Is a game development degree worth it, or am I better off doing an apprenticeship?

Right now, I'm in my final year of college (level 3), working on my UCAS application. Since I would like to go into game development, I'm conflicted - I asked several people for advice, and they are all saying different things: It's better to go to uni., No - do an apprenticeship. Why don't you do HNC/HND, e.t.c. I'm just about to finish my application, but I'm stuck. Is it really worth going to uni for game development?

Reply 1

aspalax

Universities Forum Helper

Hey! I went to university for Game Art and I now work in the games industry. I completed an internship year 2022-23 that was part of a government backed scheme that required me to be finishing the 2nd year of university. So, in my one-person-experience, my choice to go to uni directly impacted my ability to get into industry.

I would say if you can get an apprenticeship/internship - sure, that's a really great option. But they are highly, highly competitive across the country and you will be competing with people who have probably already got a degree, or may not be eligible due to schemes like the one I did.

It also massively depends on what part of game development you want to get into. Artists are developers, coders are developers, designers are developers.... what is it you want to specialise in? Or are you interested in lots of areas of game development and want to indie dev/ work in a small team?

Generally coders/software engineers have the best odds of getting opportunities like degree apprenticeships etc. If you are more art-leaning you'll be looking at very few opportunities. You will need a very established 3D portfolio with lots of development breakdowns etc.

There are other options outside of "traditional" university, there's lots of online course options these days that certainly can match up to games education you'd get at uni. Obviously they would generally require you to front the cost instead of student loans, though, so it will depend if you are in a position to do that.

I can't speak to HNC/HND's - I don't know too much about them.

Happy to try and answer any other Qs you might have, feel free to reach out.

Reply 2

-vxll4inous-

Original post by aspalax

Hey! I went to university for Game Art and I now work in the games industry. I completed an internship year 2022-23 that was part of a government backed scheme that required me to be finishing the 2nd year of university. So, in my one-person-experience, my choice to go to uni directly impacted my ability to get into industry.
I would say if you can get an apprenticeship/internship - sure, that's a really great option. But they are highly, highly competitive across the country and you will be competing with people who have probably already got a degree, or may not be eligible due to schemes like the one I did.
It also massively depends on what part of game development you want to get into. Artists are developers, coders are developers, designers are developers.... what is it you want to specialise in? Or are you interested in lots of areas of game development and want to indie dev/ work in a small team?
Generally coders/software engineers have the best odds of getting opportunities like degree apprenticeships etc. If you are more art-leaning you'll be looking at very few opportunities. You will need a very established 3D portfolio with lots of development breakdowns etc.
There are other options outside of "traditional" university, there's lots of online course options these days that certainly can match up to games education you'd get at uni. Obviously they would generally require you to front the cost instead of student loans, though, so it will depend if you are in a position to do that.
I can't speak to HNC/HND's - I don't know too much about them.
Happy to try and answer any other Qs you might have, feel free to reach out.

I'm interested in all aspects of game development, so I'd say I'd rather be an indie developer, but my only struggle is finance as I'm not allowed to pay interest on loans for religious reasons.

Reply 3

aspalax

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by -SketchArtist-

I'm interested in all aspects of game development, so I'd say I'd rather be an indie developer, but my only struggle is finance as I'm not allowed to pay interest on loans for religious reasons.

Indie dev will require you to work with publishers and funders etc. I would choose a course that will teach you some business and entrepreneurial skills if that's the route you want to go down. You would be, effectively, starting your own business.

Unless you joined forces with other indie devs- taking less of the risk yourself. I would suggest doing a course either at university or HNC/HND might introduce you to other people who are interested in those same goals as you.

You will gain interest on any student loans. That is unfortunately the nature of practically all loans.

Doing an apprenticeship or internship is less likely to land you with loans but yes - is hyper competitive and will generally require you to specialise. Most places that offer those kinds of schemes are larger companies that will ask you to be particularly skilled in one area.

Reply 4

Thisismyunitsr

Original post by -SketchArtist-

Do an apprenticeship. Even if it's not necessarily in games design doing any apprenticeship in an IT related career would be beneficial. You can always pivot and use the experience to get a job in games later on.

Getting a degree in games design which has limited employment prospects in a very niche field does not exactly bode well in terms of you finding employment later on.