MA Games and Playful Design

Program Overview

It emphasizes pushing games into new territories, with a focus on industry-oriented development, VR, AR, and alternative controllers. Graduates gain transferable skills valuable in game design and other industries, including XR studios, interactive film, and education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Master's program focuses on utilizing game design to develop aesthetic awareness and create meaningful experiences.

Outline:

• Length: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
• Department: Computing
• Compulsory modules:
• Approaches to Play 1 (15 credits)
• Approaches to Play 2 (15 credits)
• Final Project in Games and Playful Design (60 credits)
• Interactive Narrative and Digital Storytelling (15 credits)
• Visual Game Development (15 credits) or Games Programming 1 (15 credits)
• Optional modules: 60 credits across a selection of 15 and 30-credit modules from the Department of Computing
• Structure: The program encourages pushing games into new territories and intellectual domains, exploring industry-oriented development, VR, AR, creating alternative controllers, large-scale installations, immersive theatre experiences, and more.
• Activities: Regular game jams and industry events on campus

Teaching:

The program offers hands-on learning with access to specialist lab facilities and a large library of video and board games. Students benefit from a vibrant environment led by lecturers with solid experience in the games industry and other experience design industries.

Careers:

Graduates gain a host of transferrable skills valuable in game design and other industries, including independent games, XR studios, interactive film, advertising, media outlets, journalism, non-profits, education, design, and fine arts.

Other:

• The program encourages exploring games in a broad way, from industry-oriented development to VR, AR, building your own alternative controllers, and creating large-scale installations or immersive theatre experiences.
• The program fosters a supportive community of game creators, enabling students to work individually or collaborate with fellow students from other games and art programs.

Additional notes:

• For specific questions about the degree, contact Fede Fasce or Alan Zucconi.

Annual tuition fees These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year. Home - full-time: £12520 Home - part-time: £6260 International - full-time: £18560 Additional costs There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme.