Brunel University
Digital Games Theory and Design MA
Brunel University

Key Course Facts

Course Description

The games design industry, in the UK and worldwide, is growing and there is a demand for skilled and well-educated professionals to take gaming to its next level. Brunel’s Digital Games Theory and Design MA course will give you a comprehensive understanding of digital games and the techniques and principles used in their design.

You will engage in, and experiment with, practical games design. You will focus on the process of devising the gameplay experience. This will include (but is not limited to) the creation of rules, gameplay mechanics, narrative, world design and user experience.

This is not a programming course and it’s not a graphics course, so there is no need for you to have programming skills or to have an art background. You will learn how to create your own practical designs, how to communicate your ideas to an audience, how to create games design documents, and you’ll also explore games studies.

You will have opportunities to make connections with other games design cohorts and industry experts. And we will encourage you to participate in extracurricular activities such as game jams and game-related networking events. These are all activities that introduce you to the broader social culture of the digital and creative world and are vital to being successful in the games industry.

The course is run by staff who are seasoned games designers and internationally published scholars who are active in the industry. They will share their enthusiasm and understanding of the nature of the video game industry, the importance of networks and the skills needed to create innovative games for the future.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees Arts, Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees Law
    • 6.0
    • Graduate Degrees Science, Technology and IT
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Arts, Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Law
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Science, Technology and IT

Every year Brunel University London offers over 600 scholarships, bursaries and discounts to home, EU and international students. To apply you will need to have received an offer on one of our courses and submitted the relevant application. Please visit our website to discover more. https://www.brunel.ac.uk/scholarships
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Digital Games Theory and Design, MA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Multimedia, Digital Design, Computing, or Electrical Engineering.

Costs

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.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Brunel University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 32 university rankings of Brunel University

About Brunel University

Established in 1957, Brunel University is located in the large town of Uxbridge, in suburban London. Thanks to its location, Brunel University has numerous public transport connections to London, which students make use of for expanding their options when it comes to work experience placements. The admission rate is lower than in many universities, so applicants should prepare their personal statements and interviews well when applying to enrol here.

List of 270 Bachelor and Master Courses from Brunel University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Brunel University

Total number of students enrolled at Brunel University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
11215
postgraduates:
4730
Total:
15945
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Computer Games”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

Brunel University London
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Admission advice for international students