Course summary
Want to know how to create the next generation of video games? Become a games designer with the creative technical skills to enter a fast-growing gaming industry. Overview Video games play a major role in modern society. Billions of people, all over the world, play video games on a regular basis. And it’s not just for entertainment. Video games are applied within many other sectors, including education and sport. The Games Design degree course will develop both your creative skills, alongside your understanding of the game design process. Using your theoretical knowledge of modern games design, you will learn how to create original and engaging 2D and 3D game characters, compelling narratives and believable worlds, in order to capture the imagination of the user. There’s an emphasis on developing your practical skills with plenty of opportunity to bring your game ideas to life and develop your own game prototypes. Alongside this, you will prepare for your future career by understanding the role of a Game Designer in the context of a Games Studio environment. You will build the essential skills needed to operate as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with others. Further to this, you will also: Develop the ability to describe and interrogate the games design and development process Expand your knowledge of research methods and understand the techniques used to gather informative data Understand human and creature anatomy, personality, physiological aspects and expressions, that bring animated characters to life Reflect on your own gaming history to consider game feel, player motivations and the psychology of gamers. Explore the relationship between innovation and technology and experiment with immersive platforms such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Learn how to design a compelling narrative and believable worlds for deeper player engagement. Create a fully animated playable or non-playable character within a game engine. Career Prospects The gaming market is continuing to grow at a fast pace and Game Designers are in high demand. This degree aims to prepare you for a successful career in game design, whether you chose to work for one of the major Games’ Studios, smaller independent companies or as a freelancer. You will have developed a broad range of skills that will enable you specialise in one of the many sub-sections of the profession, such as character, narrative, gameplay, level or UX/UI design.
Modules
Level 4 Modules 2D Game Design and Development An introduction to the fundamentals of game interface design, using both visual and/or non-visual programming technologies. You will develop the knowledge and skills to program 2D games and gain an understanding of their role in the wider games creation process. Games Fundamentals An introduction to the core practices, principles and vocabularies of games design and development. You will develop the ability to describe and interrogate the games design and development process, expanding your knowledge of research methods and learning how storytelling is developed within games. Character Design for Games Learn how to create original and engaging game characters. Delve into the world of character design from initial concepts to digital sculpting, texturing and lighting. Get to grips with human and creature anatomy, personality, physiological aspects and expressions, that bring animated characters to life. The Design of Play Understand the theory and practice of modern games design and create simple games using physical and digital tools. Explore the history and culture of games and games development. Reflect on your own gaming history to consider game feel, player motivations and the psychology of gamers. Level 5 subject-Specific modules: Innovation and Technology Game technology underpins a variety of systems across a number of industries. Here, you’ll explore the relationship between innovation and technology and experiment with immersive platforms such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). You will consider the role of sound and music within games design and develop your own prototype game as part of a group. Games Studio Develop fundamental business skills in order to develop your understanding of the practises and problem-solving approaches used by game studios. You will work in a group to create your own game idea, from pitch to playable prototype. Gamification Understand the theory of Gamification and how to apply gamification techniques to a specific business issue (e.g. HR, Marketing, Administration). You will explore games design elements, mechanics and principles in a non-games context and work in a group to produce physical or digital games. Narrative and World Building An introduction to world building and storytelling techniques for deep player engagement. Learn how to design a compelling narrative and believable worlds, taking inspiration from cinema, serial television and comics. Level 6 subject-Specific modules: Professional Portfolio and Research Learn the principles that enable you to develop a logical research methodology and understand the techniques used to gather informative data. You will also reflect on your professional development, creating a portfolio to prepare you for a career in the gaming industry. Advanced 3D Modelling and Animation Tools Develop advanced skills in 3D development, physics simulation and scripting techniques, to provide proficient production pipelines. Learn how to design, model and texture 3D game assets and characters, using the appropriate workflow, tools and techniques. Animate Player and Creature Production Research, evaluate and develop a digital 2D and 3D character design workflow and create a fully animated playable or non-playable character within a game engine. This could represent a traditional humanoid character or something that resembles other creatures/inanimate objects with additional qualities. Project You’ll undertake a large-scale Games Design project based on an actual brief. You’ll draw on your knowledge and skills to deliver a comprehensive, quality gaming solution.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
You can no longer submit a new application for courses starting in 2023.
If you already have a 2023 application and are in Clearing, you can add this course as a Clearing choice – contact the university or college first to check they have places.
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 15 credits P: 15 credits
English language requirements
In addition to meeting the academic criteria, if your first language isn't English, you may be asked for a recognised English language qualification. This is especially important if you are not a national of a majority English speaking country or you haven't completed a degree in English. If you are an international student, in order to obtain a student visa, you will be required to demonstrate that you have the correct level of English language competency to study in the UK.
UA92 English Language Requirements
Student Outcomes
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £14466 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £14466 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Provider information
University Academy 92 (UA92)
UA92 Campus
Talbot Road
Trafford
Manchester
M16 0PA