“I studied Computer Games Development at the College in Greenock, and graduated with a HND in 2014. I’m now in my 2nd year studying for a degree in Computer Games Technology at Abertay. Games Development and Games Technology might sound the same but it was quite a change. The HND course taught design and programming, but now we focus on programming and purely technical aspects. So University isn’t easy, but college prepared me well; we studied similar programming languages and techniques, and my lecturers encouraged me to take Higher Maths too, which has made a big difference.”
Stewart recalls the teaching culture at Greenock was supportive, but not restrictive; an independent way of learning that has stayed with him at University.
“Everyone at Greenock was really supportive, but you weren’t spoon-fed. Rather than being taught at, we learned by doing. It was like breaking something apart and putting it back together - we might make mistakes, but that was how we learned not to.
“It’s like that at Abertay; there’s a great atmosphere and plenty of support, but they encourage you do your own thing and push yourself. This could have been daunting, but I’d been doing that for 2 years at College, and was ready for the challenge. It’s going well so far, I won awards for best 1st year Computer Games Development student, and best 1st year overall, and a lot of that is down to the skills and experience I gained at college.”
Fiona Rushton was one of Stewart’s lecturers at college, and is delighted to see him doing so well.
“Stewart started on the HND Games course as a mature student. He was very conscientious and focussed, completing his studies as an A grade student. Following college, he had his mind set on the prestigious, Creative Skillset accredited, Computer Games Technology course at Abertay University. It’s a world-leading course, and is certainly academically challenging. We are really pleased to hear that Stewart has done so well in his first year, and that his time at West College Scotland prepared him well for university life.”
Stewart has a few years left at University, but with a great set of skills, he’s already looking to the future.
“I’ve still got another two and a half years, so I won’t get complacent, but I’m enjoying it. The course keeps me busy, but I still find the time to work on my own projects. Ever since college I’ve worked on my own game projects and designs, and it’s something I’d love to turn into a career. It’s a competitive industry, but I’m going to give it a shot. In the meantime, there are so many jobs for programmers in all industries, there’s no doubt my studies are setting me up for life.”