Career Prospects

The sectors of simulator development and videogame design are especially attractive in terms of employment and potential expansion.
The video gaming industry has become the most important entertainment sector in the first decade of the 21st century, surpassing investments only previously found in films. This has reached the point where the most important launch historically of a video game with a budget over 500 million dollars is higher than any other entertainment budget found in the sector.
The technology used in videogames is not merely limited to the entertainment sector, but opens a wider, more intense path in other sectors where visual abilities and hand-eye coordination are relevant.
We can find video gaming technologies in flight simulators, apps to prepare machinery handling, training programs for medicine and surgery, driving software, training systems for engineers (ITS-PLC), tools for special effects in films (as seen in the case of the Spanish company Next Limit, often seen in Hollywood) among others.
It is also necessary to recognize the fact that simulation technologies are more and more commonly used in industrial product design and in business and logistical models.

Why should you study Computer Engineering and Information Technology?

The profession of computer engineering began in the 90’s in our country. Until 1996, it was grouped under science degrees since it was taught at universities as an Undergraduate Degree in Computer Sciences. This denomination reflected the scientific character of computer sciences while not mentioning the fundamental and growing role of these professionals in productive sectors.

In the 90`s, these functions became more universal in every sector and it was rare to find any modern company, no matter how small, that did not count on computer engineers. The jobs done by these engineers, which were previously associated with personal abilities or talent only known to a select few, are becoming more standardized with protocol at the same rhythm as information technologies. As a consequence, the profession of Engineers in Information Technology has been incorporated into engineering degrees and procedures, as well as the resource and product management shared with other older professions.

The future for Computer Engineers is quite bright as their employability is one of the highest in our country, reaching 94% of the Undergraduate degrees and 100% of the Master’s according to the Federal Council of Engineering Deans based on data from 2013. However, the access of these students to the work force and the quality of employment in such a wide field can be improved if their competencies are correctly channeled into a concrete sector without sacrificing their general engineering base.

Two of the sectors linked by shared technology are the development of simulators and video game design, which are especially attractive in terms of employability and potential expansion. They are excellent candidates for a certain degree of specialization that can make the best use of the common knowledge base provided by computer engineering.

Undergraduate Degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology(*)

Loyola University Andalusia offers an engineering degree program in computer sciences: The Undergraduate Degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology.

In this degree the student acquires standard competencies in Computer Engineering as described in the Royal Crown decree on 4 August 2009, which allows students to access the required professional Master´s in Computer Engineering in our country. This degree, along with the complementary Master’s, has a generalized character with a variety of career prospects in a range of fields and strong international projection.

Additionally, this degree taught at Loyola University Andalusia develops from the beginning many specific competencies geared towards simulations and videogames. The video gaming industry has grown spectacularly over the last two decades, with more than 100 billion dollars (85 M Euros) in revenues in 2014. The most expensive launch of 2014, Destiny, had production costs of more than 500M $, more than any other film or entertainment in history.

This sector is organized at two different levels: the major product launches, like the aforementioned example, and small companies who create smaller projects covering a wide range of applications and uses. Examples of technologies included in this group are social networks, mobile apps, custom tailored apps, educational software, training, rehabilitation, software components, simulators for science and investigation and many more. Spain plays an important role in both sectors, such as the pioneering company Next Limit, among others.

The Engineer in Computer Sciences and Information Technology is a well-qualified, creative professional with professional competencies in the following areas:

• Physics
• Mathematics
• Programming
• Computer system design
• Simulation design and programming
• Networks, Communications and Operating Systems
• Graphic design and Animation (3D Studio, Maya)
• Image and Sound
• Storytelling, design and creativity

*Verified by the Council of Universities.
Pending authorization by the Junta de Andalucía.