Overview

Study game programming online

Career training & mentorship from expert programmers

Learn to program games with the world’s most powerful 3D game engine, Unreal Engine, which is responsible for some of the best AAA games. In our online game programming course, you'll harness the power of UE and master programming over 9 months.

Why study game programming at CG Spectrum:

  • We are an Unreal Academic Partner
  • Learn from game experts with real-world experience
  • Train on industry-standard software
  • Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes

[more]More[/more]

Unreal Engine has been used to create some of the world's most popular titles for desktop, console, mobile, and even VR and AR experiences. Future-proof your career in this course, which covers C++ programming techniques, plus blueprints, UI development, input, collision, particle systems, animations, user experience and more.

As an online game dev school and Unreal Academic Partner, we're here to help you gain speed and confidence with industry-leading software, equip you with the latest game production techniques, and graduate with original work to show employers.

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Qualification

Certificate

Study duration

36 weeks

Commitment

20 hrs weekly

Skill level

Intermediate

Prerequisites

Windows PC, and Game Programming Essentials course or portfolio submission

Delivery

Weekly online classes, feedback and support

Software

Unreal Engine, Visual Studio

Start date

Apr 15, 2024

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Why study with us

Specialized game development programs to get you studio-ready

Get more out of your education with CG Spectrum, an Unreal Academic Partner and Unreal Authorized Training Center. Network and build job skills that prepare you for a career in the video game industry.

Flexible Scheduling

Plan your studies around your work and family commitments

Industry Mentors

Learn from mentors who have worked on best-selling video games

Job-Ready Skills

Build practical, relevant job skills that studios are looking for

Payment Plans

Options to help you pursue your passion and start working sooner

Curriculum

Industry-approved curriculum to launch your career as a game programmer

Term 1: 12 weeks

Foundations 2: Core Game Programming in Unreal Engine

You'll be introduced to the Unreal Engine editor and see how the editor interacts with C++ code while building levels and gameplay elements. Blueprints will be introduced as another way to visually add logic to your games. You'll build a simple game with input, collision, basic AI, User Interface and audio.

  • How to use the basic features of the Unreal Engine editor
  • Build levels containing materials, terrain, and gameplay elements
  • Start building a game with a fully interactive character
  1. Introduction to Unreal Engine
  2. Creating a gameplay feature
  3. Blueprints
  4. Game Mechanics & Systems
  5. Building a Level
  6. User Input & Animation basics
  7. Cameras
  8. UX - UI and Menus
  9. FX & Audio
  10. Adapting to change
  11. Polish & Testing
  12. Post Mortem
Term 2: 12 weeks

Foundations 3: Professional Game Programming in Unreal Engine

In this term, you will tackle some more advanced uses of the Unreal Engine for a more complete picture of developing Unreal games, including character animations, particle effects, serialization, loading and streaming levels. Finish the term by developing your own fully playable game from scratch.

  • How to fully explore the Unreal animation and cinematics systems
  • Understand how saving, loading and serialization work
  • Flesh out your playable game 
  1. Third Semester Introduction / Project Review
  2. Player Interactions - Events and Delegates
  3. Memory Management
  4. Level Loading and Streaming
  5. Advanced Animation & Sequencer
  6. Introduction to AI - Behavior Trees & Blackboards
  7. AI Continued - perceptions
  8. Introduction to Networking
  9. Networking continued
  10. Advanced Debugging
  11. Profiling and Optimization
  12. Putting it All Together
Term 3: 12 weeks

Mentored Studio: Game Programming

This final term is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your mentor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You'll also receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Coach.

  • How to polish your portfolio to impress employers
  • Be more confident with negotiation
  • Network & self-promote effectively
  • Tap into the hidden job market 
  1. Career Pathways
  2. Industry Overview
  3. Portfolio Upgrade
  4. Networking and Online Presence
  5. Resume and Cover Letter
  6. Job Hunting
  7. Freelance Work
  8. Interviews and Pitching
  9. Personal Projects and Challenges
  10. Working in a Studio
  11. Contracts and Negotiations
  12. Personal Roadblocks
Course structure

Your pathway to the industry

Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 1 year.

Pathway illustration for Game Programming (Full pathway)
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Mentors

Get direct access to highly experienced game programmers

All game programming classes are run by experts with years of experience working on games at studios all over the world.

Study Options

Small Class

The most affordable way to learn from top industry mentors in a fun, collaborative environment, while still getting plenty of personalized feedback.

  • Max. 4 students per course
  • Affordable high-quality education
  • Network while you learn
Study Options

1-on-1 Private

Progress faster and enjoy more flexiblity with private mentorship. Ideal for busy schedules, career-changers, or artists upgrading skills or changing specialties.

  • Maximum level of mentor interaction
  • Greater flexibility to schedule classes
  • Customized learning experience

 

Monthly
$1,185 USD

(9 x payments)

Save 10%

Per Term
$3,200 USD

(3 x payments)

Monthly
$1,750 USD

(9 x payments)

Save 10%

Per Term
$4,725 USD

(3 x payments)

Frequently asked questions

Game Programming Course FAQs

This game programming course requires the successful completion of either the Game Programming Essentials or portfolio submission and an accompanying resume.

You will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Software:

Visual Studio and Unreal Engine will be used in this course and can be downloaded for free.

Hardware:

Students will need a computer that meets the minimum requirements for Visual Studio 2022 and Unreal Engine

We HIGHLY recommend students do the Essentials term as it covers a tremendous amount of information and skills which will be used throughout the entire program and will require some catching up if skipped.

Depending on your programming experience, it is VERY occasionally possible to skip Introduction to Game Programming and start the 9-month Game Programming Foundations

To be considered for skipping the introduction term, you must submit a CV and portfolio which includes a:

  • GitHub or GitLab repository that demonstrates your knowledge of an Object Oriented programming language. The repository must have submit history.

If you are unsure if your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio and we'll arrange a review by the department head and a possible student interview, depending on circumstances.

SUBMIT PORTFOLIO 

On completion of the Game Programming Course you will have greater confidence in your skills and a portfolio of work to show employers.

You will also have access to personalized career services and 1-on-1 time with our Career Development Manager which can help when applying for junior programming jobs such as:

Discover more about these game development jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:

While CG Spectrum's advanced students have a strong job success rate, we cannot offer guaranteed employment as the game industry is competitive and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand.

The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their career, put in the hard work to get their skills and portfolio up to industry standard, leverage their mentor's invaluable expertise and the networking opportunities provided through the CG Spectrum community, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.

To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated Career Development Manager who regularly hosts exclusive career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews and workshops for CG Spectrum students and alumni, and is available to answer career-related questions.

Students in the 9-month programs receive additional 1-on-1 career support, CV/portfolio reviews and help with application/interview preparation. 

If you have any questions about our career services as they relate to your personal career goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch

STUDENT SHOWCASE

Quality student work that speaks for itself

With a focus on portfolio preparation, we help students build their competitive edge with high quality work that gets noticed. Get a taste of what our programming students are creating.

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Studios that hire our students