Apprenticeships
UK government-recognised technical apprenticeships in game programming and technical art, delivered from Sumo Digital’s Sheffield studio and rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Two apprenticeship routes, one Academy
The Academy runs two government-recognised apprenticeship pathways into the games industry. Both are delivered from Sumo Digital’s Sheffield studio, both combine intensive training with real production experience alongside professional developers, and both are open to applicants from a range of academic and career backgrounds.
Apprentices begin with a period of full-time training before transitioning into a model that blends continued study with studio work on live projects. The programme typically runs for 18 months from a January intake, and apprentices are paid throughout.
Game Programmer Apprenticeship
The Academy’s flagship route trains the next generation of professional game programmers. Apprentices learn modern C++, engine internals, the mathematics that underpins real-time graphics and gameplay, and the production workflows used inside a working studio.
Day-to-day, apprentices split their time between structured learning and hands-on contribution to live Sumo Digital projects, mentored by senior programmers who have shipped on every major platform. By the end of the programme, apprentices have a portfolio of shipped or near-shipped work and a clear pathway into a junior programming role.
Best for: graduates of non-games degrees (Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and similar) who want to break into games programming, career-changers with a programming hobby, and applicants without a degree who can show an exceptional portfolio of personal programming work.
Technical Artist Apprenticeship
Our technical art route sits at the intersection of art and engineering. Apprentices learn shader development, rigging and animation pipelines, tooling for content teams, and engine integration, working as part of multidisciplinary teams that translate creative intent into something the engine can ship.
The programme is delivered alongside the same professional studio practice that underpins the programming apprenticeship: structured Academy training paired with embedded production work on live Sumo Digital projects, mentored by senior technical artists.
Best for: graduates of art, animation, design or related disciplines who are comfortable with code or scripting, technically-minded artists looking to formalise a studio-ready skill set, and applicants from adjacent technical fields who can demonstrate creative aptitude alongside engineering thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is the Sumo Digital Academy for?
A. The Sumo Digital Academy is aimed at graduates of non-games degrees who would not normally have the portfolio work to be considered for games programming roles. We would also consider talented applicants without a degree if they had an exceptional portfolio of hobbyist programming work.
Q. I am not a UK resident, can I apply?
A. International applicants must already be eligible to work in the UK.
Q. Where is it based?
A. The Sumo Digital Academy is based out of Sumo Digital’s Sheffield HQ, but “graduates” of the Academy are encouraged to find positions anywhere in the Sumo Group of companies.
Q. Can I work from home?
A. The Sumo Academy is based out of the Sumo Sheffield office and apprentices are expected to be in the office for most of the programme. Home or hybrid working on the apprenticeship would only be considered for specific personal circumstances (such as a disability).
Q. Will I get paid?
A. Absolutely. All of Sumo Digital’s internship roles are paid.
Q. When does the scheme run?
A. The programme typically runs for 18 months starting in January.
Q. I have already completed a degree in game programming, can I apply for this programme?
A. No, sorry. English apprenticeship programmes can only be used to train someone to perform a role for which they have not been previously trained.
Q. I have already completed a degree involving programming (E.g. Computer Science or Software Engineering), but not for games, can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, but your prior learning will need to be considered as part of your application and the length of any apprenticeship may need to be shortened accordingly. If you have already studied C++ and have a degree in Computer Science then you would probably be better off applying directly for junior programming roles.
Q. I have already completed a degree in a different gaming discipline (E.g. Game Design or Game Art), can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, but your prior learning will need to be considered as part of your application and the length of any apprenticeship may need to be shortened accordingly.
Q. I have already completed a STEM degree which contained a programming module (E.g. Physics or Mathematics), can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, this programme is ideal for graduates with a STEM background who have some limited experience of programming.
Q. My degree didn't involve any programming, can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, provided that you meet the apprenticeship requirements and have done some introductory study into programming prior to applying
Q. I don't have a degree, can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, provided you meet the apprenticeship requirements (including being over 18), and have done some introductory study into programming prior to applying.
Q. I am already a professional programmer in a different industry, can I apply for this programme?
A. Yes, but the apprenticeship salary is non-negotiable.
Q. I don't graduate until next year, can I apply for the DITP?
A. The DITP is a full-time opportunity for six weeks and isn’t compatible with full-time study.
Q. Can I work alongside the DITP?
A. The DITP is a full-time opportunity for six weeks and isn’t compatible with working another full-time job.
Q. I have already completed a degree in game programming, can apply for the DITP?
A. No, sorry. You need to be eligible for the apprenticeship to apply for the Diversity Internship Training Programme (see more on this above).
Q. I have already completed a degree involving programming (E.g. Computer Science of Software Engineering), but not for games, can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes but please refer to the Apprenticeship FAQ above for how this might affect any subsequent apprenticeship(s).
Q. I have already completed a degree in a different gaming discipline (E.g. Game Design or Game Art), can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes but please refer to the Apprenticeship FAQ above for how this might affect any subsequent apprenticeship(s).
Q. I have already completed a STEM degree which contained a programming module (E.g. Physics or Mathematics), can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes this programme is ideal for graduates with a STEM background who have some limited experience in programming.
Q. My degree didn't involve any programming, can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes, provided that you meet the requirements and have done some introductory study into programming prior to applying.
Q. I don't have a degree, can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes, provided you meet the requirements (including being over 18) and have done some introductory study into programming prior to applying.
Q. I am already a professional programmer in a different industry, can I apply for the DITP?
A. Yes, but the salary is non-negotiable.