Two more courses get Skillset seal of approval

Educational body Skillset has accredited two more UK games training courses this week.

Sheffield Hallam University’s MSc Games Software Development, and University of Abertay’s MSc Computer Games Technology have both been given Skillset’s seal of approval.

That brings the total number of accredited courses to eight, and three added this year. Two of Abertay’s undergrad courses were given the thumbs up – they were in fact the first – while other accredited courses are run by University of the West of Scotland, Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, University of Hull and BSc Teesside University.

Skillset and its industry panel judge and vet the courses’ documentation, alumni destinations, staff CVs and industry links as well as conduction site visits to check resources and access.

The organisation’s computer games sector manager Saint John Walker said: “We are so pleased to be able to give this recognition to two more courses. This really is a victory for both these universities and the industry itself, as everybody wins when we are able to produce world-class, industry-ready graduates.”

Skillset is inviting more courses to submit themselves for accreditation. Those interested should email the firm’s accreditation and quality manager Nicole Hay at nicoleh@skillset.org.

Said Walker: "We are now in the process of consulting with a number of other games courses across the country, and are confident that it will not be long before students have an even greater range of industry-approved courses to choose from.”

The latest chosen universities were over-joyed at getting the seal of approval.

Bob Steele, principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam said: “It’s great news. Our course has always been built around a rich and meaningful relationship with industry and we’ve had great support from the likes of Sony’s London studio to get to where we are.”

University of Abertay’s Dr Henry Fortuna, director of learning and teaching with the MSc in Computer Games Technology added: “This is our first Skillset accredited postgraduate course and the quality of the student work is reflected in the careers they’ve forged within the industry. The course has been in operation for over 10 years and many of the graduates are now in senior and influential positions within the industry helping to shape the future of computer games development within the UK and beyond."