Teesside University

8th July 2009.

Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries, has handed out an accreditation to Teesside University for its BSc in Computer Games Programming. It is the sixth such course in theUK - and the first BSc in England to be awarded the accolade.

The Skillset accreditation scheme has been created with the games industry as a way of signposting courses which fulfil professional criteria and prepare students for the world of work.

It highlights the best new entrant recruitment spots for the games industry, as well as being a magnet of excellence for prospective students who want to know the best places to study. There has been an explosion of new computer games courses in Higher Education institutions across the country – and their quality varies considerably.

Kate O’Connor, Skillset’s Executive Director of Policy and Development, said: “A very big congratulations to Teesside University, which has gone the extra mile to involve the computer industry in the course. The accreditation panel was particularly impressed with Teesside’s links with regional companies like Eutechnyx and Ubisoft, as well as the maturity of the students’ work.”

David Braben, Chair of Skillset’s Computer Games accreditation panel, said: “We welcome Teesside’s BSc in Computer Games Programming joining the list of accredited courses. The panel found facilities are excellent and students also benefit from strong links with local games companies, through industry placements and industry facing events. There is also a good emphasis on games development teamwork embedded in the course.”

Dr Derek Simpson, Dean of Teesside University’s School of Computing, said: "I am delighted for theSchool of Computing and the team to have gained Skillset approval for our BSc in Computer Games Programming. We are very strong believers in external accreditation and this approval sits alongside our Skillset accreditation for animation, our Skillset Academy status and our British Computer Society accreditation. We look forward to continuing our strong and positive links with Skillset in the future."

Skillset accredits courses in Games Art and Games Programming, and is now developing a Games Design post-graduate framework after consultation with a number of companies.

The other Skillset accredited courses are at the University of Abertay Dundee, University of the West of Scotland, Glamorgan Centre for Art & Design Technology and the University of Hull.

Notes to Editors

· About Skillset - Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.

· About Teeside University - Middlesbrough-based Teesside University has also been awardedSkillset Media Academy status. It forms part of the Skillset Media Academy Network, a UK-wide group of institutions identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK television and interactive industries as Centres of Excellence in creative media education and training.