Program Overview

Games Design and Development BSc Honours

Course Overview

The Games Design and Development BSc Honours course at Middlesex University is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive as game designers in a dynamic industry. Through hands-on experience, students will develop a portfolio that will set them up for a successful career in a range of creative industries.

Why Choose Games Design and Development BSc at Middlesex?

• World-class facilities: Access workstations equipped with the latest software including Unity, Processing, OpenFrameworks, Maya, Z-Brush, and many more.
• 5th in London for overall student positivity (National Student Survey 2023)
• Reputation for producing successful graduates: Our graduates have gone into roles at companies such as CD Projekt Red, Trick27, Rockstar, PlayStation, and more.

Part-time Study

Study at your own pace alongside work and other commitments and get the skills and knowledge you need to progress in your career.

About Your Course

In year one, you will play and analyze games critically in class using both digital and table-top games. You will use the critical language you develop to communicate your own designs through writing, diagramming, prototyping, and playtesting. In years two and three, you will develop your prototyping and design communication skills through a variety of industry-facing briefs and projects, individually and in small groups, including collaborating with students on other degrees.

Course Structure

• Year 1:
  • Games Design Fundamentals (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Mechanics of Player Experience and Playtesting (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Professional Studio Practice 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Prototyping and Scripting (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Year 2:
  • Advanced Prototyping and Programming (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Game Cultures and Design Beyond Entertainment (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Professional Studio Practice 2: Industry Projects (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Technology, Gameplay, and Mechanics (30 credits) – Compulsory
• Year 3:
  • Experimental Gameplay Development (30 credits) – Compulsory
  • Games Design Processes, Research, and Playtesting (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Professional Studio Practice 3: Portfolio and Beyond (30 credits) - Compulsory
  • Showcase Project (30 credits) - Compulsory

Teaching and Learning

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. You will learn by attending project-based workshops and learning groups supported with short lectures. Working together, you’ll develop critical language for communicating ideas about gameplay, game experiences, and game-based storytelling.

Facilities and Support

• Course facilities: Our media and VFX studio is home to a wide range of sophisticated technology, enabling the creation of rich visual effects.
• Student support: We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying, including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Careers

This degree equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive as a game designer in a dynamic industry. Through hands-on experience, you will develop a portfolio that will set you up for a successful career in a range of creative industries.

Entry Requirements

• Qualifications: 112 UCAS points, including GCSE Grade C/4 in mathematics
• Portfolio: Entry onto this course requires a portfolio review
• Transfer courses: If you have a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND or have completed terms at another university, you may be able to join us in year two or three.

Fees

• UK students: £9,535* (full-time), £79 per taught credit (part-time)
• International students: TBC (full-time), TBC (part-time)
• Additional costs: The following course-related costs are not included in the fees, and you will need to budget for these:
  • Additional books that you wish to purchase
  • Memory media
  • Stationery
  • Travel to some (non-course essential) external events

Scholarships and Bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you, including our MDX Excellence Scholarship, Regional or International Merit Awards, and our MDX Student Starter Kit.