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BA (Hons) - Games Design (with integrated foundation year)

Have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria? No problem.

Whether it's Nintendo's Super Mario Bros, Ion Storm's Deus Ex, or Rockstar's GTA V, all successful games throughout each generation are built on good game and level design, story-telling, 2D and 3D modelling and texturing.

This is the games design course for you, made to enable you to get ready for a career in the multi-billion pound games industry. Spark your imagination and let that creativity run riot at our dedicated arts campus.

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Games Design (with integrated foundation year) cover image

Course Overview

Turn your ideas into exciting new games. Seventy-five percent of your course is practical – designing, developing and creating new game experiences to create a portfolio for future employers.

This games design degree is all about the art and design work related to video games, creating storyboard concepts and turning them into playable prototypes. You’ll gain the skills to compete in this growing industry.

Industry-standard 3D and games engine software will help you develop essential skills including drawing, modelling, texturing and using the games engine. Our dedicated arts campus will allow you to mix with other creatives, allowing you to work on joint projects and develop your own network of creative practitioners.

On this course you will...

Have access to dedicated Games Design labs with industry-standard software, providing a friendly, collegiate, and supportive environment.
You learn games specific topics like drawing & concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modelling, texturing, level design, and game theory.
Have the opportunity to take a range of trips outside of the lab to gain inspiration and improve creative thinking. In previous years they have included games expo – EGX and Develop: Brighton.
Take part in our annual Game Jam that culminates in an award ceremony featuring Industry experts as judges and delivering a keynote lecture.
Develop a wide range of transferable digital skills allowing you to take up a number of internships during your studies.

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Carlisle - Brampton Road All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Brampton Road
Institute Institute of Education, Arts and Society
UCAS CodeW283
Delivery StyleBlended Learning
Course DurationFull-time: 4 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Brampton Road
All

Minimum entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,535

UK | year

£14,900

International | year

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

Our foundation year will help you reach the right level for taking the rest of the degree, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon.

On this programme, you will learn to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences. However, this is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. You will learn all about art and design, developing storyboards and concepts which you will later turn into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D).

Year one

Media in Context
Professional Practice
Media Narratives
Published Media Products
Introduction to Drawing for Gaming
Creative Technologies for Game Design

Year two

Cultural Contexts
Intro to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be discussed, examined, and analysed.
Collaborative Practice
Explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
Develop drawing as a fundamental skill in your practice and acquire the knowledge to understand the purpose of concept art as a tool visualising concepts for games.
3D Modelling
Enhance your knowledge of the professional three-dimensional visualisation for video games and digital media productions.
Gaming For Game Designers
Introduction to the basic ideas and models in Game Theory.

Year three

Understanding the Creative Economy
Contextualise the cultural and economic changes giving rise to the emergence of the creative economy as a leading sector in the UK and global economy.
Working in the Creative Economy
Introduce to the professional practices associated with the creative industries by means of a series of guest lectures, presentations, tutorials and workshops.
Concept To Prototype
Introduction to real-world scenarios in relation to working, in small groups, in the business world, and on client briefs.
Concept Art & Visualisation 2
Explore and develop visualisation techniques appropriate to games design.
Texturing
Enhance your knowledge of the professional texturing techniques used in the Games industry.
Digital Sculpting (Optional)
Develop skills in the more advanced techniques and concepts used within the games industry, with a specific focus on digital sculpting within the production processes.
Games Creation - Design to Distribution (Optional)
Explore and develop an understanding and apply strategies for taking a game to market.
Motion Capture and Animation for Games (Optional)
Develop and produce a computer-based animation in groups or individually.
Digital Painting Techniques (Optional)
Explore and develop digital painting techniques with emphasis to games design.

Year four

Theory and Research Methods in the Arts
Preparation for successfully undertaking your dissertation project.
Dissertation
Group Game Project
Develop teamwork and communication skills while you work in small groups on a specified brief to produce a working game.
Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
Develop the skills necessary to identify, generate and successfully access opportunities in the workplace and/or in continuing education.
Major Project
Develop the skills necessary to enable you to produce work for your final project.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

During your foundation year, you will work with students across the Institute of Arts to develop a foundation of skills that will prepare you for your future degree studies. Experiment with different disciplines, artistic styles, and prepare for university life.

As you move onto your degree proper, you will learn through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, reviews, pitching, and one to one tutorials. You will undertake self-directed research throughout each year that reinforces your creative practice. Students will be encouraged to collaborate with classmates through group work, online forums, and debates to develop essential skills and critical thinking.

Because the Games Design course focuses on practical work and real-world exploration, learning will take place on campus, with occasional opportunities for field trips. You are also encouraged to engage with and provide content for our departmental social media channels, a place for creative students to share and celebrate their work with other creatives.

How you will be assessed

Summative and formative assessments will take place throughout each academic year. You will be continually involved in the assessment of your own work and that of your peers, alongside receiving critical feedback from tutors.

A wide range of authentic assessment types will be used to help you develop your academic and work-related skills.

Specific examples of this:

Module Work Book, bespoke ebooks, containing information, formative tasks, self grading exercises, embedded video clips, etc. to assist in specific modules ILO’s but also to enhance a culture of independent learning.
Presentations/Pitching, where you are able to show work to Tutors and Peers in advance of Assignment Submission
Seminars & Project Surgeries, a series of developmental seminars run where you review and comment on each others work, guided by tutors All of these activities promote learning partnerships between you, your peers and the staff.

Overview

48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: A

T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted however we do recommend the T Level Digital Production, Design and Development for entry to this course.

Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass.

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP

Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points.

Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points.

Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

£9,535 - UK
£14,900 - International

2024-2025:

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

Fees for integrated foundation year are as stated Then, standard undergraduate tuition fees for years 2-4.

For information about funding, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Stay Focused. Go Far.

An in-game shot of a butcher about to chop a carrot.

Students and staff attending the annual Game Jam.

Controls for the spotlight carousel

Location
Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus
Located just outside the city, right on top of Hadrian's Wall, the Brampton Road campus is full of history, buzzing with excitement, creativity, and a sense of endless possibility. The home of creators, entertainers, rule breakers, and change-markers.
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BA (Hons) - Games Design (with integrated foundation year)