I'm looking at going to University next September to study Games Technology, this is the course: http://courses.uwe.ac.uk/G611/2012

I'm currently living with my partner, working full time and renting a house. Going back to Uni would be a big struggle for those three years, I'd be moving into student housing and my girlfriend back home.

Is it really worth it? Would my time be better spent teaching myself, building a portfolio, making mods, being recognised online? or is a degree the only way to even be given a look with most of these companies nowadays.

I know the student debt doesn't affect much and the repayments are small, but it would still be there, and that's a lot of money when I may have been able to find another way into the industry.

I'm not sure what I want to specialise in, I have an interest in the programming and design side, but I'm leaning more towards level/map design and that kind of thing..

I'm looking at going to University next September to study Games Technology, this is the course: http://courses.uwe.ac.uk/G611/2012

I'm currently living with my partner, working full time and renting a house. Going back to Uni would be a big struggle for those three years, I'd be moving into student housing and my girlfriend back home.

Is it really worth it? Would my time be better spent teaching myself, building a portfolio, making mods, being recognised online? or is a degree the only way to even be given a look with most of these companies nowadays.

I know the student debt doesn't affect much and the repayments are small, but it would still be there, and that's a lot of money when I may have been able to find another way into the industry.

I'm not sure what I want to specialise in, I have an interest in the programming and design side, but I'm leaning more towards level/map design and that kind of thing..

If it is worth it or not depends on you and your situation, to get a gamedev job you will most likely need a portfolio anyway but without a degree it has to be significantly stronger (You need something impressive to put at the top of your CV to keep it from going in the bin, contacts can help aswell)).
Then there is also the other parts of going to school, you will learn alot and meet alot of people aiming to work in the same industry which by itself is extremely valuable.

You have to remember though that a degree is not a guranteed ticket into any industry, You will still have to work hard to stand out from the crowd.

1. Uni or Portfolio?
2. I'm looking at going to University ...
3. Is it really worth it?
4. is a degree the only way to even be given a look with most of these companies nowadays.
5. I'm not sure what I want to specialise in

1. That's a false choice. You need both.
2. Good start.
3. That's a question only you can answer.
4. No. Having a degree and a portfolio is the best way (but not the only way).
5. Knowing yourself makes decision-making easier, but I can sympathize with you on this one. I didn't know myself, either, at your age. Go get that degree. During the process, you'll learn more about yourself and about those two careers, and will get a better idea which you like more.

Some food for thought without going into too many details.

Recently I've experienced an unexpected additional value to getting a degree.
A company was willing to hire me based on my skills alone, but my degree was essential in dealing with immigration to get a work permit.