Games Development

Program Overview

Games Development

BA (Hons)

Overview

Turn your love of games into a career with our hands-on, industry-focused Games Development course.

• Build a diverse portfolio of games and playful experiences that showcases your talents and inspires curiosity.
• Learn new creative and technical skills by making experimental and imaginative games that push boundaries.
• Develop essential and in-demand skills: collaboration, adaptability, and professional practice.

Top 25 in the UK

for Teaching Quality in Computer Science (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025)

Course Structure

Year one

• Build a tabletop game and a portfolio of mini game prototypes.
• Key topics include:
  • Understanding game concepts, rules, and the psychology of gaming
  • History of gaming and games theory
  • Introduction to game engines and coding
  • Graphic design, illustration for 2D character, and level design
  • Prototyping and testing games concepts

Year two

• Build a 2D, a 3D, and a VR game.
• Key topics include:
  • Technical development and design skills for both 2D and 3D games
  • Writing interactive narratives
  • Marketing and entrepreneurship
  • 3D modelling and animation
  • Sound design
  • Extended realities working with the Bristol VR Lab

Year three

• Build a serious game, a tangible game, and a playful interactive entertainment experience.
• Key topics include:
  • Serious games
  • Data visualisation
  • AI and machine learning
  • Tangible games
  • Web games
  • Real-time interaction using game engine technologies
  • Commercial games studio workflows

Assessment

Our Games Development degree is entirely coursework assessed. You’ll work on games and playful experiences of varying form and focus, as well as portfolios of art assets, code, sound design, and experiments in interaction.

Facilities and Resources

• Our modern Commons building, situated at the heart of our stunning Newton Park campus
• Access to our well-stocked Library at Newton Park
• Knowledgeable staff and industry speakers
• High-spec game development labs
• VR development workspaces
• A wide collection of AAA, indie and experimental games
• Virtual Learning Environment

Fees

2025 entry

• UK full time: £9,535
• UK part time: £4,768
• International full time: £17,670

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee.

• UK: £1,905
• International: £3,534

Additional Course Costs

You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits.

Funding Opportunities

Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.

Entry Requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below. Applicants are considered on an individual basis also taking into account any relevant skills and experience that may not be reflected in your qualifications.

• A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred
• BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject
• T Levels – grade Merit preferred
• International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required
• Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher)

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Related Courses

• Creative Computing
• Creative Computing (Gaming)
• Creative Computing (Web Technologies)
• Computing

Key Facts

• Award: BA (Hons) Games Development
• School/s: Bath School of Design
• Campus or location: Newton Park and Locksbrook Campus
• Course length: Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
• UCAS codes: Institution Code: B20, Course Code: GD01 or GD02, Campus Code: A,BSU

Program Outline

Games Development - BA (Hons) - Bath Spa University

Degree Overview:

This course aims to equip students with the creative, technical, and professional skills needed to succeed in the global games industry. It emphasizes hands-on learning, experimentation, and collaboration, encouraging students to develop unique game ideas and push boundaries. The program focuses on both the artistic and technical aspects of game development, preparing students for a wide range of career opportunities.

Objectives:

• Build a diverse portfolio of games and playful experiences showcasing individual talents.
• Learn new creative and technical skills through experimental and imaginative game creation.
• Develop essential and in-demand skills: collaboration, adaptability, and professional practice.
• Reimagine the potential of games as both commercial products and meaningful art experiences.

Outline:

Year One (Level 4):

• Rules of Play: Introduces fundamental game concepts, rules, and the psychology of gaming.
Covers the history of gaming and game theory.
• 2D Game Art: Focuses on graphic design and illustration for 2D characters and level design.
• Sound for Games: Explores the role of sound in games.
• Critical Play: Analyzes and critiques existing games.
• Game Jam: Students participate in a series of mini game jams to test their developing knowledge.

Year Two (Level 5):

• Indie Game Design: Explores the principles of indie game development.
• Narrative Design and Gameplay: Focuses on writing interactive narratives and designing engaging gameplay.
• 3D Game Art: Introduces 3D modeling and animation.
• Code Lab II: Builds upon coding skills from Year One.
• Extended Realities: Explores emerging forms of game-making for extended realities (XR).
• Tangible Games: Introduces the concept of tangible games.
• Playful Media: Explores the intersection of games and other media.
• 3D Game Art II: Further develops 3D modeling and animation skills.
• Professional Placement Year: (Optional) Provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in the games industry.

Year Three (Level 6):

• Industry Ready: Prepares students for the professional world of game development.
• Games Studio Pre-Production: Focuses on the pre-production phase of game development.
• Serious Games: Explores the use of games for educational and social purposes.
• (Re)viewing Games: Analyzes and critiques games from a critical perspective.
• Games Studio: Students work in a professional games studio environment to develop a complete and original game.

Assessment:

• The Games Development degree is entirely coursework assessed.
• Students work on games and playful experiences of varying form and focus.
• They also create portfolios of art assets, code, sound design, and experiments in interaction.
• Assessments include game design documents, QA records, contextual summaries, reflective accounts, pitches, UX sessions, and collaboration on industry showcase events.

Teaching:

• Students learn by making through game jams, collaborative briefs, and studio days led by experienced tutors.
• They also have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals through guest lectures and masterclasses.
• The program emphasizes developing individual interests and working methods, helping students establish unique and diverse portfolios.

Careers:

• Graduates of the Games Development program are prepared for a range of employment opportunities within and outside of the games industry.
• Games-specific roles include:
• Games Designer
• Level Designer
• 3D Artist
• 2D Artist
• VFX Artist
• Technical Artist
• Environment Artist
• Game Developer
• Creative Director
• Gameplayer Programmer
• UX Designer
• QA Tester
• Producer
• Project Manager
• Students can also participate in industry insight visits organized by other courses in Creative Computing.
• Bath Spa University is one of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, providing students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.
• The program has strong industry links, with students having undertaken work experience projects with companies like Aardman, IBM, Complete Control, We The Curious, Opposable Group, and Bristol VR Lab.
• The program offers a Certificate in Global Citizenship for full-time undergraduate students.

2024 Entry Student Annual tuition fee UK full time £9,250 UK part time £4,625 International full time £16,905 Professional Placement Year During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students. UK: £1,850 International: £3,381