Program Overview

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Games Design and Development - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Where creative vision meets technical expertise: Turning game enthusiasts into industry professionals.

Summary

From global sensations like Fortnite and Elden Ring to indie breakthroughs such as Hollow Knight and Stardew Valley, across various platforms including console, PC, Mobile, and VR, game entertainment represents the world's largest media sector. Game Designers and Developers are crucial contributors to the interactive entertainment industry's continued global expansion and innovation.

Our BSc in Game Design and Development equips graduates with the comprehensive toolkit needed to launch successful careers in this dynamic field. The programme delivers specialist knowledge and hands-on experience in conceptualising, developing and implementing engaging gameplay experiences using industry-standard tools, programming languages and contemporary development methodologies.

Students benefit from a collaborative environment that mirrors professional studio practices while developing technical proficiency and strategic insights into IP development, marketing strategies, and production pipelines. This balanced approach prepares graduates for roles in both established studios and entrepreneurial pathways in independent game development, positioning them at the forefront of this rapidly evolving creative industry.

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 2026

With this degree you could become:

• Game Designer
• Games Developer
• VR Developer
• Technical Artist
• Games Programmer
• Level Designer
• QA Tester

We are the UK and Ireland University of the Year

Times Higher Education Awards 2024

Overview

Our BSc in Games Design and Development delivers specialist knowledge and practical experience in designing, developing, and programming interactive experiences using industry-standard tools, languages, and methodologies. Based at our Northwest campus at Magee, this programme uniquely combines game design theory with highly sought-after development skills.

Students benefit from our highly skilled and experienced teaching team, who bring current industry insights directly into the classroom. The curriculum places significant emphasis on building a professional product-based game portfolio—an essential asset for securing industry positions. Throughout your studies, you'll develop both technical proficiency and essential soft transferable skills valued across the creative technology sector.

The teaching staff keeps the course current with up-to-date game design theory, while focusing on commercial tools expertise that employers demand. The Northwest region's thriving gaming sector provides an ideal backdrop for your studies, offering a supportive environment in which to explore your potential through collaborative opportunities.

Students will critically and technically study the craft of game design and development, positioning their work within contemporary commercial and cultural contexts. The programme also provides technical insights into studio practices, IP development, and marketing strategies—invaluable knowledge for those pursuing careers in established studios or independent game development.

Throughout this degree, students will gain comprehensive knowledge of the full game development pipeline. From initial concept to final release, you'll master each essential stage, including game design documentation, 2D and 3D graphics creation, audio implementation, gameplay programming, level design, user interface development, quality assurance, and testing methodologies. This holistic approach ensures graduates possess both specialised expertise in their preferred areas and a broad understanding of how each element integrates within the complete development process—precisely the versatile skill set that today's studios and publishers actively seek when recruiting new talent.

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
• Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI

Attendance

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

This is a studio-based programme. Seminars, lectures, and workshops are all timetabled. At other times you will be able to work in dedicated studios, experience the collaboration, and dialogue that are essential in ideation and in an effective games design and development pipelines.

The programme is based on a modular structure. You are encouraged to take an optional placement year between years two and three. Over the duration of the course, you will develop your knowledge of the creative, technical, theoretical, and historical contexts which have led the evolution of a dynamic and innovative games sector.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

An appropriate blend of established and effective teaching delivery methods will be employed to enhance your learning experience and to achieve the learning outcomes of the course. Typically, large group teaching will include lectures, studio practice, demonstrations and small group teaching in the form of seminars, teamwork /projects, critiques (feedback).

The Aims and Learning Outcomes of the BSc Hons Games Design and Development course will be achieved through a variety of teaching and learning methods, including:

• Tutorials – 1-1 and team will help to develop communication skills and verbally process problems and tasks in hand. These are essential to support student learning and pastoral care.
• Lectures – will impart essential information in traditional format. Case studies and the introduction of learning exercises within the lecture format will consolidate learning and introduce an opportunity for discussion and engagement. Guest lecturers from industry and academia will be invited throughout the programme to develop student engagement and understanding of the subject area.
• Workshop and Studio Practice – will encourage the importance of problem solving, testing and refining, whilst also have the opportunity to learn new skills, ideas and approaches from experts in order to become experts within games design and development.
• Practicals and Demonstrations – will introduce a process, technique, or technologies to students by either a member of academic staff or a technician. These are a method employed to make you aware of the characteristics of transferable skills and technologies.
• Critiques – will encourage effective communication, reflection, sharing of opinions, evaluation of information, skills and ideas and provide opportunities for peer learning.
• Seminars – will encourage debate, reflexive thinking, and effective communication skills. They can facilitate deep learning: analysis, synthesis, evaluation of complex issues and construction of argument.
• Teamwork projects – Collaborative learning provides the platform on which independent learning is nurtured. Giving you the opportunity to gain confidence, become aware of your strengths, and develop your own ideas. Tutorials, workshops and seminars will provide academic staff and students opportunities to discuss team progress, dynamics and evaluate member activity. These will be particularly useful in Level 4 and Level 5 as they mirror current industrial studio practice, preventing isolation and assisting retention.
• Blended learning – will offer the opportunity to consolidate and support face-to-face learning, communicate, and share information with the wider cohort developing essential digital skills. The course team will supplement and enhance module content including providing additional delivery of practical workshops, creating links to sources of further information, encourage online discussion groups the development of web-based portfolios.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers may supplement teaching. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Modules

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

Applicants may satisfy the requirement for one of the A Level grades (or equivalent) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

Award profile of DMM

We will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications.

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)

Overall profile of 12 credits at distinction, 30 credits at merit and 3 credits at pass (60 credit Access course) (GB 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.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

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.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Game Designer
• Games Developer
• VR Developer
• Technical Artist
• Games Programmer
• Level Designer
• QA Tester

Career options

The interactive entertainment industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in global media, with the UK established among the world's leading game development regions. The British games ecosystem encompasses thousands of professionals across studios nationwide, from major publishers to innovative independents. The UK hosts renowned developers including Rockstar Games, Hello Games, and Media Molecule—creators of internationally acclaimed titles that continue to define gaming worldwide.

Northern Ireland's game development landscape has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with an expanding community of both established and emerging studios contributing to the region's digital economy through innovative titles and technologies.

Our Games Design and Development programme prepares graduates for diverse careers including Games Designer, Level Designer, Developer, Programmer, QA Engineer, XR Developer, Systems Designer, UI/UX Designer, and 3D Artist. These skills extend beyond gaming into film production, architectural visualisation, simulation training, and interactive digital marketing.

Students will also acquire entrepreneurial knowledge and business development skills essential for founding and operating independent game studios, with guidance on accessing industry funding partners and investment opportunities. This comprehensive preparation ensures graduates can navigate both established studio environments and entrepreneurial ventures with confidence.

Work placement / study abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to undertake an optional work placement and/or take advantage of the excellent study abroad programme leading to the award of a Diploma in Professional Practice or Diploma in International Academic Studies. The DPP is generally European-based, and studio orientated. The DIAS allows for further study at an institution in either Europe or in the USA, under the Erasmus scheme, the Study USA scheme, or the Year abroad scheme. You will obtain the appropriate award in addition to your degree's classification on successful completion of your Final Year. The awards available are:

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
• Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

• International Undergraduate Scholarship

Open to all new international (non-EU) entrants on the first year of a full-time undergraduate course delivered on one of our Northern Ireland campuses, commencing September 2018.

Value

£2,000 scholarship applied as discount to your annual tuition fee.

• Other awards and prizes:

Information provided is for guidance only as scholarship details are subject to change - please refer to the source website for up-to-date and accurate information.

• Tranzfuser

Tranzfuser is the popular talent development programme brought to you by UK Games Talent and Finance CIC, working with a host of regional contributors and funded by UK Government. Students on the course will have an opportunity to access and apply for this competition with many teams forming successful game studios as a result.

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.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date 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.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.