Computer Games Design

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 9.24 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 10.4 k / Year(s)  
StudyQA ranking:6541 Duration:36 months

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Description

If making computer games is your passion then BA (Hons) Computer Games Design can help you fulfil your ambitions. From day one you will be making games and gaining the practical experience you need of the full production pipeline from initial pitching, iterating and play-testing through to the completion of both 2 and 3 Dimensional digital games.

Key Course Content

Taught modules cover the following core aspects of game design, developing the skills you need to make great games both individually and in small development teams.

Comprehensive exploration of games design mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics.

Detailed exploration of level design using the Unreal Development Kit.

Scripting in Actionscript 3 and Unity for both 2D and 3D games.

Experience of the art production pipeline for both 2D and 3D game engines.

3D modelling with 3DS Max.

Practical experience of agile games management methodology including bug tracking and testing.

Design masterclass, supplied by industry partners.

Extended game development modules at all levels of the course.

Opportunities to specialise, including final year dissertation.

Exclusive use of 2 x 20 seat digital game development studios.

Enhanced Experience

As of September 2013 we are able to offer all students undertaking our degree internship opportunities on the development of live commercial games. We are able to make this offer precisely because both the curriculum and working practices that our degree is focussed on makes students ready to undertake this work. A student graduating from Games Design at UCS will be able to point to commercial projects they have contributed to as part of their CV giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace.

As evidence of our ability to develop industry ready practitioners, this year we have 5 final year students who have completed 2 month internships with Sony Cambridge, 2 final year students who are currently on internship with Guerrilla Games Amsterdam, 2 final year students who are completing an internship with a local outsourcing company for the MekTek MechWarrier game.

Throughout the course there is constant engagement through guest lectures, conferences and live briefs with games industry partners including Sony Cambridge & Moviestorm Cambridge.

UCS Computer Games Design plays host to the annual Global Games Jam.

Awards

In May 2012 Four Computer Games Design students from University Campus Suffolk (UCS) were presented with the award for Best Mobile Social Game at GameHack UK-

The event was held at Pinewood Studios in London and the team came up with a social game concept piece which won accolades from the judges at PapayaMobile- the mobile social gaming network for Android and iOS which has over 35 million users.

The students were not only be presented with a top of the range Android smartphone, but are also being given support from PapayaMobile to develop and market the concept with a guaranteed 25,000 downloads once the game is completed.

What employers say

“A comprehensive understanding of games design is extremely important in the gaming industry and has a direct impact on the quality and success of our products. We have a number of graduates from the course on our staff and their ideas and skills have helped them to excel and push our business forward.”

Matt David Ludo Logic

“A number of students and graduates from the BA Computer Games course have recently worked with our art and design team in the development of mobile and social games. This course provides a local pool of talented and enthusiastic individuals that we have been fortunate to be able to draw upon.”

Rob Head Sliding Pixel

What our students say

"The course has given me the skills and tools that I need to make the games that I want to make"

Joseph Kinglake Year 6

“As long as you're passionate about games design with a strong work ethic then this course will give you just about the best chance you can have to get into the industry.”

Dan Baker Year 6

“The course suits my needs perfectly by giving me the variety and freedom to discover my strengths, whilst also providing tutor support whenever I need it.”

Tom Weaver Year 6

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline UK or any other EU country - 15 January ; International - 30 June Tuition fee
  • EUR 9240 Year (EEA)
  • EUR 10360 Year (Non-EEA)

Students starting at UCS in September 2013 will be charged £8,000 for a full-time Bachelor degree.

Tuition fees for full-time undergraduate overseas fee payers for the academic year 2013-2014 are:

  • Classroom-based 9,000 GBP (£)
  • Laboratory-based 10,500* GBP (£)
Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible

Course Content

First year students are immersed from day one in the game production pipeline. Students receive a grounding in the key principles and tools of game mechanics, along with the dynamics and aesthetics of games as understood in their wider cultural context.

In the second year students continue to deepen their understanding of these processes, along with learning about the key management tools for games production. Final year students engage in larger scale individual and group projects, bringing to fruition a significant body of work to showcase to prospective employers.

After completing this degree, students can apply for work as games designers and seek work within the wider games industry.

First year modules include:

  • Group Project
  • Introduction to Design Methods
  • 3D Modelling for Games
  • Introduction to Digital Production Techniques: Scripting
  • Introduction to Critical Games Studies

Second year modules include:

  • Modding
  • Practical Prototyping
  • Managing Games Production
  • 3D Modelling for Games
  • Flash Game Development
  • Anymation

Third year modules include:

  • Dissertation
  • Game Project
  • Portfolio
  • Design Masterclass

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 87

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

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

All students are expected to be able to understand and express themselves fully in English in order to succeed on the course. Applicants whose first language is not English are welcome to apply but expected to undertake one of the Secure English Language Test (SELT) specified by the UKBA before joining the course. Non-EU applicants are required to submit SELT scores before a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued. Depending on your choice of course you are required to secure a minimum of CEFR B2 or C1 level.
Typically the following test scores are acceptable:

Undergraduate Courses:

  • IELTS (academic): 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
  • TOEFL: IBT (Internet Based Test) 87 overall
    (a minimum of 17 in listening 17 in writing; 18 in reading; and 20 in the speaking component) or equivalent Computer based/Paper based test
  • Pearson PTE: 51 overall
  • Diagnostic Radiography, Radiotherapy and Oncology, ODP and all Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery courses require IELTS 7.0 overall or CEFR C1 equivalent (minimum 5.5 in all components)
  • Cambridge ESOL at CEFR B2 level

Typical Offer:

280 UCAS tariff points (or equivalent)

Applications are welcome from all who can benefit from and successfully complete the course.

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 University Campus Suffolk.

Funding

UCS Financial Support

UCS Bursary 2013 Entry

From September 2013, UCS is introducing a new bursary scheme for students living away from the parental home, to help with accommodation costs while studying.

Successful applicants will receive a £1,000 bursary in their first year of study and a £500 bursary in both their second and third years of study.

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme (NSP) has been created to offer support to students from lower income backgrounds. The Government has awarded a number of Scholarships to UCS for students starting an undergraduate degree in September 2013. UCS has committed to matching these Scholarships, providing fee waivers to a larger number of students.

Successful full-time applicants will receive a total fee waiver of £6,000; £3,000 in their first year of study and £3,000 in their second year of study.

Successful part-time applicants will receive a fee waiver on a pro rata basis for their first and second years of study. For example part-time students studying 50% of the full time equivalent course in their first year will receive a fee waiver of £1,500.

Suffolk Access Champion Scheme

The Suffolk Access Champion Scheme is open to students who have studied in Suffolk and are applying to study a full-time undergraduate degree programme at UCS in 2013/14.

Successful applicants will become Suffolk Access Champions and will work over two years mentoring Year 10 and 11 students to encourage progression on to higher education.

In return for their participation in the scheme, Access Champions will receive a total fee waiver of £8,000; £5,000 in their first year of study and £3,000 in their second year of study.

UCS Science Fee Waiver

UCS is introducing a new Science fee waiver for students starting one of the four year science programmes in 2013. This scheme entitles successful applicants to a fee waiver of up to £1,500 across years two and three of their degree.

Ipswich Borough Council and UCS Bursary

Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) is working in conjunction with UCS to offer a non-repayable bursary scheme to selected full and part-time students from lower income backgrounds to help with costs associated with their course of study.

A total of four IBC and UCS bursaries are available in 2013/14. Successful applicants will receive £1,000 in their first year of study. Awards are expected to continue into Year 2 of study on the condition that household income remains within the scheme threshold.

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