The number of UK graduates in computer games subjects has more than doubled since 2013.
Answering a written parliamentary question, Education Minister, Chris Skidmore MP, revealed that the number of graduates in computer games subjects from the academic year 2017/18 is 1265. Up from 595 in 2012/13. Courses included in these figures are: Games, Computer Games Programming, Computer Game Design and Computer Games Graphics.
In response to these figures, Dr Richard Wilson OBE said:
“An increase in graduate numbers with industry relevant skills is important for the video games sector. With the potential demand for highly skilled workers rising once the UK leaves the EU, and freedom of movement comes to an end, a growing cohort of skilled graduates is essential.
“As well as quantity, the quality of graduates is of upmost importance to the continued success of the UK games sector. TIGA’s Accreditation system identifies those universities and colleges that educate learners and students with industry relevant skills.
“TIGA accredits the very best university courses, enabling both prospective students and game developers to identify those courses that are producing industry-ready graduates. With the supportive approach TIGA Accreditation takes, making recommendations to improve and further enhance courses, the quality of graduates is set to improve and better address the skills requirements of the ever-evolving games industry.”
More information on TIGA University Accreditation can be found here.
Find out more about TIGA’s latest accreditation of BA (Hons) Games Design at Brunel University London here.
The full parliamentary written question can be found here:
Graduates: Computer Software
Department for Education
14 February 2019
Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students have graduated with a degree related to computer games design and programming in each year since 2010.
Chris Skidmore: The Higher Education Statistics Agency collects and publishes statistics on enrolments and qualifications obtained at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Latest statistics refer to the academic year 2017/18. The table below shows the numbers of first degree qualifiers in computer games subjects for each year since 2012/13. Information on the number of qualifiers in these subjects has been available since the introduction of the third version of Joint Academic Coding System (JACS) in 2012/13, hence figures cannot be provided for any year prior to that.
Full-person-equivalent [1] First Degree qualifiers in computer games subjects UK HEIs
| Academic Year | Number of Qualifiers in Computer Games Subjects [2] |
| 2012/13 | 595 |
| 2013/14 | 625 |
| 2014/15 | 690 |
| 2015/16 | 900 |
| 2016/17 | 1,290 |
| 2017/18 | 1,265 |