Computer games tester
Games tester, quality assurance tester, video games tester
Computer games testers play computer games to check they work, and find and record problems or ‘bugs’.
Salary Range: £15,000 to £40,000
How to become a computer games tester
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:
- computing
- games design
- programming
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You could take a college course, which may help you to get a job as a junior tester. Courses include:
- A level in Computing
- Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media
- T level in Digital Production, Design and Development
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and a creative subject
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
More information
Apprenticeship
You could complete a software tester higher apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More information
Direct application
You could contact games companies about part-time or short-term work experience opportunities.
You’ll need good technical skills and an in-depth understanding of different game platforms and quality assurance processes.
More information
Career tips
Some games companies release test versions of games for the public to try. Going to games events and joining industry forums are good ways to hear about these and other opportunities. They’re also useful for making contacts with people working in the industry, who may help you to find work.
Further information
You’ll find more advice about working in gaming from ScreenSkills.
You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- maths knowledge for understanding programming
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail for finding faults and ‘bugs’
- analytical thinking skills for software testing
- the ability to use your initiative
- the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
- excellent verbal communication skills
- a good memory
- complex problem-solving skills for fixing ‘bugs’
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could be:
- testing different levels and versions of a game
- finding the cause of faults and recommending improvements
- entering each ‘bug report’ on a quality management system
- comparing the game against other games on the market
- checking for spelling mistakes in the game and in instruction manuals and packaging
- reporting copyright issues like the use of logos
- checking a game’s accessibility options
- working under pressure and to deadlines
Working environment
You could work in a creative studio or in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a quality assurance manager or move into games marketing.
With further training, you could become a games designer, animator or developer.