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