Game Design degree- A level choices

[Whatisitn0w]

DS will start 6th form in September. He would like a career in Game Design.

His chosen A levels are:
Maths
Photography
Computer Science or Physics

Can anyone offer guidance as to whether computer science or physics would be the best choice of A level?

Comp Sci with some sort of creative subject is the standard. Lots also have maths ( tick) or digital media.

Computer science would be better than Physics as quite simply on a games design course they will be using computers a lot - and coding using game engines. Even when not writing their own “scripts” in a programming language they will be using quite technical computer applications.

Physics will be useful only as a foundation for the Computer Science of games that use physics engines (not all games do).

Games are of course software, and the best digital artists in the software realm have a good basic understanding of programming (computer science) and maths. For example creating 3D graphics can require quite technical skills and understanding of vectors etc.

I suggest he looks at the prospectus of universities that offer a degree in Games Design to see what the course content is and then choose A-levels that will support.

It’s most likely that he’d be using the Unity game engine, but Unreal is another possibility. If he has a decent computer he could start getting to grips with one of these before the degree course and that would help him hone in on his preferred area. If he is more into the art side then he’ll likely spend his own time doing art… teaching himself ZBrush, PHotoshop etc.

If he decides whilst doing his A-levels that he prefers coding to art then his Computer Science won’t be wasted and he might pivot to Games Programming.

If he decided whilst he is doing his A-Levels that it’s definitely more the art side he loves then Photography would not be wasted. Even doing 3D gfx requires a good understanding of photographic principles.

So I would say Maths, Computer Science and a more creative subject such as Photography would be more balanced.

I worked in the software industry for a few decades.

I think my son might be in a similar position in a years time and the above will be my advice to him (I’ve already given him a taste of Unity and ZBrush at home). I advised my son against GCSE Computer Science as it was too vague and basic to be of any practical use but A-level CS will be necessary if aiming for degree courses that include coding/scripting which both game design and games programming courses will.

You need to look at discover uni or what uni, which tell you the most common A levels students on each degree programs did. Some unis are non specific as to which A levels, but it makes sense to do computer science, maths, art/graphic design perhaps physics.
My daughter is thinking of Animation and many of the unis she is looking at do Games Design and development. Bournemouth Uni, for example, has a good reputation and don't require specific A levels (but again check out what most kids on the course did take, and grade achieved). They also do a foundation year if they feel someone is not ready to go in to the three year program.
My daughter is doing art, history and psychology. It's her portfolio that will get her in though.

Thank you for such comprehensive information- it's really helpful.