TIGA, the trade association representing the UK videogame industry, has welcomed today’s news that more students are opting to study subjects relevant to the sector.
The Joint Council for Qualifications CIC reports entries rising in Mathematics by 0.9 per cent and Further Maths increasing 1.5 per cent. Further analysis reveals that the number of students studying Computing has increased 11 per cent, Physics is up by 3.2 per cent, and Other Sciences has risen by 8 per cent.
Breakdown of subjects most relevant to the UK videogame industry:
|
Art & Design |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
11,051 |
11,477 |
– 426 (down 3.7%) |
|
Girls |
33,871 |
33,859 |
+ 12 (up 0.4%) |
|
Total |
44,922 |
45,336 |
– 414 (down 0.9%) |
|
Computing |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
3,857 |
3,513 |
+ 344 (up 9.8 %) |
|
Girls |
314 |
245 |
+ 69 (up 28.2%) |
|
Total |
4,171 |
3,758 |
+ 413 (up 11%) |
|
Maths |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
54,442 |
53,435 |
+ 1,007 (up 1.9%) |
|
Girls |
34,374 |
34,625 |
– 251 (down 0.7%) |
|
Total |
88,816 |
88,060 |
+ 756 (up 0.9%) |
|
Further Maths |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
10,053 |
9,870 |
+183 (up 1.9%) |
|
Girls |
3,975 |
3,951 |
+ 24 (up 0.6%) |
|
Total |
14,028 |
13,821 |
+ 207 (up 1.5%) |
|
Physics |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
28,958 |
28,190 |
+ 768 (up 2.7%) |
|
Girls |
7,743 |
7,379 |
+ 364 (up 4.9%) |
|
Total |
36,701 |
35,569 |
+ 1,132 (up 3.2%) |
|
Other sciences |
2014 |
2013 |
Change |
|
Boys |
2,961 |
2,674 |
+ 287 (up 10.7%) |
|
Girls |
795 |
803 |
– 8 (down 0.1%) |
|
Total |
3,756 |
3,477 |
+ 279 (up 8%) |
The continued success of the UK’s games industry will depend on this next generation of students. Given the current need for many game developers to recruit talent from around the world for extremely specialised roles due to a shortage of highly skilled UK candidates, this continued increase in the number of British educated maths, science and computing students is an encouraging sign.
The UK’s video games industry is the largest in Europe and features many world class games development studios. These businesses are export focused, and deliver technically and creatively excellent, original products that sell well globally, helping the sector contribute approximately £1 billion to UK Gross Domestic Product per annum.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO, TIGA, comments:
“It’s great to more students choosing subjects relevant to the UK videogames industry, with Computing, Maths, Further maths, Physics and Other Sciences all seeing increases.
“Maths and physics are essential building blocks for the skills needed to become a game developer, particularly for programming so it is welcome to see a continued rise in the number of students taking these subjects at A-level.
“As well as artists, animators, designers, sound technicians and production managers, our members need more highly skilled programmers, with degrees or the vocational equivalent in computer science, mathematics, physics, software engineering or games programming. The more of this talent that can be home grown, the better it is for the UK economy, as our sector seeks to capitalise on the emerging digital markets abroad.”
-ends-
About TIGA
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK video game industry. We help developers and digital publishers build successful studios, network with the right people, save money and access professional business advice. We also have traditional publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.
TIGA is 90% funded by independent UK businesses. 80% of our board members are developers and/or from UK owned businesses, and 50% of our board are UK business owners themselves. Since 2010, TIGA has won 17 business awards.
TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
- Political representation
- Media representation
- Business services
This enhances the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities. It also means our members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in national, broadcast and UK video game trade media.
Get in touch:
Tel: 0845 468 2330
Email: info@tiga.org
Web: www.tiga.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga
For further information, you can also contact:
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email: richard.wilson@tiga.org
Drew Field, TIGA Communications Director on: 07720 643 344, or email drew.field@tiga.org