Ulster University
Games Design BDes
Ulster University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 20 graduates of Games Design BDes at Ulster University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Design Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
64 /100
20 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of Design Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22025 £20113 £23568
25-75 percentile range £19981 - £25071 £15144 - £24676 £17604 - £29974

Course Description

From The Last of Us to Angry Birds, PlayStation to mobile, the video games industry is the biggest entertainment market in the world. Game Designers are an integral part in the development of games and often develop the initial game ideas, structures, rules and gameplay features.

During the course you will study key game design principles and theories that underpin the development of successful games. You will learn practical skills in game prototyping, UI design, level design, game testing and game narrative techniques. Students will have the opportunity to create games for traditional and emerging platforms including contemporary technologies such as Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality devices allowing you to explore new possibilities in games. As games are developed in a highly collaborative environment you will learn essential teamwork and communication skills through the development of interdisciplinary group projects.

The aim course is to provide you with the necessary skills to fulfill a range of diverse employment opportunities in a rapidly growing area locally and internationally.

Foundation Year

A foundation diploma year gives you the opportunity to explore a range of art and design approaches and disciplines to help you choose your undergraduate specialism.

Find out about our Foundation Year

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 Games Design BDes at Ulster University

39% Process, plant and machine operatives
9% Customer service occupations
6% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
6% Sales occupations
6% Business and public service associate professionals
6% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Other Educational Professionals
4% Media Professionals
3% Health associate professionals
3% Administrative occupations

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Access to HE Diploma

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

English language requirements for international applicants The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores. Acceptable alternative qualifications include: Pass HND with overall Merit to include 45 distinctions in level 5 credits/units may be specified. Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include 75 distinctions in level 4 credits/units may be specified. You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met).

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Games Design, BDes, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Games Design BDes

England UK £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £4710 year 1
Ireland £4710 year 1
EU £15840 year 1
International £15840 year 1
Northern Ireland £4750 year 1
Ireland £4750 year 1
EU £16320 year 1
International £16320 year 1

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 Ulster University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 29 university rankings of Ulster University

About Ulster University

Ulster University is a publicly funded higher education institution located in Northern Ireland. The university owns and manages four main campuses: Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown, and Magee. Each campus hosts its own special facilities for the departments that occupy them, with some of the facilities between them including an award-winning Law Clinic, television and radio studios, Clinical Physiology suites, among many other well-equipped facilities.

List of 235 Bachelor and Master Courses from Ulster University - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

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