Billy Benham

Video Game Development – MA

Billy knew it would be tough to break into the competitive video game industry. Studying a Master’s at BCU has given him the experience and confidence to do his dream job.

"I’ve had an interest in art from a young age, but I struggled to know what I wanted for my career. I studied a BA in Graphic Communication at BCU and found that I was gravitating more towards an interest in the use of art in media; video games particularly. The fact that video games have the ability to connect people across the globe is amazing to me and the powerful narratives they tell have always been meaningful to me.

I became interested in a career in the video games industry. Roles such as character or concept artists are known to be very competitive, but they really appealed to me and I knew I wanted to be a part of the developing industry. I looked into the Video Game Development MA at BCU and knew it would give me the chance to build a professional portfolio of work that I could use to make a start in the industry.

As I was already a student at BCU, I was able to reach out to the teachers on my prospective course. Speaking to them one-to-one helped me consider my options and ultimately made me more certain that I wanted to continue study at BCU. I knew that the facilities were great, and the staff were approachable so staying at BCU was definitely the right choice for me.

My decision was made even easier by the perks you get as a continuing student at BCU. I applied through the fast track application that’s available to current BCU undergraduate students. I accessed it through MySRS and it was really easy to complete. Plus, the Graduate Scholarship scheme was a huge benefit for me, as the course discount made studying a Master's more affordable.

So far, postgraduate study has been more intense than undergraduate, and there’s a large emphasis on self-initiated work and learning. However, it’s enjoyable and manageable because I’m passionate about my subject and I know that I’m building key skills for my future career.

The course has given me the chance to gain industry skills whilst still learning as a student. The environment at BCU is set up so that you feel like you’re working in a real studio with a multidisciplinary team, just like I would in industry. By working within a team of coders, designers and artists, I’ve also gained an appreciation for team-based work and working across disciplines within a project.

BCU Gamer Camp, a programme that provides students with the opportunity to get real hands-on experience of developing video games in a simulated industry environment, affords me the opportunity to gain work experience whilst studying. I’ve had the chance to present my work and gain feedback from Triple-A video game companies. This has given me the experience I need to have the skills to break into the industry.

I’ve noticed a huge change in my confidence as well as my skills since studying at BCU, my past-self feels unrecognisable, in the best way.

To me, ‘I AM BCU’ is about belonging in a community that is supportive of each individual’s passions and goals."