BA (Hons) Games Design

Program Overview

BA (Hons) Games Design

Course Overview

Our BA (Hons) Games Design course is perfect for aspiring game designers eager to make their mark in the multi-billion-pound games sector. Based at our dedicated arts campus, you'll be part of a thriving creative community, collaborating with students across art, animation, and media disciplines. This is a design-focused degree—not a programming course—so your time will be dedicated to the art, storytelling, and creative vision behind games. You’ll learn how to develop concepts, craft storyboards, and bring your ideas to life through 2D and 3D playable prototypes. From drawing and visualisation to 3D modelling, texturing, and concept art, you'll master the essential tools of the trade using industry-standard software and game engines. With 75% of the course delivered through practical learning, you’ll gain real-world experience working on individual and group projects, including a final-year major project and group game production. Modules also explore game theory, the creative economy, professional practice, and audience engagement, giving you a complete understanding of the games design pipeline and industry landscape. You'll graduate with a standout portfolio, ready to launch a successful career in games design or the wider creative industries.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Brampton Road
• Institute: Institute of Education, Arts and Society
• UCAS Code: W282
• Delivery Style: Blended Learning
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Study Options: Integrated Foundation Year
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BA (Hons)

Entry Requirements

• 104-112 UCAS Tariff points
• Qualifications: A-levels: BCC - BBC, T-levels: P (C+) – M, Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit, CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B, OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM, Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA, Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2

Tuition Fees

• 2025 - 2026: £9,535 - UK, £14,900 - International
• 2024 - 2025: £9,250 - UK, £13,575 - International

Course Structure

What you will learn

• On this programme, you will learn to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences. However, this is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. You will learn all about art and design, developing storyboards and concepts which you will later turn into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D).

Year one

• Cultural Contexts: Intro to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be discussed, examined, and analysed.
• Collaborative Practice: Explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
• Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art: Develop drawing as a fundamental skill in your practice and acquire the knowledge to understand the purpose of concept art as a tool visualising concepts for games.
• 3D Modelling: Enhance your knowledge of the professional three-dimensional visualisation for video games and digital media productions.
• Gaming For Game Designers: Introduction to the basic ideas and models in Game Theory.

Year two

• Understanding the Creative Economy: Contextualise the cultural and economic changes giving rise to the emergence of the creative economy as a leading sector in the UK and global economy.
• Working in the Creative Economy: Introduce to the professional practices associated with the creative industries by means of a series of guest lectures, presentations, tutorials and workshops.
• Concept To Prototype: Introduction to real-world scenarios in relation to working, in small groups, in the business world, and on client briefs.
• Concept Art & Visualisation 2: Explore and develop visualisation techniques appropriate to games design.
• Texturing: Enhance your knowledge of the professional texturing techniques used in the Games industry.

Year three

• Theory and Research Methods in the Arts: Preparation for successfully undertaking your dissertation project.
• Dissertation
• Group Game Project: Develop teamwork and communication skills while you work in small groups on a specified brief to produce a working game.
• Markets, Audiences & Exhibition: Develop the skills necessary to identify, generate and successfully access opportunities in the workplace and/or in continuing education.
• Major Project: Develop the skills necessary to enable you to produce work for your final project.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

• During your degree you will learn through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, reviews, pitching, and one to one tutorials. You will undertake self-directed research throughout each year that reinforces your creative practice. Students will be encouraged to collaborate with classmates through group work, online forums, and debates to develop essential skills and critical thinking.

How you will be assessed

• Summative and formative assessments will take place throughout each academic year. You will be continually involved in the assessment of your own work and that of your peers, alongside receiving critical feedback from tutors.
• A wide range of authentic assessment types will be used to help you develop your academic and work-related skills.
• Specific examples of this: Module Work Book, bespoke ebooks, containing information, formative tasks, self grading exercises, embedded video clips, etc. to assist in specific modules ILO’s but also to enhance a culture of independent learning. Presentations/Pitching, where you are able to show work to Tutors and Peers in advance of Assignment Submission. Seminars & Project Surgeries, a series of developmental seminars run where you review and comment on each others work, guided by tutors. All of these activities promote learning partnerships between you, your peers and the staff.

Additional Costs

• Books: Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.
• Stationery: Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BA (Hons) Games Design course is designed to prepare students for a career in the video game industry. It focuses on the art and design aspects of game development, including storyboarding, concept creation, and prototyping. Students gain skills in 3D modeling, texturing, level design, and game theory, using industry-standard software.

Objectives:

• Develop students' ability to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences.
• Equip students with the skills to compete in the growing games industry.
• Provide a strong foundation in art and design principles relevant to video games.
• Foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Outline:

Year One

• Cultural Contexts:
Introduces the cultural, historical, and social contexts of creative work, examining and analyzing various disciplines.
• Collaborative Practice:
Students explore and practice collaborative skills in creative environments.
• Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art:
Develops drawing as a fundamental skill and teaches the use of concept art for visualizing game ideas.
• 3D Modelling:
Enhances knowledge of 3D visualization for video games and digital media productions.
• Gaming For Game Designers:
Provides an introduction to basic concepts and models in game theory.

Year Two

• Understanding the Creative Economy:
Contextualizes the cultural and economic shifts that have led to the rise of the creative economy.
• Working in the Creative Economy:
Introduces professional practices within the creative industries through guest lectures, presentations, workshops, and tutorials.
• Concept To Prototype:
Students work in small groups to develop concepts and prototypes in real-world scenarios.
• Concept Art & Visualisation 2:
Further explores and develops visualization techniques specific to games design.
• Texturing:
Expands on professional texturing techniques used in the games industry.

Year Three

• Theory and Research Methods in the Arts:
Prepares students for their dissertation project, emphasizing research methodologies.
• Dissertation:
Students complete an in-depth dissertation project.
• Group Game Project:
Students work in teams to develop a working game, focusing on teamwork and communication skills.
• Markets, Audiences & Exhibition:
Develops skills for identifying, generating, and accessing opportunities in the workplace or further education.
• Major Project:
Students create a significant final project to showcase their skills and knowledge.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods:
A combination of summative and formative assessments is used throughout the year.
• Assessment types:
Module workbooks, bespoke ebooks, presentations, pitching, seminars, project surgeries, and peer feedback are employed to evaluate student learning.
• Assessment focus:
The assessment process emphasizes developing both academic and work-related skills.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods:
Teaching is delivered through a blend of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, reviews, pitching, and one-to-one tutorials.
• Learning environment:
Students are encouraged to engage in self-directed research and collaborate with classmates through group work, online forums, and debates.
• Campus facilities:
The course takes place on campus with occasional opportunities for field trips to gain inspiration.

Other:

• Guest lectures:
Industry professionals regularly give guest lectures to provide insights and connections.
• Dedicated labs:
Students have access to dedicated games design labs equipped with industry-standard software.
• Industry trips:
Opportunities exist for students to attend industry events, such as EGX and Develop: Brighton, to gain inspiration and network.
• Transferable skills:
Students develop a range of digital skills applicable to various careers.
• Resources:
Students can borrow motion capture software and VR headsets for their projects.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• Tuition Fees
2024 - 2025 £9,250 - UK £13,575 - International
• The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
• Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year.
The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.