University of Cumbria
Games Design (with integrated foundation year) BA (Hons)
University of Cumbria

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria? No problem.

Whether it's Nintendo's Super Mario Bros, Ion Storm's Deus Ex, or Rockstar's GTA V, all successful games throughout each generation are built on good game and level design, story-telling, 2D and 3D modelling and texturing.

This is the games design course for you, made to enable you to get ready for a career in the multi-billion pound games industry. Spark your imagination and let that creativity run riot at our dedicated arts campus.

Course Overview

Turn your ideas into exciting new games. Seventy-five percent of your course is practical – designing, developing and creating new game experiences to create a portfolio for future employers.

This games design degree is all about the art and design work related to video games, creating storyboard concepts and turning them into playable prototypes. You’ll gain the skills to compete in this growing industry.

Industry-standard 3D and games engine software will help you develop essential skills including drawing, modelling, texturing and using the games engine. Our dedicated arts campus will allow you to mix with other creatives, allowing you to work on joint projects and develop your own network of creative practitioners.

On this course you will...

  • Have access to dedicated Games Design labs with industry-standard software, providing a friendly, collegiate, and supportive environment.
  • You learn games specific topics like drawing & concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modelling, texturing, level design, and game theory.
  • Have the opportunity to take a range of trips outside of the lab to gain inspiration and improve creative thinking. In previous years they have included games expo – EGX and Develop: Brighton.
  • Take part in our annual Game Jam that culminates in an award ceremony featuring Industry experts as judges and delivering a keynote lecture.
  • Develop a wide range of transferable digital skills allowing you to take up a number of internships during your studies.

What you will learn

Our foundation year will help you reach the right level for taking the rest of the degree, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon.

On this programme, you will learn to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences. However, this is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. You will learn all about art and design, developing storyboards and concepts which you will later turn into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D).

Year One

  • Media in Context
  • Professional Practice
  • Media Narratives
  • Published Media Products
  • Introduction to Drawing for Gaming
  • Creative Technologies for Game Design

Year Two

  • Cultural Contexts
  • Collaborative Practice
  • Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
  • 3D Modelling
  • Gaming For Game Designers

Year Three

  • Understanding the Creative Economy
  • Working in the Creative Economy
  • Concept To Prototype
  • Concept Art & Visualisation 2
  • Texturing
  • Digital Sculpting (Optional)
  • Games Creation - Design to Distribution (Optional)
  • Motion Capture and Animation for Games (Optional)
  • Digital Painting Techniques (Optional)

Year Four

  • Theory and Research Methods in the Arts
  • Dissertation
  • Group Game Project
  • Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
  • Major Project

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

    • 6.5
    • All Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Games Design (with integrated foundation year), BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Games Design (with integrated foundation year) BA (Hons)

EU £9250 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £13575 year 1

Additional fee information

These fees are for the first year only. For years 2 - 4, the BA or BSc fee will apply.

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:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of University of Cumbria in top UK and global rankings.

See all 6 university rankings of University of Cumbria

About University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria is an institution whose stated aims are to develop the region’s talent and capabilities, and also to attract new talent into the region. The university operates out of 7 distinct campuses, two of which are situated within World Heritage sites and is the only university in the UK to be set in a national park. Each distinct campus has something unique to offer prospective students.

List of 117 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Cumbria - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Cumbria

undergraduates:
5445
postgraduates:
1135
Total:
6580
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Where is this programme taught

Carlisle - Brampton Road
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