Program Overview

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Games Design and Development - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The BSc Games Design and Development is a studio-based programme that provides students with specialist knowledge and experience in designing, developing, and programming gameplay experiences using industry-standard tools, software languages, and practices associated with making games.

Award

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School

School of Arts and Humanities

Campus

Derry~Londonderry campus

UCAS code

WW71

Start date

September 2025

Career Opportunities

With this degree, you could become:

• Game Designer
• Gameplay Engineer
• Game Producer
• Games Developer
• VR Developer
• Technical Artist

Course Structure

The course is available in Full-time or part-time modes.

Year one

• Fundamentals of Game Programming
• Game Design Theory and Practice
• Game Graphics
• 2D Game Creation
• Professional Game Development

Year two

• Advanced Game Programming
• Game Character Control and Behaviour
• Game Mechanics and Gameplay Design
• Game Audio & Visual Effects
• 3D Game Creation

Year three

• Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP/DPP(I))
• International Academic Studies

Year four

• Project: Game Design
• Games Research and Innovation
• Game Development - Business and Entrepreneurship
• Project: Game Development

Standard Entry Conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course, you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

Grades BCC

Applied General Qualifications

Award profile of DMM

Irish Leaving Certificate

104 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades BCCCC

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades CDD

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile Min 24 points (12 at HL)

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 60% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first-degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language.

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Fees and Funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,535.00

International Fees

£17,010.00

Additional Mandatory Costs

Students purchase materials for their own coursework.

Field trips may incur additional costs.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Scholarships, Awards and Prizes

• International Undergraduate Scholarship
• Other awards and prizes

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships : Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.