Sheffield Hallam University
Game Design and Development BA
Sheffield Hallam University

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 45 graduates of Game Design and Development BA at Sheffield Hallam University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Teacher Training.

Overall student satisfaction
71 /100
45 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Teacher Training

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Teacher Training 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 £25500 £25000 £30500
25-75 percentile range £25000 - £27000 £21500 - £26000 £24000 - £32000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Teacher Training

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26506 £24514 £28116
25-75 percentile range £24888 - £29177 £18792 - £27897 £20130 - £32846

Course Description

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

  • Learn the key techniques and skills required to create a wide variety of games.
  • Attain a deep understanding of game play.
  • Create prototypes and game concept pitches for external clients and experts.
  • Collaborate with students from other gaming disciplines to understand game production in a team context.
  • Gain the visual communication and creative problem-solving skills industry employers are looking for.

On this course, you'll explore the artistry and industry of games design. You’ll complete real game development projects and develop your own creative approach, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources supported by the likes of Sony Playstation. Upon graduation, you'll have the portfolio, experience and qualifications you need to land an exciting position.

How you learn:

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

This course employs a creative, practice-based approach set within the context of group project activity. This emulates the collaborative nature of professional practice within the creative industries, and is underpinned by analysis, iteration of ideas and concepts, and reflection on creative processes.

As you progress through the course you will be able to choose your own focus and develop your understanding of specific roles within game development and game design.

You will design and create prototypes, organise playtesting sessions with potential audience members, work as a member in an agile game development team and produce and maintain a professional portfolio of own game design work.

You learn through:

  • lectures and tutorials
  • supervision sessions
  • design workshops
  • group projects
  • self-directed study
  • field trips

Applied learning

Live projects

The course includes a range of professional development and work-based learning opportunities, including producing game concept and prototype pitches for commercial and other external clients, guest lectures from industry professionals and networking events. You will get opportunities to develop your own future strategy as a game professional whether that be freelancing, working as an independent game developer or working in a specific sector in the game or interactive media industries.

Field trips

Industry visits, field trips, game jams, and live projects will be a key aspect of your preparation for employment, facilitate contextual knowledge and understanding and provide opportunities for networking and cementing relationships with industry and fellow aspiring game designers, artists, and programmers.

Networking opportunities

At every level of the course, through the networks of the course staff, you will have the opportunity to engage with specialist visiting lecturers from the industry to show your work. A wide range of professional development and networking opportunities are supported by the Media Arts and Communications Department, such as the yearly Pathways event. We always seek to support and enable any student who obtains a placement to be able to take such opportunities.

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 Game Design and Development BA at Sheffield Hallam University

77% Protective service occupations
6% Skilled trades occupations
3% Business and public service associate professionals
2% Administrative occupations
2% Elementary occupations
1% Media Professionals
1% Teaching Professionals
1% Sales occupations
1% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
1% Artistic, literary and media occupations

Grading & Study Time

**Coursework, practicals**

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

This must include at least 32 points from two A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example: BBC-BBB at A Level, DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma, Merit overall from a T level Qualification, or a combination of qualifications (which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies).

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Access to HE Diploma

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic)

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill, or equivalent.

IELTS (Academic) 6.5

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill, or equivalent.

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Game Design and Development, BA, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Game Design and Development BA

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
EU £15860 year 1
International £15860 year 1
EU £16655 year 1
International £16655 year 1

Additional fee information

Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/2025 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/2024 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Our tuition fees for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

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 Sheffield Hallam University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 28 university rankings of Sheffield Hallam University

About Sheffield Hallam University

Founded in 1969, Sheffield Hallam University is located in the city of Sheffield, in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. Sheffield is the UK's fifth largest urban centre, 60% of which consists of vibrant green spaces such as city parks, gardens and countryside. SHU prides itself on the important position it occupies in Sheffield as a pillar of the local economy, workforce, and infrastructure. This is reflected in the fact that almost half of this university’s enrolled students are from low-income backgrounds.

List of 315 Bachelor and Master Courses from Sheffield Hallam University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Sheffield Hallam University

undergraduates:
21265
postgraduates:
5175
Total:
26440
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Where is this programme taught

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