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

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.

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

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.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail for finding faults and 'bugs'
• analytical thinking skills for software testing
• complex problem-solving skills for fixing 'bugs'
• 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

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

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