Games Design and Development BA (Hons)

Program Overview

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Games Design and Development BA (Hons)

Course Overview

This course will prepare you for a range of career options across this vibrant industry.

Year of Entry

2025

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study Mode

Full-time, Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich

Course Code

W285

Start Date

September 2025

How to Apply

Book an Open Day, Download a prospectus, Register for updates

Course Overview

You will explore the multi-faceted world of games design and development, from storyboarding, concept development and prototyping to creative development, quality assurance and testing, enabling you to translate your ideas into playable games.

Industry-led Practice

• Industry-led practice across all aspects of games design and development.
• Collaborative project development to understand the entire games pipeline.
• Studio-based approach to teaching and learning that emulates industry best practice.

Why Study This Course?

• This course focuses on games design and development, aiming to equip you with the skills and knowledge to conceptualise, build and test your own playable games.
• The concept-to-playable prototype approach aims to give you industry applicable skills.
• Integration of logical and visual design elements means you can test graphical content in gaming environments and develop original mechanics.
• Real-world practices include pitching, prototyping, workable games design documents and testing.
• Industry links embedded in the course, from master classes and guest lectures to field trips.

What You'll Study

Year One

• Skills Lab – 20 credits
• Hack Lab and Creative Play – 20 credits
• Narrative and Storytelling – 20 credits
• People, Pipelines, and Productions – 20 credits
• Prototyping, Concept Development, and Design – 20 credits
• From 2D to 3D: Developing Visual Skills – 20 credits

Year Two

• Concept Development in Games Design – 20 credits
• Prototype Development – 20 credits
• Understanding Player Experience – 20 credits
• Designing Game Worlds – 20 credits
• Experimental Games Project – 20 credits
• Professional Practice in the Games Industry – 20 credits

Placement Year

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits
• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

Final Year

• Research Investigation – 15 credits
• Advanced Game Design and Development – 5 credits
• Indie Game Project (Course-Based Assessment) – 20 credits
• Working in Collaboration – 20 credits
• Final Major Project – 60 credits

How You'll Learn

• The teaching and learning on the Games Design and Development BA (Hons) course is predicated upon the general core principle of transforming you into innovative, creative, industry-ready, reflexive games designers over the course of study.
• The course will be delivered using a variety of methods including face-to-face workshops and lectures, and some online digital content such as guest speakers from industry.
• Teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, technical workshops, studio projects, and industry talks.

Teaching Contact Hours

• As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year.
• A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study.
• Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection.

Assessment

• This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
• Assessment methods may include group work, presentations, reports, projects, coursework, individual assignments, and course-based assessment.

Entry Requirements

• Typical entry requirements: 112 UCAS points, BBC A level, DMM BTEC, 29 points IB Diploma, Access to HE Diploma.
• Portfolio: You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email.
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area).

Fees and Funding

• Student: Full-time, Part-time
• UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £9,535 per year
• EU: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary, £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary
• International: £19,850 per year
• Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services.

Facilities

• Coventry University is home to superb facilities, including our purpose-built Delia Derbyshire building.
• You will have access to cutting edge facilities, including post-production, games and animation studios, immersive studios with performance capture facilities, electronic and digital hack labs and much more.

Careers and Opportunities

• On successful completion of this course, you may take on roles ranging from community manager, games producer, or games publisher, to gameplay designer, level designer, UX designer, Quality Assurance (QA) tester or games writer.
• You should have developed an understanding of the key priorities for the games industry, such as the recent change in working patterns, equality, diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition and retention, and an understanding of cultural and commercial priorities.

Further Study

• Upon successful completion, graduates may progress into master's study with courses such as Games Studio Development MA, Virtual and Augmented Reality MA.
• You can explore all of your options using our postgraduate course search tool.
• You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.