About Games Design & Development – Bsc (honours) In Computing in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

This programme is designed to produce graduates with an in-depth knowledge of the essential aspects of games design and development. Students will learn the techniques for analysis, design and development of games for diverse platforms including mobile, handheld consoles, personal and tablet computers, games consoles and online games in a variety of computer programming languages. 

Students will produce game designs and implement these through a variety of game engines and frameworks using state of the art technology and specialised hardware. Our hardware facilities include Ireland’s largest Xbox 360 Game laboratory and access to Playstation development kits. 

LIT is licenced for leading multi-platform game engines to enhance your learning experience. LIT Thurles, a Digital Games Hub, is the home of Games Fleadh, one of Ireland’s most important games programming festivals. 

LIT Thurles alumni have worked on AAA titles such as StarCraft, Wolfenstien, Guitar Hero and Call of Duty. Our campus enterprise centre facilitates and is host to game studios start-ups who are actively supported by Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre business mentors.

Who is the programme suited to?

Suited to people who are creative, analytical and logical and who are interested in computers and are passionate about game development. Creative and innovative minded people will be challenged in this programme to express their ideas and develop ground-breaking new game technologies.

Programme Aims:

This course is for designers who are:
• Creative through reading lots or books from a variety of genres
• Good at mathematics and programming
• Play computer and board games
• Independent thinkers
• Experimental, particular and persistent
• Good with people: especially international teams 

This programme will suit people who enjoy: 
• Games and Puzzles
• Deconstructing and making things
• Problem solving
• Technology
• Mathematics
• Working in teams
• Challenges

Top 3 Reasons

1. Ireland has a growing indie game developer community and indigenous game studios provide excellent employment opportunities. 
2. State of the art technology is used across our Computing programmes to enhance the student’s learning experience. 
3. Work placement is an integral part of all of our Computing programmes. Students will undertake six months industry work placement in Year 3 as part of their studies.

Class Contact Hours

Year 1: 25 hours per week
Year 2: 24 hours per week
Year 3: 18 hours per week
Year 4: 16 hours per week

Did You Know?

It has been estimated by industry representative body Games Ireland that numbers employed within the industry will double over the next two years.

Jobs Include

Graduates will be suitable for employment in a wide range of positions including: 

• Games Programmer 
• Game Tester
• Game Designer
• Games Middleware Engine Developer
• Games Developer Tools Designer
• Graphics and in Audio Software Production

Graduate Profile

To me, LIT Tipperary is a place like no other. I’ve just completed second year of my Games Design degree and have never looked back since I started. The skills and knowledge I have learned both in class and from other students will be invaluable to me in future years and hopefully will secure me a promising job in an industry I love. As I start my summer internship with NeverMind Games, I am excited about what the future holds. Great college events, such as Global Game Jam and Games Fleadh were the highlights of the year and working with amazing people on amazing projects reassures me that I am heading down the right career path.”
Joseph Bentley, current student, Games Programmer at NeverMind Games

Further Studies

Higher Diploma, Masters, or PhD

Entry Requirement

Leaving Certificate: 
A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.
Contact: Admissions@LIT.ie 

Mature Applicants:
Mature student (i.e. 23 years of age on 1st January for admission in September) applicants must apply through the CAO on or before 1st February.
Contact: Admissions@LIT.ie 

International Applicants:
Non-EU applicants should apply directly to the International Office at LIT allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by July 1st at the latest.
Contact: International@LIT.ie

CAO

Please visit www.cao.ie for further information on how to apply to this course.

IELTS score for entry to undergraduate courses a minimum score of 5.5