Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc

Break new ground in the application of AI for games.

Key details
Location
Penryn Campus
Course duration
1 year
Attendance
Full-time

Course overview

Are you fascinated by artificial intelligence? Explore its potential through this stimulating, practice-focused MSc course, which will give you not only a deep understanding of how to leverage AI in games but a host of additional skills in the broader games industry.  

At Falmouth, you’ll join people breaking boundaries in the world of gaming as you work with artists and designers in a studio environment, testing and experimenting with cutting-edge techniques. You’ll interrogate the contexts of this new global industry and make your own ideas happen. And with mentoring from renowned researchers, you’ll graduate fully equipped for your career in this revolutionary field.  

You will:

  • Build your skills by devising artificial intelligence for games, both in solo and co-creative contexts  
  • Study in one of the largest dedicated games studio spaces at any UK university, learning from leading researchers in AI and experienced developers and programmers from industry  
  • Engage in studio practice alongside peers from a range of disciplines, attend workshops and practical classes and collaboratively realise game projects  
  • Gain the technical and transferable expertise that will give you a head start in a highly competitive sector 

Course details

On Artificial Intelligence for Games, you’ll not only gain a full knowledge of AI, but skills in the broader games industry context too. Throughout the master’s degree you’ll have opportunities to engage in creative software development tools, game engine architecture and collaboration with other students. You'll conclude your studies with an industry-ready major project portfolio piece.

1

FOR GAME DESIGN IN ENGLAND*

Modules

Development Practice

You’ll deepen your knowledge of game development practices. Working in interdisciplinary teams and employing specialist skills such as C++ programming and git versioning practices, you’ll devise small-scale artefacts. You’ll also carry out a personal reflective case study that will help to enrich and expand your practice. 

(30 credits)


Classical Artificial Intelligence

In this Classical AI module, you’ll investigate and implement ‘classical’ artificial intelligence techniques that are commonly applied to decision-making problems in industry. 

(30 credits)

Modules

Machine Learning

In this module, you’ll employ current machine learning frameworks to analyse data-rich problem spaces. 

(30 credits)

Game Development Project

Working in multidisciplinary teams from across the Games Academy, you’ll envision, design, implement and pitch a game prototype.

(30 credits) 

Modules

Major Project

For the final stage of this Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc, you’ll work on a major research and development project, under the guidance of a supervisor, that showcases your specialist skills. The work produced for this module is expected to be fully realised, polished and of a publishable quality. 

(60 credits) 

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Student in Falmouth University's games academy working on digital illustrations
Games Academy student working at computer

How you'll learn & be assessed

With regularly timetabled support sessions from our course team and project supervision throughout, you’ll learn to produce games to a high standard, collaborating effectively as a member of a game development team and conducting cutting-edge research and development independently.  

  • Demonstrations
  • Studio practice
  • Project supervision
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Practical workshops
  • Crit sessions
  • Tutorials
  • Guest speakers
  • Mentoring

Assessment for the Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc is 100% coursework. Learning is situated in an environment that mirrors the industry, helping to prepare you for working in a game studio environment. 

Assessments are composed of practical activities underpinned by critical analyses of the workflows and practices applied in the module to further support your learning. 

Module leaders and supervisors will be available to guide and support you through your assessments to enhance your relevant technical and academic skillsets. 

Facilities

  • Modern i7 machines.
  • Specialised computing hardware
  • Standard software used in the games industry, including Adobe and Autodesk suites.
  • Access to software.
  • Access to AR/VR technologies

Our facilities are open late during term time.

Staff

Our academic staff includes world-leading researchers in cutting-edge AI as well as expert game developers and programmers. You'll be taught and supported by experienced tutors who have worked with leading game studios and franchises.

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Dr Michael Scott

Head of Computing and Associate Professor of Computer Science Education

Dr Michael Scott is the Head of Computing and Associate Professor of Computer Science Educ...

Dr Michael Scott
Dr Daniel Zhang

Dr Daniel Zhang

Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Daniel joined Falmouth University in 2023 as a Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Machin...

Dr Daniel Zhang

Terry Greer

Senior Lecturer in Game Design

After starting out life as a zoo keeper at London Zoo, Terry has worked for over thirty years in the...

Terry Greer

Joseph Walton-Rivers

Lecturer

Joseph Walton-Rivers is a lecturer in the Games Academy. He joined the university in 2020 to lecture...

Joseph Walton-Rivers

John Speakman

Lecturer

John Speakman is a Lecturer with the Games Academy. He joined Falmouth University in May 2016, to st...

John Speakman
Dr Michael Scott profile image
Dr Michael Scott profile image

Got a question about this course?


If you want to know more about the course structure, our application requirements or what our graduates have gone on to achieve, our friendly course team is here to help.

 

Chat to Michael

Careers

As a graduate of this Artificial Intelligence for Games master’s course, your career could progress into roles such as: 

  • Artificial intelligence specialist  
  • AI programmer  
  • Software developer  
  • Data analyst  
  • Technical director  
  • Game designer  
  • Systems designer  
  • Entrepreneur   
  • Researcher / Further study / PhD 

How to apply

Have a question?

To find out more about this course, how you'll learn and what funding is available, get in touch with our friendly Course Advisors using our online form:

Ask us a question

Apply now

Ready to apply for postgraduate study? You can apply online by clicking the button below.

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About applying to this course

If you apply to the course, we’ll invite you for a visit to our studios and interview you to discuss your passions, previous programming experience and hopes for the future. If Artificial Intelligence for Games isn’t the right fit, we might be able to suggest another path within the growing Games Academy.

We welcome applicants with varied qualifications, but typically you’ll need an undergraduate degree in computing, software engineering, game programming or related fields. You’ll also need experience in computer programming. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience. Applicants should also have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

We’ll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications. 

APL applicants using experience to apply should note there is an application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit. 

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

£9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.)

£17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical course costs

  • To complete your coursework, you'll require a laptop at an expense of around £1,500. Read about the latest laptop specifications we recommend
  • £30-£150 for a headset with a microphone
  • £25-£100 for a webcam
  • Internet access with at least 5Mbps speed to enable livestreaming of content
  • £120 - Recommended reading purchases, if not available in library

If you need to bring other equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Speak to an advisor

Do you have questions about the course or studying at Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.

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