BCU Expands Games Academy to Power West Midlands' Gaming Industry Growth

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 25 seconds

Growth

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Quick Read: Birmingham City University has expanded its Games Academy to meet growing demand for skilled professionals in the gaming sector, part of a wider regional strategy to boost creative tech jobs and economic growth.

Birmingham City University (BCU) has launched an expanded Games Academy to meet the surging demand for specialised talent in the fast-growing gaming sector, both regionally and across the UK.

Unveiled during BCU’s annual Innovation Fest, the enhanced Academy will now offer an expanded suite of courses in Design, Programming, Technology, and Technical Art, equipping students with the advanced skills needed to enter an increasingly competitive industry.

Supporting a Booming Sector

The move reflects the growing significance of the gaming sector, which contributed around £6 billion to the UK economy in 2024. In the West Midlands, the industry is projected to generate £65 million annually and create 1,500 jobs by 2030.

Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of STEAM at BCU, said:

“This expansion is not just about increasing numbers, but about deeper specialisation. Our industry-informed approach ensures graduates are career-ready from day one.”

BCU’s STEAMhouse building hosted the launch, which attracted leading voices from the global gaming community. Notable attendees included Linda Yilin Wen of Microsoft Research Redmond, and Dr. Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA, who both spoke on how academic institutions must evolve to keep pace with the gaming industry’s rapid transformation.

Backed by Industry and Regional Investment

Industry partners such as Nosebleed Interactive, Roll7, Sega Hardlight, and Jaguar Land Rover also attended to witness how the university is preparing the next wave of gaming professionals.

The Academy’s launch complements CreaTech Frontiers, a £6.75 million investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support SMEs in creative technology, including gaming and immersive experiences. The West Midlands is one of just two regions selected for government-backed creative sector growth funding.

The broader initiative is supported by BCU, Coventry University, University of Birmingham, and University of Warwick, in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), with a shared goal to strengthen digital skills and create new content.

Professor Hanifa Shah concluded:

“The West Midlands is primed to become a national leader in gaming. If you’re thinking about joining this industry—now is the time to skill up.”

What's new

West Midlands Launches First-of-its-Kind Digital Platform to Attract £19B in Investment

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has unveiled Site Selection WM, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to unlock and promote over £19 billion worth of regeneration opportunities across the region.

Claimed to be the first platform of its kind in the UK, Site Selection WM provides investors with real-time data on more than 64 development and occupier sites. The tool showcases key information such as planning status, land use, industry focus, and investment type—empowering investors with insights to make faster, better-informed decisions.

Beyond land availability, the platform also integrates localised market intelligence including demographics, nearby amenities, innovation hubs, and transport connectivity. It highlights major zones like the West Midlands Investment Zone, further strengthening the region’s investment proposition.

A Collaborative Effort for Economic Growth

The platform was commissioned by the West Midlands Growth Company in collaboration with WMCA and several local authorities, including Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall councils.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, called the platform a “step change” in how the region attracts global investment:

“Showcasing over 1,000 acres of regeneration opportunities, Site Selection WM reflects the ambition of the West Midlands. It offers a more transparent, accessible and innovative way for investors to engage with our growth agenda.”

He added that the platform supports a broader mission to bring forward the right infrastructure, including town centre renewal and affordable housing-led developments, to foster inclusive, long-term growth.