Games Design Degree Course

Program Overview

This games design program fosters creativity and innovation in a collaborative environment. It covers conceptual, visual, and digital game development, equipping students with industry-standard skills and insights through project-based learning and live industry collaborations. Graduates have successfully worked for renowned game companies and established thriving businesses, showcasing the program's effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers in the gaming industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This games design degree offers you a dynamic and friendly creative environment. You're encouraged and inspired to play, learn and think creatively. Games Design covers the conceptual, visual and digital development of games. You'll be given industry insight that will equip you to seek employment in the trade. You'll be encouraged to play, to question the nature of games and express the ideas formulated through personal project work. As your skills develop, you'll undertake live projects linked to games developers. You also have the opportunity to undertake structured work experience during your studies. You’ll work to real deadlines, getting the chance to express your own creative ideas and skills through your project work. All while using the latest industry-standard games software.

Outline:

It looks at contemporary games and those from other cultures. You will take part in briefs designed to shape, focus, and extend your creative approach to game design. You'll be introduced to concepts and terminology related to your subject and you'll develop your theoretical knowledge, skills and understanding of your subject discipline, as well as the ethical and legal issues involved.

• Optional Modules:
You'll study game development in relation to established theory and practice. You'll also learn the process of adopting, adapting, and creating game elements to generate innovative new play situations. You'll follow a design process from research through the practical development of creative ideas to deliver an appropriate outcome. Explore a variety of techniques and gain skills in time management, planning, organisation, and communication.
• Year 2:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Game Development:
We aim to enable you to explore game ideas through practice and develop specialist knowledge that relates to creative 2D or 3D digital Game Play. You will further develop your creative design skills through an exploratory approach and test the practical application of design ideas.
• Optional Modules:
• Visual Skills:
You will develop visual interface skills using appropriate technologies. The module encourages research into the work of professional game artists and designers. You will also gain layout and presentation skills for showcasing games, assets, and designs.
• 3D Modelling: In this module you will gain the skills to take your ideas further.
• Heading into The Games Industry: On this module you'll be encouraged to research into the work of professional game artists and designers.
You will identify good practice for entry to the industry. And, you will develop layout and presentation skills for showcasing portfolio ready games assets and designs. You'll gain an understanding of the interrelation of game aspects and their manifestation in play. You'll explore how the engine is used to generate specific outcomes. The module will help you understand scene composition, presentation, and associated factors.
• Year 3:
• Compulsory Modules:
• Games Proposal:
This double module focuses on creativity, research and development, idea generation, and the definition of the final major piece of work you will undertake later in the course.
• Honours Project: This module will enable you to draw together the skills you have gained so far to devise a coherent integrated project based upon a major theme.
You'll be expected to demonstrate analytical and critical skills, become an independent learner, and deploy the skills and knowledge you've built up over the course in the organisation and presentation of your project. You'll create working solutions that are technically and aesthetically comprehensive.

Assessment:

The games design course is delivered through a structured series of games development projects. Supported by lectures on game theory, visualisation techniques, digital modelling, and professional practice. The main teaching activity takes the form of project briefs in a studio environment. These are supported by lectures and workshops which develop specific skills. Lectures are further supported by a programme of visiting lecturers and industry professionals. Coursework is continually assessed through the project work. There are some specific assignments relating to skill areas.

Teaching:

The course is supported by guest lecturers from game developers and other industry professionals. You'll have the opportunity for structured work experience with a games developer. For example TT Games, Ninja Theory, Sumo Digital, Lucid Games, Media Molecule, Firesprite, Supermassive Games and Rebellion. Some of other graduates have built very successful businesses. White Paper Games, set up by our Games and Animation alumni, was founded 10 years ago and we have great relationships with the founders who to this day, support student learning on the Games Design course. When you graduate from the games design course you'll be able to display a rich portfolio of work that will showcase your skills. Your graduate work will showcase visualisation, digital modelling and a solid foundation in game design and documentation. These skills and others developed on the course are identified by the games industry as key talents in modern Games Designers.

Other:

The course team have a wide variety of skills. They have experience developing your skills in visualisation, creative thinking, digital modelling and games development. Team members include Bev Bush, Senior Lecturer, who was named in the Women in Games Top 100 (2013). Course staff also includes Associate Lecturers Pete Bottomley and James Burton of White Paper Games. The course is part of the Unreal Academic Partner Program. It also recognises our commitment to excellent student experience in preparation for their future careers. You'll get the chance to work on live projects with companies. Many previous students have been able to gain credits for commercially sold games - a real boost to their CVs as they move into the jobs market.

2024/25 UK Full-time £9,250 per year International Full-time £16,500 per year