Diversity Internship Training Programme

 


Applications for the 2023 Diversity Internship Training Programme are now closed!

Please note that the closing date for the Diversity Internship Training Programme was the 21st of July, 2023 at 5pm BST.

Duration: Six weeks (September - October 2023)

Salary: £300-£350 per week

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Remote

Internship Timeline

Stage

Dates

Applications Open

July 2023

Internship Begins

September 2023

Internship Ends

Mid-October 2023

Key Requirements

  • You must at least 18 years old. 

  • You must be able to demonstrate a strong aptitude for programming. For example, through self-study or in a module from your degree programme. 

  • You must meet the diversity requirements. 

  • You must have not received significant prior training as a game programmer. 

  • You must already be living in the UK and have a valid and eligible residency status (prior to application).

About the Internship

The Sumo Digital Academy’s Diversity Internship Training Programme (DITP) gives people from under-represented groups the opportunity to receive training and mentoring in game programming to see what it would be like as a career. It aims to reach out to talented applicants who haven’t previously considered the potential of game programming as a highly creative and rewarding occupation.

The DITP is also an opportunity to develop your programming skills and prepare to make a successful application to our Level 7 Game Programmer Apprenticeship programme.

The Training Experience

The Diversity Internship Training Programme is undertaken remotely with the opportunity to visit Sumo’s Sheffield HQ at the beginning and end of the programme (COVID restrictions permitting).

During the internship you will receive:

  • Training and support in C++ programming: the primary language used in game development.

  • A comprehensive overview of the duties of a game programmer as set out in the apprenticeship’s occupational profile.

  • An introduction to the games industry, different studio models and typical career pathways and progression routes for programmers.

  • The opportunity to talk to game programmers and former interns/apprentices about their day-to-day roles.

Eligibility

This training programme is aimed at alleviating disadvantage and under-representation in the games industry under the provisions for positive action permitted by UK law. The UKIE Games Industry Census has identified a range of under-represented groups both generally and in senior development roles.

Applicants for the Diversity Internship Training Programme must be in one or more of the following groups:

  • Women and/or marginalised genders.

  • Ethnic minorities.

  • A background in which university education is uncommon.

  • Neurodiverse.

  • A different disability (please specify in your application).

To be eligible for the Diversity Internship Training Programme you must also be eligible to apply for the Level 7 Game Programmer Apprenticeship programme, in particular: 

  • You must already be living in the UK and have a valid and eligible residency status (prior to application).

  • You must not already be enrolled on another apprenticeship, or in full time education which would overlap with the apprenticeship. 

  • You should have the equivalent of GCSEs grades 9-5 (A*-C) in English and Maths.

  • Your prior learning in programming and game development must not exceed more than 50% of the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard for a Level 7 Game Programmer.

In practice, this final condition would typically exclude graduates of game programming degrees from applying to the programme.

About the Application Process

We’re looking for candidates with huge potential, but who don’t have all the usual prerequisites for gaining employment in the videogame industry. 

You will need to be able to demonstrate an aptitude for programming along with a passion and curiosity for learning game development, but there’s only so much we can determine from a CV or covering letter.

We would encourage applicants to include examples of code they have written along with their applications (in any programming language). This doesn’t need to be a game and could be from a university assignment, or hobbyist project. Even better, why not have a play around with our free C++ game programming tutorial resources here and show us what you can do with them?

Any further information about the Diversity Internship Training Programme can be found on the FAQ Page.