Games Development (with optional placement year)

Embark on an unparalleled Games Studio experience that sets you apart.
Our Games Development degree offers an immersive journey like no other. From day one, you'll dive into a fully integrated games studio environment, putting your skills to work on actual games. Industry leaders, senior peers, and qualified mentors provide constant guidance, enriching your voyage.

Unveil your potential through the Games Development Pathway system as you shape your games studio project. Immerse yourself in diverse, industry career paths and receive mentorship to pinpoint your specialisation. Enhance your degree by showcasing your creations in the prestigious UK Games Funded Tranzfuser competition and joining our illustrious Games Hub, home to consistent finalists since 2016. Experience the grandeur of Game Anglia, the largest games festival in the East of England and present your projects at the indie development zone, captivating industry professionals and earning recognition.

Delve into the forefront of gaming innovation.
Our curriculum blends cutting-edge industry practices with ground-breaking academic research. Unlike other UK institutions, we fuse games design with psychology and neuroscientific insights, creating a well-rounded foundation. Your journey to become a successful games developer encompasses these vital perspectives, equipping you for the evolving industry landscape. Witness the evolution of our award-winning student-made games, crafted within a professional studio environment under expert mentorship. Our alumni are employed by leading industry giants, contributing to games you've enjoyed like Hogwarts Legacy, Watch Dogs 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, Killzone Mercenary, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and more.

Chart your path to success from day one.
Gain direct exposure to industry giants like Bandai Namco and Ubisoft. Feed an entrepreneurial spirit through our Games Hub, guiding you in taking games to market and even funding your ventures through student competitions. Elevate your projects using specialised equipment like eye-tracking and VR headsets. Forge a solid career foundation through placements and our Professional Practice module. Leverage the expertise of our academic team and The Ipswich Games Hub to secure Tranzfuser funding for your game. Our thriving student game jam community, exemplified by the annual Global Game Jam, challenges you to create a game in 48 hours, pushing your creative boundaries.

Choose your specialisation
There are two core pathways offered as part of BSc (Hons) Games Development focus on Design and Programming. In the first year, you will study three core modules and three modules that you have chosen from the pathway system. On the design pathway, you will become architects of engaging and emotive experiences reflecting the fundamental need for you to understand your audience intimately, designing for desirable emotions, and for the anticipation of those desirable emotions.

On completion of the course graduates can apply for work as games designers and seek work within the games industry generally. They can also become involved in film and TV production or develop careers in design. Alternatively they can progress to postgraduate level study at the University. BA Games Development run a commercial games company ‘Waterfront Games’ which offers paid internship opportunities to graduating students.