Computer Games Design

Do you want to create games? Our Computer Games Design degree is perfect for you. You will learn to become a 3D artist, animator, or games designer. We have excellent industry partners to support you.

You will use powerful tools like Unreal Engine and Unity games engines. Learning from industry professionals, with real-world experience, we will support you in developing a career-ready portfolio of work to showcase your skills to future employers.

During the course, your studies will include game design theory, level and environment design, and programming. Our top game development facilities include the latest Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe CC) software, providing you with all the necessary tools, to succeed in your studies. Small class sizes mean our industry-experienced staff will be able to guide you every step of the way.

Get hands-on experience with AR/VR development and animation, learning the latest game technologies. Our course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of creative, critical, analytical, and interpretive skills necessary for designing and implementing computer games. We aim to enhance your development both as an individual and as a member of a team.

By the time you graduate, you will have the skills and experience needed for a career in the gaming industry. You will be able to work with leading studios or start your own projects. This degree will set you on the right path for a successful career in games design.

We believe in empowering you to design and create interactive projects that truly showcase your game development knowledge. Our course is all about encouraging your creative exploration while ensuring you develop the technical skills needed to succeed in the competitive world of computer games design.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn to produce a wide variety of game design projects, preparing you for roles like Level Artist, Environmental Modeller, Character Artist, Texture Artist, and Concept Artist. By understanding the full production cycle and its social and cultural contexts, you’ll be well-equipped to enter the gaming industry as a skilled and thoughtful professional.

Year 1:
In your first year of the Computer Games Design course, you’ll begin to explore the world of game development. You’ll start with learning the basics of character creation, 3D graphics, and animation. In seminars and workshops, you will explore game mechanics and rule systems through fun, hands-on projects, often using paper-based concept mock-ups to get a real feel for how games are made. Our small tutorial groups mean you get plenty of personalised support from your lecturers, helping you to build your skills and confidence right from the start.

Visual Studies (20 credits)
Introduction to Character Animation (20 credits)
Environment Design (20 credits)
Academic and Professional Development (10 Credits)
Introduction to 3D Modelling (10 Credits)
Game Design and History (20 credits)
Games for Positive Impact (20 Credits)

Year 2:
As you move into the second year, you’ll build on what you’ve learned, tackling more advanced topics like character and environment modelling, texturing, and interface design. This is when your projects start to get more complex and innovative. You’ll also look at the bigger picture with contextual studies, understanding the social and cultural sides of game design.

Game Theory and Design (20 credits)
Level Design and Development (20 Credits)
Narrative and World-Building (10 Credits)
Advanced Character Animation (20 credits)
Indie Game Development (20 credits)
Evolving your Creative Craft (20 Credits)
Sound Design (10 Credits)

Year 3:
In your final year, it’s all about specialising in what you love most. Whether you’re into character art, environmental modelling, or something else, you’ll direct your studies towards your passion. This year culminates in personally directed projects where you’ll produce professional-quality work that showcases your unique style. By the end of the course, you’ll have a stunning portfolio and be ready to step into the gaming industry.

Independent Project (40 credits)
Emerging Trends (20 credits)
User Experience Design (20 credits)
Personal Portfolio Development (20 Credits)
Advanced Character Performance (20 Credits)

Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module, summative assessment takes place at the end of a module.

In order to maintain academic integrity, a range of strategies are adopted. Most practical work includes formal written elements of some sort: everything from the standard essay format through to things like usability reports, product definition documents, responses to/critiques of seminal academic papers, learning journals, business plans, etc. At Level 6 all students will have to complete a Dissertation.

From L4 onwards students are also widely assessed in presentations, culminating at L6 in the Major Project. We have found the viva voce style assessment well-suited to the work we do within the School, which, whilst having a technical underpinning, often has strong similarities to fine art practice.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS