
Dr Patrick Dickinson - Programme Leader
Dr Patrick Dickinson's specialisms include computer games, virtual reality, and computer vision. After completing an MSc in 1995, Patrick worked as a programmer in the computer games industry until 2002. He was employed at Rebellion Developments in Oxford, and then at Awesome Developments Ltd, and worked on published game titles including Aliens Vs Predator (PC, 2000), Jimmy White's 2: Cueball (1999, PC, Playstation), and Jimmy White's Cueball World (2002, PC, Dreamcast). He returned academia in 2004 and studied for a PhD in Computer Vision at the University of Lincoln, before becoming a lecturer in 2008.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MSc Games Development and Design
MSc Games Development and Design is designed to build on students' existing computer programming skills, providing them with the knowledge and expertise to develop contemporary video games using a variety of advanced tools and platforms such as virtual reality.
Industry context is an important aspect of this programme, and students can study game design topics that are applicable to working within the sector and to independent game creation, as well as familiarise themselves with research techniques that are appropriate for further postgraduate study.
The course is informed by the work and research of academic staff who specialise in games, with a combination of industry experience and research backgrounds in relevant areas. This environment provides a rich source of inputs and perspectives, as well as many opportunities for constructive and creative multidisciplinary interactions.
Guest speakers from games companies and other related areas contribute to the Frontiers of Games Research module. This is designed to help students develop industry perspectives, and better prepare them for employment or further study.
How You Study
This course comprises a range of core modules, including Advanced Programming; Virtual and Augmented Reality for Games; Frontiers of Games Research, Prototyping and Evaluation for Games; Advanced Graphics; and Games Design Methods and Approaches. Students can also select from a number of optional modules covering a range of specialist subject areas.
The Research Methods module is designed to cover the fundamental skills and background knowledge needed to undertake research in this area. Students are then able to undertake a substantial research project focusing on an area of particular personal and professional interest, through substantive software implementation and the development of a dissertation.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study.
For more detailed information, please contact the programme leader.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
Students on the programme may be assessed through a variety of means, including in-class tests, coursework, projects, and examinations.
The final stage research project enables students to further specialise and complete a piece of work of significant complexity.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Research Informed
Students in the School of Computer Science are taught by academics with specialist experience in areas including computer vision and medical imaging, autonomous systems and robotics, cloud computing, data science, and games computing.
The School of Computer Science's highly active research centres are focused on world-leading developments in computer vision, robotics and autonomous systems, and agri-food technologies, with strong links to many industrial collaborators and other universities around the world. We aim to incorporate as much of our research as possible into our taught curriculum and we provide students with opportunities to get involved in our exciting cutting-edge research activity.
Special Features
At Lincoln, we constantly invest in our campus as we aim to provide the best learning environment for our students. Whatever the area of study, the University strives to ensure students have access to specialist equipment and resources, to develop the skills, which they may need in their future career.
Technical resources for Computer Science include research facilities and laboratories, workstations with full development software platforms, and a range of equipment for loan including, Oculus Quest and other VR platforms, smartphones, and robots.

Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional, you will normally be required to pay your own transport, accommodation, and general living costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
First or second class honours degree in a discipline involving a significant element of computer programming, such as computer science, engineering, or other science and technology subjects.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
Career Opportunities
As one of the world’s largest entertainment industries, the games sector can provide a rewarding and stimulating career. Students on this programme have the chance to develop skills needed by the industry, and the course aims to develop versatile professionals capable of thriving in a wide range of areas and employment destinations.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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