Computer Gameplay Design and Production (with a placement year)

If you love the idea of developing exciting and experimental games, then this degree is for you. It's ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in games production, narrative design, gameplay design, or technical design.

During the course you will focus upon the fundamental design principles that underpin modern game production along with practical hands-on experience using the latest game engine software.

Our academics offer expertise from a variety of backgrounds encompassing games design, fine art, interactive media, digital technology, virtual simulation, narratology, audio production and research roles. We will encourage and support you to develop fun, exciting and innovative prototypes, helping you take your ideas from initial concepts to playable games.

We have a state-of-the-art facilities including VR/XR studios, motion capture, a virtual production studio, 3D printing and fabrication and electronics labs. Providing you with the creative freedom to bring your ideas to life.

To support your future career, you will have opportunities to meet with games industry professionals through a range of on-campus events such as conferences, talks, competitions, mock job interviews and portfolio reviews.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Computer Gameplay Design and Production

Course Modules

Year One: Introduction to Games Design; Mechanics Prototyping; Narrative Worldbuilding; Pre-Production for Gameplay Designers

Year Two Core: Experimental Games Production; Game Production Studio; Systems Design for Games
Year Two Optional: Cross Reality; User Interface Design; Writing for Video Games; Rational Level Design; Audio Design for Games

Year Three Core: Placement Year

Year Four Core: Interactive Storytelling and the choice of one of the following: Final Year Project: Technical Artefact; Final Year Project: Collaborative Project; Final Year Project: Dissertation
Year Four Optional: Advanced Level Design; Programming for Game Designers; Prototyping for Technical Design; Rapid Games Design

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework materials, such as development logs, playable games, reports, portfolio content, project demonstrations, presentations, videos and project files. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark