Welcome to the Sumo Digital Academy, a talent development programme creating new pathways into the games industry.

We want to open the door to graduates looking to make their first career move, those skilled in different industries and those seeking a career change.

The Sumo Digital Academy holds an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted (2025) and is the only UK game studio to offer government-recognised technical apprenticeships.

Led by former game programming lecturer, Dr Jake Habgood, the Academy focusses on game programming and software development.

The Sumo Digital Academy is the first in the UK games industry to be recognised by the government and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

About Us

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The Academy is part of Sumo Digital, an independent family of game development studios founded in 2003 which has developed games for every major platform for some of the world’s biggest publishers.

Using our unrivalled experience, we aim to create new career pathways and encourage greater diversity and inclusivity in an industry that we’ve helped to shape – building a new generation of talent to make the games of the future.
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What We Offer

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We offer graduates from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to develop their technical skillsets and tailor them to the games industry so that they’re developer-ready.
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Looking to Train Your Apprentice?

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Since achieving an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted in 2025, we now also work with partner studios around the UK to recruit and train apprentices on their behalf, providing industry-ready developers with deep, specialised technical skillsets.
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  • The Sumo Digital Academy has provided me with a unique opportunity to pursue my passion and take my first steps into the games industry. Not only have I developed valuable programming skills, but I’ve had the opportunity to make connections with other teams and studios that will enhance my future career!

    Emma Rogers, Former Apprentice and now a Programmer at Sumo Digital

  • I’ve had a fantastic experience. Every day I was trying something I’d never done before and learning new things. It’s been a dream to have the opportunity to contribute to some awesome projects and work with great people and mentors.

    Jessica Marshall, Former Apprentice and now a Programmer at Fish in a Bottle

  • I’ve learned so much and gained so much confidence with programming since beginning my journey with Sumo, it’s genuinely been a life-changing experience. The other apprentices have all been great to work with, and I’ve got to shout out to Jake, George, and Dave for being fantastic trainers and offering their support the whole way through, they are very clever chaps!

    Toby Spiers, Former Apprentice now a Programmer at Sumo Digital

  • The apprenticeship means a lot to me, without it, I’m not sure I would have been able to break into the industry. It can be challenging but that’s part of what makes it great, you learn through doing which is really valuable.

    Laura Clarke, Former Apprentice and now a Technical Artist at Sumo Digital

  • It’s been a great experience which gave me a pathway into a career which I dreamed of but never really considered as a possibility. Jake, George and Dave have helped me so much, not just with code, but in giving me the confidence to speak up and give my thoughts to the team.

    Ntokozo Tshuma, Former Apprentice and now a Junior Programmer at Sumo Nottingham

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