Program Overview

Creative Games Technologies (MA)

Overview

This course focuses on best practices and industry skills used in the games development process with real-time 3D creation tools. These tools can be used for a variety of projects, from games development and architecture visualisation to virtual production and education. The content of the programme has been shaped through consultation with industry partners to ensure the material is relevant and enhances the employability of graduates from this program.

Course Structure

Full-time students:

• The MA in Creative Games Technologies runs from September to September, with graduation normally in December.
• Full-time students complete a total of three modules per semester (60 credits).

Semester One:

• MDL7001 Introduction to Games Technologies
• MDL7002 3D in Games
• MDL7007 Design Thinking & Research Methods

Semester Two:

• MDL7004 Applied Games Technologies
• MDL7005 Creative Computing in Art, Design and Technologies
• MDL7006 Design Studio

The Games Technologies Research Project is taken in the summer (June to September). To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Research Project.

Part-time students:

• For part-time students, the modules in semester 1 must be taken before their linked follow-on modules in Semester 2.
• An example journey through the modules on a part-time basis would be:
  • Year 1
    • Semester 1: Intro to Games Tech (20 CATS), Research Methods & Design Thinking (20 CATS)
    • Semester 2: Applied Games Technologies (20 CATS)
  • Year 2
    • Semester 1: 3D in Games (20 CATS)
    • Semester 2: Creative Computing (20 CATS), Design Studio (20 CATS)
  • Year 3: Games Technologies Research Project (60 CATS)

Modules

Students will take a number of modules, a sample of which are listed below:

• Introduction to Games Technologies
• Applied Games Technologies
• 3D in Games
• Creative Computing in Art, Design, and Technologies
• Design Thinking & Research Methods
• Design Studio
• Games Technologies Research Project

People Teaching You

• Dr Darragh Lydon, Lecturer in Games Development
• Dr Jia-Rey Chang, Lecturer in Games Development

Contact Teaching Hours

• Large Group Teaching: 9 (hours maximum)
• Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial: 1 (hours maximum)

Teaching Times

• Afternoon and evening

Learning and Teaching

• You’ll be part of a small, informal and multidisciplinary class.
• You’ll get to know your classmates and lecturers well through the synchronous sessions and any in-person events that occur.
• You will be welcome to visit the Medialab to work on projects/use facilities through the course of your studies.

Assessment

• Awarding of the qualifications is based on continuous assessment of coursework, examinations and assessment of modules based solely on submitted work related to private, individual study.
• All the modules are 100% continuous assessment, assessments will have many forms including but not limited to:
  • Programming Assignments
  • Group Presentations
  • Learning Journals
  • Demo to Industry Experts
  • Peer Review
  • 3D Rendering/ Environment Design

What Our Academics Say

• Dr Jia-Rey Chang, Lecturer in Games Development: "Having an architectural design background, I've focussed on digital architecture and using 3D software in design for years. During my PhD study in interactive architecture, I led workshops on parametric design, algorithmic form generation, and physical computing. As an assistant professor at the University of Delaware, I taught tangible experimental interaction design and UX/UI design. I also developed a game module that teaches coding, 3D modelling, and storytelling in game development to provide students with essential skills and an understanding of the workflow in game development."
• Dr Darragh Lydon, Lecturer in Games Development: "I worked in the games industry for 5+ years prior to moving to academia, working on 21 titles released on multiple platforms. I also have experience with the application of games technologies in the natural & built environment and advanced manufacturing."

Entrance Requirements

• Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.
• Applicants with qualifications below a 2.2 Honours degree standard may be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate experience.

International Students

• Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

• Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
• *Taken within the last 2 years.

Tuition Fees

• Northern Ireland (NI): £7,300
• Republic of Ireland (ROI): £7,300
• England, Scotland or Wales (GB): £9,250
• EU Other: £21,500
• International: £21,500

Additional Course Costs

• All Students: Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

How Do I Fund My Study?

• The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
• A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available).

International Scholarships

• Information on scholarships for international students, is available at [insert link]

Career Prospects

• This MA programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career using games technologies.
• Graduates will be eligible for roles in a variety of industries, including games development, film/TV, immersive experiences/Metaverse, advanced manufacturing, and architecture & engineering.
• Graduates would also have the opportunity to continue their studies and progress into research roles in this area.

Employment Links

• EMPLOYERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Games Companies, Immersive and Multimedia Studios, Film/TV studios, Manufacturing Companies, Architecture/Civil Engineering Firms.