Software Development and Gaming Program - University College London

• Ice-Breaker Games
• Quiz Night
• Game Show
• Tennis/Football
• Talent Show
• Lates Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
• Graduation Party & Prizes

• Students will reside at Astor College, UCL’s student accommodation in Fitzrovia, central London.

• Astor College features modern communal lounges, an outdoor courtyard, and open plan dining areas.

• Provides a comfortable base for attending workshops, industry visits, and social activities.

• Accommodation includes single bedrooms, both standard and en-suite.

• Access to common rooms and social spaces with pool tables and quiet study areas, perfect for downtime.

• Breakfast and dinner provided by experienced catering teams in the accommodation.

• Catering staff familiar with various dietary requirements.

• Students with food allergies should speak to staff at mealtimes for allergen information.

• Dietary information is shared with catering teams prior to student arrival.

• During term time, the accommodation is used by University of London undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Visit iconic London landmarks
• Explore a world-famous museum after dark
• Learn new skills at an indoor skate park
• Catch award-winning theatre on the West End
• Experience exceptional urban regeneration at the Olympic Park

• Arrival Time: Participants should arrive between 2 pm and 4 pm on the first Sunday of the program, with registration and accommodation showings upon arrival.

• London Heathrow Airport Transfers: Shared airport transfer service available from Heathrow Terminal 3 directly to Cambridge/Oxford colleges. Pastoral team to meet participants at any Heathrow terminal and escort to Terminal 3.

• Transfer departures at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00 on arrival Sunday; return transfers to London Heathrow Airport depart at 07:00 and 12:00 on the final Saturday.

• Transfer Fee: Available for booking post-enrollment at £100 each way.

• Detailed information is provided closer to the program date, including contact numbers.

• Alternative Arrivals: For those arriving at different airports or by other means, details are in the Welcome Pack sent after enrolment confirmation.

• Optional taxi service available with Addison Lee (Travel to and from the program is not included in the participation fee.)

• 40 hours of academic sessions from subject experts
• Visits to leading industries
• Real-world project workshops
• 1:1 Career Coaching
• Average class size of 7, maximum class size of 10 students
• Detailed Career Development Plan from your personal coach

Unique Industry Insights

• Experience VR gaming at Otherworld VR and understand its potential.
• Visit the National Videogame Museum to learn about game creation and industry insights.

Sample Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Game Design

• Learn foundational game design principles and apply them in real-world game creation.
• Design scenarios, characters, mechanics, and use Construct 2 for game development.

Module 2: Introduction to Coding

• Master coding basics, essential for game design and various industries.
• Learn coding fundamentals and their application in game narrative progression.

Module 3: Roblox Coding

• Practice coding in Roblox using Lua language.
• Learn basics of Lua, variable manipulation, user data storage, and simple game programming.

Module 4: Unity

• Explore Unity, the popular game creation platform.
• Understand Unity's interface, create 3D/2D models, and apply lighting and shadow effects.

Module 5: Introduction to Python

• Discover Python's role in game design.
• Learn Python programming concepts, syntax, and error interpretation for game creation.

Module 6: RPGMaker Masterclass

• Utilize RPGMaker for 2D role-playing game development without extensive coding.
• Learn RPGMaker environment, game structure, map and character creation.

Module 7: Scratch Game Design

• Use Scratch for visual programming and animated story creation.
• Develop games with Scratch, focusing on functional prototype creation and problem-solving.

Module 8: Coding Languages

• Overview of various coding languages for game design.
• Understand the appropriateness and efficiency of different languages in game development.

Yasmin Fathy:

• Research Fellow, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge

• Fellow, UK Higher Education Academy

• Former roles: Software Development Engineer at EMBL-EBI, Research Associate in IoT and Machine Learning at Cambridge University, KTP Research Associate at UCL

• PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey

• MSc in Applied Science and Engineering, AI Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Research interests are machine learning, data analytics, IoT

Guest Speakers from Previous Summers:

• Abi Oyepitan - Former Olympian: A two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Gold and Silver winning track and field athlete.

• Dr Lynda Shaw - Neuroscientist & entrepreneur: A journey in personal development - how to create your own set of tools to fast track success

• Dr Nigel Warburton - Philosopher, author & journalist: How do great people find answers to deep and meaningful questions?​​

• Transfer Fee: £100 each way.

• Pocket Money Advice: Money we recommend that participants bring £80 per week to cover lunch each day, plus any souvenirs that they may wish to purchase. Various banks and ATMs are available throughout Cambridge, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted.

• This program is accredited by British Accreditation Council (BAC)

• Meets global standards for academic provision and student welfare

• Top priority for participant safety

• Staff undergo enhanced background checks and safeguarding training

• Participants assigned to a “Mentor Family” of 10 students

• Mentors offer support, advice, and share their experiences

• School management and supervision is managed by senior, experienced College Managers in Cambridge, Oxford, London, and Sydney

• College Managers trained to Level 3 Safeguarding standards

• Resident summer team and college personnel supervise sites 24/7

• Encourage student independence within safe boundaries

• Team supervision ensures safe and rewarding experience