Games Design with foundation year

In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect. While we work to update our systems, you may see both names used in the information we provide.

Want to turn your passion for games into a career? Our BSc (Hons) Games Design with foundation year graduates have a proven track record of success. Our experienced games tutors are ready to support and guide you on your mission to develop the technical knowledge and creative skills demanded by this ever-growing industry.

The UK market for video games reached a record £7.16billion in 2021 (1). If you seek a career in a strong sector of the economy, then a career in games is an excellent choice. From PC, console and mobile games to serious games for education and training and the emerging virtual reality games market, software developers seek highly qualified games specialists.

The first year of our 4-year BSc (Hons) Games Design with foundation year degree offers an introductory study into games. The emphasis is on creativity, with specialisation on the route that you want to follow. Key topics include simple games production using industry recognised platforms and technologies. Our dedicated games team will work to help you develop your skills, preparing you for your degree. Our teaching aims to develop you to be able to work in the games industry.

The foundation year constitutes a “bridge” between further education and higher education. There is a greater emphasis on practical work, with dedicated support to help you to prepare for the more demanding academic tasks on the degree programme proper.

Once you've successfully completed the foundation year, you'll automatically progress onto the main degree programme where your studies will focus specifically on games design (though you'll have the chance to transfer streams to BA (Hons) Games Art or BSc (Hons) Games Programming on completion if you prefer^). Throughout the degree, you will undertake a broad study of games, emphasising the technical, design and innovation aspects rather than programming. Key topics include content production, games and level design, as well as platforms and technologies. Our dedicated games team will help you develop skills and knowledge in games analysis, usability and playability testing, games production and the business of computer games.

Team-based projects involving regular critique sessions are designed to help you develop the high level of teamwork and communication skills vital in the games industry. Our intensely practical, hands-on approach aims to encourage and support you to develop a high-quality portfolio of work ready to demonstrate your skills and creative air to potential employers.

(1) Ukie - https://ukie.org.uk/consumer-games-market-valuation-2021 accessed on 13 July 2022

^Subject to approval by the relevant programme leader