Games Design

Our Games Design degree will prepare you for a life in the games industry. You’ll gain an understanding of games design from the creative process to game engines, such as Unreal Engine. We examine the principles and theories of games design, systems, mechanics, narrative, and gameplay, while equipping you with the knowledge and understanding of professional workflows and software.

Considering students as ‘professionals in training’, this 3 year course will form the foundation of your workplace practice.

The first year provides foundational skill and knowledge in games theory and development. This includes an academic approach to games and the concept of play; also a broad study of 3D modelling, game and level design, audio, narrative and gameplay loops.

The second year will consolidate and develop your skills with advanced 3D modelling and games design modules. You will have the opportunity to understake some research in an area of games design of your choice and with our games specialism module, you will be able to experiment and develop an understanding of your specialism.

By the final year, you will be ready to embark on your self-directed final year project which will focus on your chosen career specialism. You will also devise and create a working game demo. Supported by tutors in a ‘producer’ role, you will put into practice your previous two years of learning, as well as continue to stretch your ability and understanding as your projects progress. You will also undertake a research-based module which will allow you to reflect on games industry trends to come up with a hypothesis on the future of games. Finally, rounding off the year, you will be taught the skills to prepare you to apply for jobs in the games industry.

Final projects are tailored to not only be the best possible degree submissions, but also the backbone of portfolios, so that, by the time of graduation, you are ready for the workplace or post-graduate study.

YEAR 1
Historical Contextual Studies (20 credits)
Narrative Design (20 credits
Introduction to Games Design (40 credits)
Digital Games Design (20 credits)
3D Modelling Fundamentals (20 credits)

YEAR 2
Applied Games Design (40 credits)
Advanced 3D Modelling (40 credits)
Research Project (20 credits)
Games Specialism (20 credits)

YEAR 3
Major Project (40 credits)
Game Prototype (40 credits)
Games Future Research (20 credits)
Professional Development (20 credits)

WHAT ARE CREDITS?
As a guide, 20 credits typically represents around 52 hours of tutor contact time (e.g. lectures/workshops/feedback) and 148 hours of self-study time (usually over the course of a semester). These numbers may increase or decrease depending on the nature, length and level of the module, especially towards the end of the course.

We want to do everything we can to prepare you for working within the creative industries, and this is reflected in the way we teach and assess you. The programme is mostly coursework based, which means your tutors will be able to give you regular, constructive feedback. Presentation techniques will give you valuable experience of how to present your thoughts and ideas successfully and enthusiastically, so you are better at selling your ideas to prospective employers. The written work is an important part of assessment and will improve your communication skills.

There is formative and summative feedback for all modules. Formative feedback is given on a mid-module assignment; the final module mark and summative feedback is based 100% on an end of module assignment. Assessment is based around performance in solutions to briefs and project work and assessment takes place through a series of small exhibitions, hand ins and crits.