Game Development (Design) MA

Program Overview

Kingston University London's MA in Game Development (Design) equips students with the design skills necessary for the gaming industry. Through individual and team projects, students develop computer games using industry-standard software and facilities. The program emphasizes professional development through industry input, portfolio building, and optional professional placements, preparing graduates for careers as game designers, programmers, and other roles in the field.

Program Outline

The goal is to equip students with a professional presence, a strong portfolio, and a wide range of skills that will prepare them to impress potential employers.

Outline:

The program is delivered in a full-time format for either 1 or 2 years (including a professional placement) or part-time for 2 years. It includes core modules and optional modules:

Core Modules:

• Digital Studio Practice: Students work in multidisciplinary groups with other postgraduate students (User Experience Design MSc, Game Development (Programming) MSc, and Computer Animation MA) to create digital media projects responding to industry-driven briefs.
This module also involves developing a professional online portfolio and CV. Students learn about connected games programming, design, and portfolio development.
• Game Design: This module covers game design principles such as narratology, ludology, interactive fictions, play and engagement, level design, game flow, motivation, jeopardy, reward, and presenting ideas through technical demos and graphics.
• Digital Media Final Project: This capstone project consolidates knowledge gained in previous modules and involves developing a substantial solution to a design-related problem.
Students demonstrate their understanding of contemporary digital media practice through a critical report and practical work.
• Professional Placement: This module (optional) provides a 12-month professional placement opportunity, which students are responsible for finding and securing.

Assessment:

Assessment typically comprises exams, practical assessments (e.g., presentations, performances), and coursework (e.g., essays, reports, self-assessments, portfolios, dissertations).

• Year 1: 100% Coursework

Teaching:

The program is delivered through a combination of scheduled learning and teaching sessions and guided independent study.

• Guided Independent Study: Students are expected to engage in self-directed learning through reading, research, project work, coursework assignments, and presentations.
• Industry Practitioners: Regular input from industry professionals is incorporated, particularly through the games inKUbator, which features guest speakers and presentations.
The teaching team includes experienced academics with industry backgrounds.

Careers:

Graduates are well-suited for roles such as:

• Games Designer
• Games Programmer
• Indy Developer
• AI Programmer
• Software Engineer
• User Experience Designer

Other:

• Facilities: The program offers access to dedicated games laboratories, a Centre for Augmented and Virtual Environments (CAVE), computing labs with high-performance workstations, development software and tools (Unity 3D Professional, Unreal Engine 5, Visual Studio, Maya, Photoshop), VR headsets (Oculus Quest 2s, PlayStation VR), PlayStation 5 development kits, and high-end digital cameras.

Home 2025/26 MA full time £11,400 MA part time £6,270 International 2025/26 MA full time £17,600 MA part time £9,680 Home 2024/25 MA full time £10,900 MA part time £5,995 International 2024/25 MA full time £16,900 MA part time £9,295