Bachelor of Science (Honours) Software Design with Virtual Reality and Gaming

BSc (Hons) in Software Design with Virtual Reality and Gaming

Course Overview

  • 4

    Year

  • 8

    Level

  • 300

    Points

  • US821

    CAO Course Code

Why take this course?

Software development is an enormous growth area in ICT engineering. Over 900 software companies are currently in operation in Ireland employing more than 24,000 people. Ireland’s reputation as a centre of software excellence is unrivalled in Europe. It is home to multinational and indigenous firms generating €16 billion of exports annually. The sectors wide-ranging activities include software development, R&D, business services and EMEA/International headquarters.

Game development is one of the fastest growing sectors in the entertainment industry. Annual video games sales are approximately €30 billion and are expected to rise to €40 billion in the next four years. The value of the computer games industry worldwide is in excess of €85 billion and it is an area with enormous potential for development. Last year, there was global investment of over €3 billion in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) industries. It reflects the exciting potential to provide immersive environments in gaming and movies that were not possible before now. Our VR and Gaming specialisation prepares you to work as a software developer in these fast-paced industries.

As a student on this course, you’ll work with the latest tools and technologies to enhance your skillset. Software development languages, tools and methodologies provide the backbone of this programme. These skills are critical to following a career in the game development industry but they also have widespread application across many domains.

What will I experience?

AIT’s Faculty of Engineering and Informatics is housed in one of the most modern and well-equipped facilities of its kind in the country. The common entry structure of this programme allows you to experience many core aspects of software development while allowing you to change your specialisation entering second year if you have the required CAO points. Lecturers have extensive industry experience which enriches their teaching skills and competencies. You will be part of an exciting software development environment, with advanced research and strong links to industry. You will enjoy a six-month work placement during your third year of the programme giving you real industrial experience while undertaking a challenging project.

Listen: Dr Enda Fallon offers a fascinating insight into the cutting-edge courses on offer in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering and highlights the array of exciting career opportunities available to graduates.

Additional Information

Course spotlight: Lecturer Karol Fitzgerald discusses who this degree would suit, the types of modules you’ll undertake, work placement, career opportunities and so much more.

Course Details

Course Duration:
4 Year
CAO Course Code:
US821
Cut Off CAO Points:
300
Course Award:
Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Course NFQ Level:
Level 8
Department:
Dept of Computer and Software Engineering
Minimum Entry Requirements:

Grade H5 at higher level in two subjects, plus Grade 06 at ordinary level in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish)

QQI: QQI applicants to this programme must hold the following award: Information Technology (CITXX). They are also required to have Software Development (5M0529) and the module mathematics (5N1833) or Maths for IT (5N18396) or Maths for STEM (5N0556) included in their award or alternatively have Leaving Certificate mathematics. They must also possess distinctions in three modules.

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Course Structure

Year 1

Digital Media, Mathematics for Software Design, Software Development, Web Development, Game Development, Agile Methodologies, Mobile Apps and Connected Devices, Communications, Computer Applications.

Year 2

Mathematics for Software Design, Software Development, Agile Methodologies, Software Development for Gaming, Databases, Game Development, Networks, Game AI and Physics,
Group Project.

Year 3

Operating Systems and Concurrency, Software Development, Software Engineering, Software Development for Gaming, Game Hardware, VR Application Development, Placement.

Year 4

Project, Computer Graphics, Networks, Management and Organisational Behaviour, VR and Gaming Technology, Real-time Rendering for VR, Databases, The Engineer in Society, Security, Distributed Systems.

Careers & Opportunities

Career Prospects

Students graduating from this course will be in a position to take up careers as game developers, software designers, database programmers and administrators, and technical salespersons. Employers include: Ericsson, Valeo, Cisco, Avaya (Nortel), SAP, Hewlett-Packard, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Riverdeep, as well as financial institutions and SMEs.

Work Placement

As part of your adventure in software design you will have the opportunity to work in industry both locally and abroad on our work placement programme. This gives you relevant working experience and valuable contacts in the industry before you graduate.

If you decide to travel abroad on your placement our excellent International Office will set you up with one of our partner institutes across Europe and Asia. The world really is your oyster.

Further Study

Graduates with honours are eligible to apply for the Master of Science in Software Design with Virtual and Augmented Reality or another cognate programme. For more information, see the AIT Postgraduate Prospectus.

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