TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, welcomed the news that more students are opting to do A-levels in maths and science, as well the increase in students passing A-levels in mathematics and the more advanced further mathematics paper.
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 across Europe, due to a shortage of highly skilled UK candidates, this continued increase in the number of British educated maths and science 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.
UCAS’ report that UK universities have accepted a record number of students is also good news for the high-tech videogames sector, which requires a greater number of UK graduates if it is to fulfil it’s high growth and high value potential.
Dr. Richard Wilson, CEO, TIGA, said:
“Maths and physics are essential building blocks for the skills needed to become a game developer, particularly for programming so it is encouraging 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.
“UK universities also educate many international students, and the Government must be extremely careful to ensure migration policy supports the growth of our universities and colleges. We must not undermine them or the UK’s development businesses by unfairly taxing and penalising the foreign students that are essential to fill the current skills gap in the UK’s high tech industries.
“We hope that many of today’s students who have A-levels suitable for the games industry will go on to higher education and further training, and ultimately look for opportunities to join the UK’s world-class games business.”
Some of TIGA’s members in leadership positions at the UK’s top technology and computer science academic institutions have also been reacting to today’s A-level results:
Dr. Mark Eyles, Principal Lecturer, School of Creative Technologies, The University of Portsmouth, commented:
“The increase in the number of students taking mathematics is very encouraging both for the programming pathway of our BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology course at the University of Portsmouth and also more widely for UK game developers. There is a shortage of strong programmers and the ability to succeed in challenging subjects like mathematics and physics is a strong indicator that these students will have the skills to succeed as games programmers.
“Recruitment to games courses remains strong in design and art as well as programming, with the UK continuing to lead the world in the quality of its game industry focussed degree courses.
“As the standard of students arriving from A-level studies continues to improve, so games courses across leading UK universities are able to make even greater demands of their undergraduates. Gaining the skills required by game developers is challenging and UK games courses want the very best A-level students in order to not only maintain, but also raise the numbers of their graduates gaining top degree classifications.
“This has a direct impact on the quality of the games industry workforce and consequently on the UK’s established position as a world leader in game development. Having successfully completed their A levels, students joining games courses must remember that although a passion for playing games is important, that making games is significantly more complex, more demanding and, ultimately, more rewarding!”
Prof. William Latham, co-founder of the MSc Computer Games and Entertainment Course, Goldsmiths, University of London, added:
“Given the broad spectrum of roles in the games industry, there are a lot of different paths that can lead ultimately to a career in games. Maths, Physics and Chemistry A-levels, or strong computing-based BTEC qualifications, are great if you want to go into the technical areas of games development.
“If you are more interested in art and game production, you may want to get some qualifications in Art and/or Design. If you are interested in sales, marketing and management, a great spectrum of A-levels could be useful, such as English, Classics, Psychology, Performing Arts and Politics.
“Ultimately A-levels, though valuable, are only part of the story and you will need to follow through and develop a strong portfolio of personal work through a good degree course, like the new one at Goldsmiths, to be picked up by the games industry.”
Dr. Christos Gatzidis, Senior Lecturer in Creative Technology at Bournemouth University, said:
“Bournemouth University, for the BSc Games Technology and also for the brand new BSc Games Programming courses, favours applicants with relevant subjects such as Computing, IT, Maths, Physics, Science and Technology. With this in mind, it is very encouraging to see reports in the media of an increasing number of students this year passing A-levels in both mathematics and also further mathematics too.
“This bodes well for universities such as ourselves, with industry-facing games development courses receiving strong first year cohorts which can be shaped far quicker towards something both the domestic and international game development studios require. Hopefully this trend will continue in the coming years unabated.”
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About TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the video games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. Since 2010, TIGA has won 16 business awards.
TIGA focuses on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
For further information, please 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