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Computer Games Design

Course details
  • 2 Study options
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview
The games and tech industries continue to dominate the globe, and they're always seeking game designers and developers. Become their next rising star on our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design degree course.

With help from our teaching team of games industry experts, you'll dive into the theory of game design and development. You can specialise as a programmer or artist, designing, developing, and testing games for different audiences using our advanced game development facilities. For an extra boost to your professional experience, you can complete an optional work placement.

Discover what it takes to become an industry-ready games designer at Portsmouth, two-time winner of the TIGA Best Educational Institution Award (2021, 2014).

Why study Computer Games Design at Portsmouth?
You'll be able to:

  • Explore how games are constructed by learning a variety of theories – including systems, gameplay, psychology, user experience, and narrative

  • Work with next-gen technologies in our impressive facilities including the UK's first ever Centre for Creative Immersive and Extended Reality (CCIXR)

  • Enhance your teamworking skills by collaborating with other Games students on game projects – including or prize-giving annual University GameJam event

  • Learn from an expert teaching team with strong links to local, national and international games companies –including Rare, Codemasters, Jagex, Climax and Stainless

  • Gain valuable professional experience by completing an optional work placement – with a company or self-employed

  • Broaden your cultural experience by studying abroad in Europe

  • Impress your future employers by showcasing your work at our annual Graduate Showcase

Modules

Course Modules

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year
• Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams
• Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit the link to the course page.

https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-computer-games-design

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Independent Game Developers' Association

How to apply

Application codes

Institution code:
P80

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
BBC-BBB

112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

T Level
M

A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

UCAS Tariff
112-120

112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Scottish Higher

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma. Must be accompanied by a relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.

Scottish Advanced Higher

112-120 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 24

24 points from the IB Diploma, with 444 at Higher Level. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts/visual arts is required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM-DDM

A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3H3H3H3H4-H3H3H3H3H3

A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Cambridge Pre-U score of 48-50. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
Applicants without a relevant subject or experience will be asked to provide a portfolio to support their application.
Other
A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Undergraduate fees for 2027 entry will be available shortly.

For more information about fees, go to https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs

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