University is shortlisted for national video games industry award

University of Gloucestershire has been shortlisted for a prestigious award from a national association celebrating excellence in the video games industry.

The annual TIGA Industry Awards – the most prestigious accolade in the UK video games sector – recognise achievements in game development, business and education, across various categories.

The University is among the finalists in the Educational Institution of the Year category, which showcases the important contribution of universities in producing the next generation of industry professionals, after being nominated for its Games courses.

Accredited by TIGA – the trade association representing the Games industry – these courses include Computer Games Design, Computer Games Programming, Games Art and the Master’s in Game Development.

The finalists will be assessed on how many of their students progress into high-level jobs, particularly in the games industry, as well as their links with industry and their track record in research and innovation. The winner will be announced on 16 November.

Ninety-six per cent of graduates from the University are employed or undertaking further study, according to the latest Graduate Outcomes survey.

The Games courses have close links with industry partners such as Neon Play in Cirencester and Rebellion in Oxford, while students from the courses have won awards from TIGA, including Outstanding Graduate of the Year Awards in the Games Artist, Designer and Programmer categories.

Andre van Rooijen, Academic Course Leader for Games Art, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for the Educational Institution category at the 2023 TIGA Industry Awards and look forward to the winner being announced next month.

“Games courses at the University have gone from strength to strength, fostering a strong sense of community focused on collaboration between students of the Games Design, Games Programming and Games Art courses as well as the MSc in Game Development.

“This is established through extensive group work, across the curriculum, on real games that are demonstrated at industry events such as Insomnia, the Cheltenham Science Festival and at our own yearly COMX exhibition, with some being released on Steam and other platforms.

“We’re proud to see our graduates succeed in securing great jobs and make an impact on the UK’s game development community.”