I want to break into the Computer games design industry!

Requirements

* Strong C++ knowledge and experience.
* Comprehensive 3D math skills.
* Good knowledge and awareness of the 3D graphics pipeline.

Additional

* Vertex and Pixel shader knowledge (preferably HLSL) would be useful.
* Good documenting ability.
* Enthusiasm for games.
* Interest in cars.
* Good communication skills.
* Self-motivated.
* Willingness to learn and expand your skill set.

Things we like to see...

* Enthusiasm; a real love for the work.
* Talent - this is far more important than qualifications for us!
* Commitment to both the product and the team.
* The ability to see a project through to the end.
* Ability to work under time pressure
* An honest CV, and a good demo/samples of work.

Things we don't particularly look for:

* Games industry experience.
* Qualifications in the relevant subject (they can help, but aren't essential!).

uhm.. wont you need a level maths for comp sci?

You're probably best steering clear of actual Computer Games Design courses because if you change your mind then you're stuck with doing Games Design anyway. At least if you do Computer Science you're still getting your grounding in programming but you'll have the choice to change your mind in the future.

I'm doing the Computer BTEC and we were advised to steer away from Computer Games Design even if it's what we want in the future as Computer Science is just as accepted by the games industry.

Should I go back to college next year and study something to do with computer game writing (such as C++ or Java?)

Just a quick recommendation- if you have next to no experience of programming, download Microsoft XNA and the appropriate Visual Studio packages (google XNA, Microsoft will tell you everything you need). It's a truly awesome game development tool, it's what's taught me pretty much everything that I know about programming so far and I owe it a heck of a lot.

It's really good for finding out what you can expect in terms of programming commercial games because, while getting rid of the fiddly low-level code that you have associated with writing games straight in C++, it is designed for writing games in and such has a huge array of tutorials available online to guide you through the basics. You won't be writing Crysis 2 in it, but you'll learn enough about writing games to have a pretty good feeling about whether you enjoy it enough to pursue it as a career.

I disagree, but thats merely because I believe to learn what you need for the job as quick as possible. I would get knee-deep with C/C++ and learning just about everything about programming from these. You may not be making games, but you will learn how programming works.

A commonly held opinion, but one I disagree with. Any good Games "Design" degree will teach you the skills required to convert to an area in Computer Science; just as any good Computer Science degree will offer the contrary.

This is true; but if somebody has a strong interest in games specifically, they might get bored studying a CS degree. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to dedicate 3 years of my life to something, I'd much rather it was interesting (given the choice).

C++ is the main language of the games industry - if you're going to study anything, make sure that it reflects this.