87,000 Attendees, Hundreds of Opportunities: Inside UK Games Expo with SAE Leamington Spa

More Than a Day Out

Recently, Games students from SAE Leamington attended UK Games Expo, one of the largest board gaming conventions in the world. With more than 87,000 attendees this year, the event continues to grow year-on-year and is now recognised as the third-largest board game convention globally and the second-largest in Europe.

For students studying Games Design, Games Art & Animation and Games Programming, it was an opportunity to experience a side of the games industry many had never explored before.

Among those attending was SAE Games graduate Rahad Uddin, who understands first-hand the value of industry experiences and networking opportunities. Together with the Games team, he helped students navigate the event, connect with industry professionals and discover just how many career pathways exist beyond traditional video game development.

Discovering the Scale of the Games Industry

For many aspiring developers, gaming begins with video games.

But one of the biggest takeaways from UK Games Expo was seeing the scale of the wider games industry.

The event brought together publishers, designers, artists, manufacturers, retailers and developers from across the globe, all connected by a shared passion for creating games.

“The board game space is huge,” explains Rahad. “A lot of students come from a video game background, but events like this show them there are many different pathways into the games industry.”

From tabletop design and publishing to art, prototyping and product development, students were exposed to opportunities they may never have previously considered.

Networking Starts Before Graduation

One of the most valuable aspects of the event wasn’t a talk or a workshop.

It was the conversations.

Across the exhibition floor, students met independent creators, small studios and developers showcasing prototypes and new games.

Many of the people exhibiting were only a few years ahead of where SAE students are today.

That makes events like UK Games Expo incredibly accessible.

Students weren’t simply observing the industry. They were actively engaging with it.

“That could be your future employer,” says Rahad. “You could be an artist for that game. You could be a designer. You could give feedback that leads to a future opportunity.”

At SAE Leamington, networking is a key part of the student experience. Events like UK Games Expo allow students to practise those skills in real-world environments while building confidence and industry connections.

Learning Through Community

One of the things that stood out most was the sense of community throughout the event.

Unlike many large-scale conventions, UK Games Expo creates opportunities for direct interaction between creators and attendees.

Students were able to ask questions, test prototypes, share ideas and connect with people from a wide range of creative backgrounds.

The event also highlighted the inclusive nature of modern game development, with creators exploring diverse stories, perspectives and audiences through their work.

“It’s a very welcoming space,” Rahad explains. “Students get exposed to lots of different people, different ideas and different ways of thinking.”

Those experiences help students develop communication skills, confidence and professional relationships that are just as important as technical ability.

Games Can Do More Than Entertain

Alongside the main exhibition, members of the SAE Leamington team attended the event’s Education Track, a series of talks exploring how board games can be used to tackle real-world challenges and support learning.

The sessions explored how games can help educate people about social issues, encourage problem-solving and create meaningful conversations around important topics.

For the team, it was a reminder that games are far more than entertainment.

They are tools for storytelling.

Tools for learning.

And tools for creating positive change.

“It was really inspiring to see how games can be used to educate people about real-world problems,” says Rahad. “It opens up a completely different way of thinking about design.”

Why Experiences Like This Matter

At SAE Leamington, industry engagement is built into the student experience.

Students are regularly encouraged to attend networking events, industry talks, conferences and expos, helping them develop the professional skills and connections that support long-term careers.

The goal isn’t simply to build technical knowledge.

It’s to help students understand how the industry works, build confidence in professional environments and create opportunities that can support their future ambitions.

Because sometimes the most valuable thing you take away from an event isn’t what you learned.

It’s who you met.

Building Futures Through Industry Connections

Opportunities like UK Games Expo reflect what makes SAE Leamington unique.

Students don’t just learn about the games industry. They become part of it.

Whether it’s discovering a new career path, speaking to independent developers, testing new ideas or making connections that could lead to future opportunities, every conversation has the potential to open a door.

As Rahad puts it, getting your foot in the door is often the hardest part.

The rest starts with showing up.

At SAE Leamington, we’re proud to create opportunities that help students do exactly that.

Start Your GAMES Career at SAE LEAMINGTON SPA

If you’re serious about working in games, it’s not just about what you learn. It’s about what you create, how you develop your ideas, and how early you start applying them in real-world environments.

At SAE Leamington Spa, students don’t just study games. They develop projects, showcase their work, and take their ideas into the industry.

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