Game Design and Development BSc (Hons)

Overview

Part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus group, our four-year Game Design and Development degree programme has been carefully designed to meet the demands of the contemporary gaming industry.

With a particular emphasis on the blend between the technical and creative aspects of games design, you’ll be taught the core theories that underpin the discipline and use these to guide your practical work and, in turn, gain the vocational experience needed to embark on a career in this fast-growing industry.

Through the course you’ll gain a robust understanding of areas such as:

• game play
• technical computer animation
• game programming
• script programming

You’ll benefit from our close links to the Yorkshire games industry associations, from talks and workshops delivered by invited industry experts, and have the opportunity to collaborate with other animators and computer scientists at Bradford and Qingdao, China. The high level of industry knowledge and insight gained here will provide you with the knowledge base you need to emerge as a confident and competent games professional.

You’ll have regular access to state-of-the-art facilities like the six camera Motion Capture Suite and technical equipment which you can use to put theory into practice and enhance your skillset. You can borrow equipment for your own personal projects too.

In your final year you will undertake a bespoke studio project, where you can collaborate with other disciplines and put theory into practice, whilst showcasing the skills you’ve developed throughout the course.

Entry Requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

• A levels: BBC - there are no subject specific requirements.
• T levels: Merit - there are no specific subject requirements.
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM - there are no subject specific requirements.
• Applicants on Access Programmes: Meet UCAS tariff of 112. There are no specific subject requirements.
• International Baccalaureate Requirements: 112 UCAS tariff points to include at least 80 points from 2 HL subjects. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.
• Plus minimum of GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).
• English language requirements: Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

Foundation Year Entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our Foundation Year in Engineering and Digital Technologies has a route to Game Design and Development BSc (Hons)

• Foundation Year entry requirements: 64 UCAS points or equivalent plus an English Language qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 4 and a Maths qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 3.

Transferring from Another University

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry.

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September.

Your Learning Journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Core:
  • Conventions of Games
  • 3D Computer Modelling
  • Design for Production
  • 3D Computer Animation
  • Creative Studio
  • Advanced Game Development

Second Year

• Core:
  • Game Appreciation
  • Specialism
  • Advanced Creative Studio
  • Professional Pathways

Third Year

Study abroad or placement year.

Final Year

• Core:
  • Individual Project
  • Group Project
  • Advanced Specialism

Professional Placement

A placement year allows you to apply your academic learning within a wide range of industries, including private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. You will gain hands-on experience, develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, and build a professional network that will benefit your future career.

We will support you throughout the process, offering:

• Access to a wide range of placement opportunities with top employers.
• Assistance with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation.
• Guidance on making the most of your placement experience.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, discussed and debated in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in studio, laboratory, and workshop sessions, taking advantage of the University’s, and its partners’, extensive software and hardware provision.

Professional, personal, and presentational skills are developed through discussion and small-scale project work which involves problem solving and design exercises. These are often tackled through collaborative learning in small groups supported by members of academic staff. Larger–scale project work is used to bring various aspects of your programme together. A particular strength of this programme is the contribution made to the teaching programme by successful practising animation professionals.

Each 20-credit module on the programme requires students to commit 200 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars, tutorials and workshops – and others will involve students in carrying out private study. The balance between these forms of study changes as students pass through the three years of the programme.

Basic principles and concepts are addressed in the first year (Stage One) of the studies. In the second year (Stage Two) a more analytical approach is taken, and in the final year (Stage Three) students will have the opportunity to synthesise and critically review the knowledge, understanding, and skills they have gained throughout the programme. They will also have the opportunity to shape elements of their own learning experience, by selecting optional and elective modules, and defining their own project briefs.

Official Programme Specification

For further details about the course:

View the official programme specification

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact our team. You can also read our Website Accessibility Statement.

Our Facilities

Access state-of-the-art motion capture equipment - using Vicon motion capture cameras, you can record the movement information of human actors which can be fed into specialist software, manipulated, and transferred to models.

Fees, Finance and Scholarships

Tuition Fee

• UK: £9,535 (sandwich year: £954)
• International: £24,456 (sandwich year: £2,446)

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

A scholarship for this course is available to international students.

Career Prospects

Career Opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Study Abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Support for Your Studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

86% say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for courses in Computer games and animation over two years at The University of Bradford

71% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for courses in Computer games and animation over two years at The University of Bradford

90% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Computer games and animation over two years at The University of Bradford

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab

Got a Question?

Make an enquiry about this course, and sign up for news updates about studying at Bradford.

Fill in an enquiry formRegister for updates

Terms and Conditions of Study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency Statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.

How to Apply

Applications for courses starting in September 2025 are not yet open.

You can begin to apply for this course with UCAS from 14 May 2024.

• Learn about how to apply, UCAS and the application process
• See key dates on the UCAS website

University of Bradford

---

Overview:

The University of Bradford is a public research university located in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It is known for its strong focus on research and its commitment to social mobility. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

---

Services Offered:

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university provides a vibrant student life experience with a range of clubs, societies, and events. Students can expect a welcoming and supportive campus environment.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong research focus:

The university is recognized for its high-quality research, with 77% of its research impact rated internationally excellent or world-leading.

Social mobility:

The University of Bradford is ranked first in England for its impact on social mobility.

Value for money:

The university's Distance Learning MBA is ranked the best value for money by the Financial Times.

Excellent academic programs:

The university excels in various fields, including Physiotherapy, Forensic Science, and Children's Nursing.

---

Academic Programs:

The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Business:

The University of Bradford's Business School is recognized for its support of firms and students.

Nursing:

The university provides financial help for nursing students.

Computer Science:

The university has invested £600k in new computer science labs.

Other:

The university also offers programs in various other fields, including engineering, law, and the arts.

---

Other:

The university is a member of Yorkshire Universities and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. It has also received the Athena Swan Bronze Award and the Queen's Anniversary Prizes.