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Computer games tester

Alternative titles for this job include Games tester, quality assurance tester, video games tester

Computer games testers play games to check that they work as intended and identify problems or ‘bugs’.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£36,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays as customers demand

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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 in:

  • games design
  • computing
  • 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

College

You could take a college course, which may help you to find a job as a junior tester.

Courses include:

  • computing
  • creative media
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Software Tester Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This usually takes around 2 years to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.

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 and problem solving skills and an in-depth understanding of different game platforms and quality assurance processes.

More Information

Career tips

Some game companies release test versions of games for the public to try and to report back on.

You might also go to gaming events where you could:

  • talk to people who work in the industry
  • get advice about finding jobs or training

Further information

You can get details about careers in gaming from ScreenSkills and Into Games.

You can also find out more about working in the creative sector from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • concentration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a computer games tester you would:

  • test different levels of a game on different platforms
  • find problems or 'bugs', and record inconsistencies
  • write clear bug reports and add them to an online reporting system
  • check that fixes to resolve problems work as expected
  • report copyright issues and check for spelling mistakes in the game, manuals and packaging
  • check a game's accessibility options and gameplay experience
  • work closely with developers to meet deadlines

Working environment

You could work in a creative studio or in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could:

  • become a quality assurance manager
  • move into games marketing
  • become a games designer, animator or games developer

If you're fluent in another language, you could check different language versions of games as a localisation tester.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a computer games tester right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

(BTEC) L3 Level 3 National Diploma Games Design and Development - Creative Media Practice

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Keighley

Creative Media

  • Provider: BRADFORD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Bradford

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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