Anglia Ruskin University
Computer Games Design BA (Hons)
Anglia Ruskin University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 25 graduates of Computer Games Design BA (Hons) and other courses in computer games and animation at Anglia Ruskin University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in computer games and animation.

Overall student satisfaction
59 /100
25 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Computing

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of computer games and animation at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £30000 £24000 £28000
25-75 percentile range £27000 - £36000 £19000 - £30000 £20500 - £38500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Computing

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23390 £20411 £24692
25-75 percentile range £19866 - £26906 £14825 - £25703 £18756 - £32023

Course Description

Become a specialist in the field of games design and learn to work as part of a creative project team, with our Computer Games Design degree in Cambridge.

Our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design course will take you through the main areas of computer games development, from idea generation all the way to releasing a playable and polished game.

As you study you’ll develop specialist skills in game design, level design, user interface design, and user experience design. You’ll learn about different methods for user and task analysis that will help you develop intuitive and accessible interfaces.

You’ll also develop a deep understanding of the two most popular commercial game engines, Unity and Unreal – knowledge that is highly sought after in the creative industries.

And of course you’ll build a professional portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers and clients.

There’s never been a better time to take a degree in computer games. According to UKIE, the value of the UK video games market reached £7bn in 2020. The industry needs highly skilled graduates that can work in multidisciplinary teams.

ARU is the place to study a computer games degree. The East of England is a hub for games companies, including Jagex, Frontier Developments and Ninja Theory. As a Computer Games Design student at ARU, you’ll be based in the heart of Cambridge.

Working as a team is crucial to games development, so you’ll take part in collaborative projects with students from other creative courses, developing your skills in teamwork and project management.

Every year, you’ll also tackle live briefs from our industry partners. These might include prototyping game ideas, and even developing teaser games. You’ll have a chance to take part in negotiated briefs too, which may focus more on your particular interests and specialisms.

Throughout your Computer Games Design degree, our expert staff are on hand to offer support and feedback. They’ll help you create an online presence to showcase your work.

You’ll also attend games jams, industry talks, conferences and festivals, like our annual gaming-inspired event Gamebridge. At Gamebridge, students from across the country attend industry-led talks and 1-2-1 portfolio reviews, whilst showcasing their work and networking with companies such as Frontier and Jagex, as well as other like-minded students.

Industry-standard facilities

As a Computer Games student at ARU you'll have access to:

  • High-end computers with graphic tablets
  • Motion capture equipment
  • Render farm
  • Industry-standard SLRs (for HDRI capture)
  • HD cameras
  • Top of the range 3D modelling, animation, and compositing software including Maya, Motion Builder, 3DS Max, Mudbox, ZBrush and Unity 3D

Our Computer Games Technical Officer will be on hand to offer training and support. You'll also have access to all our other creative facilities and equipment.

Careers

Our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design degree will help you get experience and find future work in design-focused roles such as game designer, level designer, user interface designer, and user experience designer.

All your work will go into your professional portfolio, including an online presence on portfolio sites, websites and blogs, so you’ll be ready to showcase your skills to future employers and clients.

Live briefs will not only help you prepare for work in the games industry – some may show you how to use your skills for communal wellbeing, regardless of where you work. For example, our brief with mental health charity Safe In Our World allows you to research professional and ethical issues faced within the games industry.

Research-based learning will play a large role in your project work, helping you develop a range of academic skills including information literacy, critical thinking and presenting an argument. You’ll also pick up transferable skills in teamwork, project organisation and management, and self-development.

Accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association) as delivering skills relevant to the games industry. TIGA accreditation is applicable to courses meeting any of a wide range of games industry needs, such as programming, art, design and entrepreneurship.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Computer Games Design BA (Hons) at Anglia Ruskin University

30% Administrative occupations
10% Customer service occupations
10% Media Professionals
10% Welfare and housing associate professionals
10% Artistic, literary and media occupations
10% Elementary occupations
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Sales occupations

Our assessment methods reflect the practices you will need to work in the modern games industry. These include team project work; working to client/employer requirements; researching and producing designs; creating artefacts; understanding game design issues and design techniques; and demonstrating a knowledge of world-building. At each level of the course you will also be assessed on a written reflection of your own skillsets and your plan for professional development over the following year and into graduation.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent).

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for computer games and animation

Qualification requirements

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 4.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 5.5
    • Foundation Law
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees Law
    • 5.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Computer Games Design, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Computer Games Design BA (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1

Additional fee information

**

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Anglia Ruskin University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 20 university rankings of Anglia Ruskin University

About Anglia Ruskin University

Founded in 1858, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is located in Cambridge, England, just a 15-minute walk from the City Centre. This university offers an extensive catalogue of Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, as well as 8 student housing options at distinct price points. Cambridge is famous for being a student city, and those at ARU can benefit from that by mixing with those students working at the numerous universities throughout the city.

List of 290 Bachelor and Master Courses from Anglia Ruskin University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Anglia Ruskin University

undergraduates:
23010
postgraduates:
5190
Total:
28200
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Where is this programme taught

Cambridge Campus
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