any questions about the test which are not answered here, please contact Chris Rook (c.rook@northumbria.ac.uk)