Games Design

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 13 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:3175 Duration:36 months

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Description

This intensive, game-design only course is aimed at students who want to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors which shape the games industry and the techniques and principles used in the design of games. You will have the opportunity to design and prototype your own games, as well as analyse and think more deeply about how games work as a medium. You’ll meet key figures from the UK games industry and even pitch your own ideas in front of them. By the end of the course you’ll have a range of skills sought after by the games industry for roles including game design, game production and game analysis, as well as transferable skills relevant to broader fields.

Aims

This single honours games design programme is geared to equip graduates with a range of skills that prepare them for employment within the digital games industry. Game design is at the core of what we teach on this programme, but you will also engage with digital asset creation, web design and prototyping. This degree is designed to take those with an interest in games and creative thinking and provide them the skills to communicate their ideas effectively as game designs. No 3D modelling, programming or computer science background is necessary, just a passion for games and desire to study or become involved in creating them. You will learn to prototype, write games design documents, pitch games and develop skills in image manipulation, animation and 3D modelling relevant to design roles during the degree.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee
  • GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
  • GBP 13000 Year (Non-EEA)
UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £6,750 part-time ; £1,000 placement year Start date September 2015 3-year full-time; 4.5-6-year part-time Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible Part-time variant Flexible

Course Content

In each year of your degree, you will study theory modules aimed at developing your analytical understanding of the cultural and social significance of games and their historical contexts. Design modules will aid your ability to produce creative, realisable strategies in relation to set briefs. Application modules will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the communication skills currently used in the games industry, including presentation and prototyping skills.
At each level you’ll take modules in:

Theory, which develops your understanding of methods and approaches used in the analysis of games, their cultural and social significance, and historical contexts.

Design, which will aid your development of creative strategies for generating game design ideas and game design projects. You undertake design projects, developing a practical understanding of creative game design.

Application (industry relevant skills and contexts), which will provide you with a comprehensive knowledge of the skills used currently in the games industry.

Asset and Story Creation, which builds skills with image creation and manipulation programs, basic 3D modelling with Maya and a focus on development of both your game’s looks and narrative.

Additional modules in Animation, Game Rule Design and Analysis and Creative Computing will sharpen key skills relevant to work in the games industry and further deepen your design projects, allowing for them to be executed to the fullest.

Typical Modules

Level 1

  • Theory 1: ‘Reading’ Games – methods for, and practice of, analysing the formal components of games

  • Design 1: Introduction to Game Design – practical exercises, working to set briefs

  • Application 1: Methods for, and practice of, communicating design concepts and ideas

  • Creative Computing – gaining confidence with software commonly used by the creative industries as well as web design

  • Asset and Story Creation 1 – getting to grips with image manipulation and 3d modelling tools.

  • Academic Practice

Level 2

  • Theory 2: Approaches to analysing games and players

  • Design 2: Large game design projects, working to a brief, World design and the building of games within those worlds

  • Application 2: Prototyping game designs and understanding the games industry

  • Asset and Story Creation 2 – Cementing Design 2’s world and game designs with 3D models, storyboarding and optional animation

  • Game Mechanics – Looking in-depth at game mechanics and how they function as the core of the gaming experience

  • An elective module from a wide choice of subjects offered

Level 3

  • Theory 3: Socio-Cultural Contexts – analysing the social and cultural implications of games

  • Asset and Story Creation 3 – Intensive module supporting your practical games dissertation projects

  • Major Design Project

  • Major Theoretical Project

  • Asset Creation Project

Typical Dissertations

In your final year on the course, dissertations will comprise a game design with a working prototype as well as a section of working assets. Also, at level three you will write an in-depth investigation into an element of games theory which has drawn your attention. You will pitch your game designs to an invited industry panel for specialist feedback.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

  • GCE A-level BBB.

  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in a related subject

  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in a related subject with an A-Level at grade B.

  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in a related subject with A-Levels grade BB.

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma 32 points.

  • Access to Higher EducationDiploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 with Merits in all units.

GCSE Mathematics grade C and GCSE English grade C are also required.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 5.5 in all areas)

  • Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)

  • BrunELT: 65% (min 55% in all areas)

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Access Bursary

    Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

  • Alumni Bursary

    Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Brunel University.

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