Program Overview

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Games Design BA Honours

Overview

The Games Design BA provides the creative and technical skills needed to design the games of the future. Over the course, you’ll be equipped to craft engaging player experiences for various creative industries and emerging technologies.

Course Structure

The Games Design BA and Games Art BA begin with a shared first year, before branching into specialised pathways. These pathways, along with a variety of optional modules, provide you with the opportunity to customise your degree and expertise according to your interests and career objectives.

Core Modules

• 2D Game Art & Design
• 3D Asset Creation
• Creative Industry Skills
• Environment Art and Design
• Game Engines and Mechanics

Option Modules

• 2D Computer Animation
• Drawing Explorations
• Typographic Explorations
• Elective

Year 1

• Core modules:
  • 2D Game Art & Design
  • 3D Asset Creation
  • Creative Industry Skills
  • Environment Art and Design
  • Game Engines and Mechanics
• Option modules:
  • 2D Computer Animation
  • Drawing Explorations
  • Typographic Explorations
  • Elective

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Collaborative Game Development
  • Interactive Texts and Narratives
  • Level and Experience Design
  • System and Mechanic Design
• Option modules:
  • Branding and Identity
  • Concepting for Games
  • Extended Reality for Creative
  • Stop-Motion Animation
  • UX/UI Design
  • VFX for Film and Games
  • Visual Storytelling
  • Web Design
  • Elective

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • Game Production and Enterprise
  • Major Project (Games Design)
  • Professional Practice
• Option modules:
  • Critical Enquiry for Creatives
  • Designing Narrative Experiences
  • Digital Arts Experimentation
  • Entrepreneurship for Creatives
  • Elective

Placement Year

You’ll also have the opportunity to take an additional year between Levels 5 and 6 (second and third year) to spend on professional experience or international experience. The international experience (study abroad) year offers one or two semesters studying at one of our overseas partner Universities. This is both an exciting experience and also one that helps you to develop the global outlook by employers. The professional experience (placement) year is planned in partnership with the Westminster Work Based Learning team.

Programme Recognition

The course has membership of The Independent Game Developers Association Limited (“TIGA”) which gives students on this course the opportunity to enter relevant categories of the TIGA Games Industry Awards and TIGA UK Games Education Awards categories, as well as the opportunity to access membership only event(s).

Entry Requirements

UK

• A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
• BTEC Diploma – DD
• Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass– IB Pass

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

International

• International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
• We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
• We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
• If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.

International

• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Teaching and Assessment

How You'll Be Taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How You'll Be Assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.