Program Overview

The Games Design and Production With Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate program aimed at providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Games Design and Production course.

Introduction

The Foundation Year of this four-year program aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Games Design and Production course.

Attendance and Duration

• Attendance: Full-time
• Course duration: Four years
• Next enrolment: September 2025

Introduction to the Course

This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design, and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, give you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarize yourself with the School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology and life as a student at Salford.

What Will I Be Doing?

• Coursework: 60%
• Presentations: 40%

Course Structure

The course has the following structure:

• Year 1:
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Visual Arts
  • Game Design Fundamentals
  • Digital Graphics
  • Entertainment Technologies
  • Principles of Digital Game Design
• Year 2:
  • Agile Production Management
  • Digital Narrative Technologies
  • Games Design Planning
  • Games Design Prototyping
  • Optional Module: Games Engine Programming or Digital Environment Art
• Year 3:
  • Final Project Development
  • Creative Portfolio
  • Practice-Based Dissertation

Employment and Stats

Graduates from this course have gone to work in a variety of fields across the games industry, including level/game designer, 3D artist, tools/engine programmer, and producer.

Further Study

Graduates from this course could go on to study one of the following Postgraduate courses:

• MA Animation
• MSc Games and Extended Reality (XR)

A Taste of What You Could Become

• Games Designer
• 3D Artist
• Applications Developer
• Animator
• Data Scientist
• More

Career Links

The course involves industry partners on several levels, ranging from guest lecturers, live briefs, and placement opportunities.

Requirements

• Application Process: In your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), please explain why you are interested in Games Design and Production, what inspires you in the gaming sector, and what you hope to gain from the Foundation Year.
• Standard Entry Requirements:
  • GCSE: English Language and Maths at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent).
  • A Levels: 64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred.
  • T Levels: Pass with D or E in core subject.
  • UCAS Tariff Points: 64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Art and Design qualification preferred.
  • BTEC National Diploma: MPP including Art & Design.
  • Access to HE: Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 points (relevant subject).
  • Scottish Highers: 64 points including Art & Design.
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 64 points including Art & Design.
  • International Baccalaureate: 24 points.
  • European Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with at least 60% overall.
• Alternative Entry Requirements: Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES) for students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully.

Tuition Fees

Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. The fee stated reflects the proposed change but remains subject to parliamentary approval:

• Type of Study: Full-time home
• Year: 2025/26
• Fees: £8,505 for the Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years.
• Year: 2026/27
• Fees: £8,505 for the Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years.

Additional Costs

You should also consider further costs, which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.