Game Programmer Apprenticeship Programme

Applications for the 2024 Apprenticeship Programme are now closed

When it comes to the games industry, learning from the best and having a dedicated programme in place enables you to acquire first-hand knowledge and expertise to find the desired role that suits your skills. And that pathway is right here, with the Sumo Digital Academy’s Game Programmer Apprenticeship Programme.

If this sounds like something that you, or your family or friends, would be interested in then here’s how you can apply and get involved!

So, what is the Sumo Digital Academy Apprenticeship Programme?

We’re glad that you asked! The Sumo Digital Academy’s game programming apprenticeship programme provides an alternative pathway into a career as a game programmer. Previous game programming experience is NOT required, and applicants need only demonstrate their learning potential as game programmers.

English apprenticeship programmes can only be used to train someone for a role in which they have not already been trained. Therefore, students of game programming degrees should apply to our undergraduate placement scheme or directly for junior industry roles instead.

Graduates of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science degrees are particularly well placed to train as game programmers, but applications are of course welcomed from any background with previous professional experience and/or a proven aptitude for programming.

Cool, so what will I get to experience if I’m accepted onto the Programme?

With this programme following the newly approved Level 7 Game Programmer Apprenticeship Specification co-developed by Sumo-Digital, you’re in safe and knowledgeable hands. As a Level 7 programme, this provides apprentices with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours to support their pathway into senior, technical roles as programmers within the games industry.

Though each apprentice’s individual journey will vary when embarking on the programme, typically most people will get significant training and support in C++ programming, which is the primary language used in game development, as well as training and support with the Unreal Engine – a powerful game engine used by many of Sumo Digital’s talented studios.

In addition, you’ll also get the chance to work on published products developed by the Academy, and a placement on one of Sumo’s game teams.

Although an apprenticeship doesn’t guarantee continued employment beyond the end of the programme, our apprenticeship experience is designed to provide you with the best possible opportunity to make a competitive application for a junior programming role within the Sumo Group once you complete the apprenticeship.

What are the key requirements for joining the Sumo Digital Academy Apprenticeship Programme?

For you to be eligible to apply for the Level 7 Game Programmer Apprenticeship programme, there are a few requirements that you’ll need to show in order to kickstart your application.

Applicants must be aged 18 years old or above and already be living in the UK with a valid and eligible residency status for the full length of the apprenticeship, and you must have the equivalent of GCSEs grades 9-5 (A*-C) in English and Maths.

It’s key that you must also not already be enrolled on another apprenticeship, or in full-time education which would overlap with the apprenticeship – or that 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 taking this apprenticeship. Graduates of Computer Science degrees without experience in game development might still be accepted but may have the length of the apprenticeship shortened based on a prior skills assessment.

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

Sounds great! So how do I apply for the Programme?

Meet all the requirements? Then you’re ready to start your application!

We’re looking for candidates who have huge potential, but who don’t have all the usual prerequisites for gaining employment in the video games industry. We’re not asking for prior qualifications or a portfolio of game development work, but we need to be sure that our apprentices have an aptitude for learning how to code.

We ask applicants to undertake some self-study and complete a series of aptitude tests before considering them for the programme. We’ve done as much as we can to make sure that these tests are accessible and fair to all, but we know that not everyone has the time and resources to devote to such a time-consuming process.

If you come from an underrepresented group and need more support, then please consider applying to our Diversity Internship Training Programme in advance of applying for the apprenticeship.

Rest assured that you will be judged on your potential – not how much you have learned previously. However, it’s unlikely you’re going to succeed if you haven’t done any programming before, and we would encourage applicants to spend time exploring our free C++ game programming tutorial resources before making an application. If you find these resources too difficult then try learning some Python programming first and consider applying to the apprenticeship programme next year.

So, let’s go through each of the three stages:

STAGE 1: INITIAL APPLICATIONS

Initial applications should be submitted via the "Apply Now" link at the bottom of this page, but be sure to read all of this information before scrolling down.

To be eligible your application must include your current, most up-to-date CV and a covering letter explaining why you want to join the apprenticeship programme.

You’ll also need to show a completed version of this C++ tutorial for beginners*. Depending on your previous programming experience, this might take you anything from a couple of hours to a weekend.

However, working through this will tell you a lot about whether you enjoy game programming if you have never done any before. It is only necessary to attach your “MainGame.cpp” source file to the application for this tutorial example (we already have all the assets).

Please note that we do not offer remote working options, so this programme is primarily open to those who can commute to the Sheffield office with some exceptions.

*You may submit a more sophisticated example instead, but it must also be made using the PlayBuffer and you will need to .zip and attach the whole Visual Studio folder containing the code and assets.

STAGE 2: APTITUDE TESTS

So, your initial application has been successful, and now it’s time to move onto the next stage, in which you’ll be given access to some training materials and invited to take part in some aptitude tests. These online tests assume that you have engaged with the training materials and must be completed within the testing window which includes a weekend to accommodate applicants with existing commitments and responsibilities.

The content of the tests will be based on games which are made using the PlayBuffer C++ framework which is freely available here.

There will be two tests in total. A Short C++ Test, which will contain relatively simple C++ questions which must be completed against the clock; and an Open-Ended C++ Task, where you’ll be given the C++ code for a simple 2D game and asked to add some additional functionality. You will have two days to complete the task.

STAGE 3: FINAL INTERVIEW

Great news, you’ve smashed the aptitude tests and now you’ve bagged a final interview, which you’ll need to attend at Sumo Sheffield.

The details

Duration: 18-24 months

Salary: £19,965 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Sheffield, UK (COVID restrictions permitting)

Any further information about the Games Programmer Apprenticeship can be found on the FAQ Page.