Games Development (Design) BA(Hons)

Start date

18 September 2023

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years inc. placement year

About the course

Reasons to study

Boost your CV: Take part in internal Games Jams, or externally organised events like the Global Game Jam, Grads in Games and Game Republic.
Industry experience: We'll support you to secure a placement as part of your degree. Some students undertake this at our in-house games development studio, Canalside Studios.
Cover multiple disciplines: Our three Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts.

Computer game designers are needed as the fundamental backbones of computer game development. Creating fun isn’t easy, and a good designer can create entertainment from complex systems whether it’s single-player, multiplayer, competitive or co-operative, designers create memorable gameplay experiences.

During the course we cover complex aspects of games design and development, we’ll analyse games to explore why a game is fun and the motivations of the player. We provide you with the chance to take a deeper look at the broader understanding of games development and explore what is possible within the medium of games.

Our three Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts. Learning to produce design prototypes, concept and artwork, scripting and playtesting all to learn the skills of the entire game production cycle. We’ll also aim to introduce new technologies and developments that emerge in the games industry, as well as exploring the subject in context, exploring current research, issues and ideas. As the course progresses and your understanding evolves you will become more specialised in your chosen area, producing design documentation and prototypes, concepts, artwork or scripting you’ll work both on your own but also in a group setting so we can support you in developing your team working abilities, which reflects the way the industry operates. Developing an understanding of the entire game production cycle leads to a more efficient and industry employable game developer.

Our Games Development (Design) explores various design disciplines:

Games analysis
Games design theory and practice
Visual scripting
Games prototyping
Visual design

During your studies, you’ll also have the chance to take part in lots of internal Game Jams. We’ll also encourage you to get involved in externally organised events like the Global Game Jam, Grads in Games and Game Republic.

Your course is designed for the real world – it carries the ‘ScreenSkills Tick’, which identifies courses best suited to prepare you for a Creative Industries career. We know you'll graduate aiming to gain a job in the industry, so we maintain active links with business and industry figures. If you’d like to take what you’ve learnt out into the real world, we also give you the opportunity to spend a placement year working in the industry and our Placement Unit can help you find a position that’s right for you.

Finally, if you’re a student from within the UK, you could even think about starting your own small business while you’re here by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year (EPY).

Course detail

Year 1

Core modules:

Concept Development 1

The module explores methods and practices around concept development and generating ideas for games. We aim to develop your understanding of game concepts, rules and mechanics through evaluation and critique of traditional and computer games, as well as gaining practical skills in the development and refinement or original concepts including formal iterative design methods, design documentation and visual and verbal presentation skills.

Games Team Project 1

The Games industry relies on professionals who work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. This module gives you an early experience of both developing game assets and working as part of a team in which such artefacts are planned, designed, implemented and evaluated. The module aims to provide you with an understanding of industry best practices within the games industry. This includes reflective and peer assessment of contribution to the team effort. You will gain introductory experience of a product development cycle, technology limitations, and possible future developments relevant to the course.

3D Games Asset Development

The module has been designed to introduce you to the principles of 3D asset creation for current generation video games and integration into games engines. During the module you will examine workflows for specific platforms and technologies, while developing an understanding of the requirements of developing assets to specific design briefs and styles.

Visual Studies (for Video Games)

This is a broad introductory module covering the key theoretical principles of visual design for computer games. Using a broad range of traditional and digital tools you will develop core practical and software skills in design, development and asset production processes.

Games Prototyping 1

The module aims to develop your technical skills and knowledge in game engine prototyping, using a state-of-the-art game engine, to design and develop a game prototype. Practical studio themes will be developed by tutors which are aimed at helping you to gain an understanding of how the theory fits in with computer games design. You will be introduced to the concepts and principles that underpin the creation of game prototypes and will use a visual scripting language to control actions, interactions and animations.

Introduction to 3D and Animation

The module will introduce you to the practical principles and theoretical knowledge of creating digital 3D characters. Examining a broad range of applications for 3D production and optimisation for games development you will create your own characters, from introductory models to complete character production pipeline.

Year 2

Core Modules:

Games Design and Development 2

This module builds on prior knowledge gained in previous study of game engines. You will be introduced to principles and good practices when designing and prototyping for game building. It will explore how assets and levels may be designed, created, imported and manipulated in (an) industry standard gaming environment(s). The module will then progress your understanding of scripting using an object-based language and will equip you with the skills to script interactions, actions and animations.

Team Project (Games)

You will partake in multiple weeklong game jams, working as part of a team to design, develop and produce a game. The module will allow you to develop your understanding and practical abilities in games production processes on both a technical and professional level, with a strong focus on team and communication skills and encouraging an active approach to individual professional development and team responsibilities. You and your team are expected to conform to professional working standards and follow an agreed code of conduct as part of the module; individual contributions to teamwork and attendance on timetabled sessions contribute to assessment and will be monitored.

Games Design and Innovation

In this module you will build on your knowledge and understanding of key design principles relating to computer games. The module will encourage innovation and creative thinking for the development of design ideas, as well as extending research and practical skills. You will progress initial concepts into workable design solutions with an emphasis on balancing creative ideas against technical and design requirements and constraints.

Games Analysis and Design

The module gives you the opportunity to study principles and approaches of computer games design and analysis. This module aims to provide a platform to research, deconstruct and critically analyse existing commercial games, and to leverage what can be learned through game analysis to design high-quality products with original solutions suitable to satisfy an intended target player group.

Option modules:

Chose one from a list which may include:

Visual Design for Games

This module provides an opportunity for you to develop your understanding of the process, practice and production of visual assets for game production; exploring creative, conceptual and technical approaches to asset production in relation to your field of study. The module will introduce a range of approaches, techniques, and frameworks. You will develop your visual literacy and production skills through practice; using a combination of traditional (paper based) and DCC tools and techniques in the production of an original portfolio.

Games Prototyping 2

The module aims to expand your technical skills and knowledge gained in your first year into tool development for games. Example tools might take the form of templates, procedural systems, VFX systems, modular building systems, car configurators or character customisation system, all designed to aid other artists and designers in rapid prototyping of game concepts. You will be introduced to the concepts and principles that underpin the design, specification and development of tools for use in game engines. You\ will use an object-based programming or scripting language to develop the game tool and test its success at meeting the product specification.

Year 3 – optional placement year

This course offers an optional one-year work placement after Year 2.

Final year

Core modules:

Individual Project

This module is driven by you. You are asked to select a problem to solve which is relevant to your degree, and of appropriate scope and depth to be tackled within a timeframe of 30 weeks. Carrying out the project enables you to develop and demonstrate your ability to undertake research, manage time, use your initiative, learn independently, discuss and write convincingly on a subject requiring independent learning. A supervisor will support you throughout your project. You’ll use your existing knowledge and be encouraged to acquire additional skills as you carry out your project. The aim of the project is to suggest a solution to an identified problem. Your final report should describe the aims, scope and motivation of the project, the research you have undertaken, and the technical solution provided, including justification for design and development decisions.

Team Project (Games)

Teams of approximately 8 students will form a games development team, allocating production roles and responsibilities as per standard games industry studio structure. Working from an agreed design outline, you will develop a professional quality game, to either a publishable standard or in the case of larger titles a vertical slice with the potential to attract publisher investment. You are expected to conform to professional working standards and an agreed code of conduct, this will include polished pitching and proposals, collaborative team working driven via sound project management and structured task assignment alongside an Agile development approach.

Concept Development 3

Option modules:

Chose one from a list which may include:

Games Prototyping 3

The module provides an opportunity for you to develop and demonstrate the synthesis of practical and conceptual skills for the planning and implementation of complex prototyping projects. Studio sessions will be used to introduce and discuss a range of theory and examples of current practice relating to the subject. You will work individually to undertake practical assignments. Individual independent research will allow you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of specialist topics.

Advanced Visual Design for Games

The module encourages an examination of the role of context, pre-production, production and post-production techniques in the commission, design and development of digital game art. A combination of current theory and case studies will provide the context for you to explore a range of analytical frameworks from which to critique contemporary game culture and your own working pipeline and practice. You will then further explore specialised topics and design practice through independent research, defining a suitable brief before synthesising their individual knowledge, conceptual and practical skills into an original body of visual work for a defined context.

Teaching and assessment

This course has been developed to focus on practical skills underpinned by technical theory. You will be taught through a series of lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical sessions. An average of 20%* of the study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions etc. The course emphasis is on the development of sound practical skills, alongside an understanding of theory.

Assessment is varied and includes coursework, log books, presentations and demonstrations, as well as formal examinations. There are opportunities for group working, in addition to individual assessments.

Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

*based on the course structure for 2023 entry as at November 2021

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

Teaching excellence

The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. This means that the student experience and student outcomes are typically outstanding. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2022). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 20 since 2008 (2022 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive the Level 5 in Leadership and Management Award from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), meaning you’ll graduate from the University of Huddersfield with an internationally recognised professional qualification, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees

Entry requirements

To find out if you’re eligible to start this course in September 2023 and get more information on how to apply, please see our Clearing pages or call our Clearing Helpline on 0333 987 9000 01484 472777.

If you’re interested in studying this course in September 2024, please view the 2024-25 course information.

Games Development

Our Games Development courses share a common first year, so you will gain a thorough understanding in the basics of the game development process, including how to plan, design and create game ideas and concepts. Learning to produce design prototypes, concept and artwork, scripting and playtesting all to learn the skills of the entire game production cycle. Our students regularly enter their work into a range of competitions and often win in a variety of categories.

Placements

This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The placement year is a valuable tool that can enhance your employability and help you to develop as an individual. It is acknowledged that graduates with industry experience are generally much more attractive to employers.

Our Placement Unit will be on hand to support you in finding suitable placement opportunities, through timetabled and drop-in sessions as well as by appointment. The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies and will assist you with preparing your CV and with interview techniques. They'll also be in contact with you during your placement so that you'll be fully supported while you gain the experience that employers value so highly.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. Find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

Facilities

Virtual Reality Equipment

Wacom drawing tablet

Playtesting games

Specialist Computer Games Lab

Student Work

3D render of a fox in snow by Rob Potter, Computer Science with Games Programming BSc(Hons)

Games Student Work Showreel 1

Computer Games Design BA(Hons) Student Work Showreel 17/18

Games Student Work Showreel 2

At Huddersfield, technology and creativity are at the heart of the student experience. Our Computer Science with Games Programming BSc(Hons) course aims to give you the skills to become a great programmer so you can get a rewarding job in this exciting sector.

Games Student Work Showreel 3

At Huddersfield, we encourage our games students to be ambitious, visionary and innovative. Our Computer Games Design BA(Hons) course gives you the chance to explore various aspects of games design and develop a personal portfolio of work

Your career

As a graduate of this course, you may consider employment in a wide range of sectors including games design, games visualisation and narrative design.

Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue any career that requires a good honours degree. You could go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study (including postgraduate teacher training) and research which may interest you.

*Percentage of graduates from this course who are in work and/or further study within fifteen months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 19/20 data, UK domiciled graduates)

90%* Graduates employed

Professional links and accreditations

This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills quality-mark for the purposes of indicating courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

This accreditation is reviewed on a regular basis.

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to study on your chosen subject, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also work with you to focus on life after you have graduated to help you towards achieving your ambitions.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions.Find out more about the service

Further study

Progression to a postgraduate course is dependent on successful completion of your undergraduate studies, there may also be minimum qualification requirements such as a first class or higher second (2.1) degree. Please check the course details to confirm this. You could also consider further study in the form of an MSc by Research (MRes) and ultimately if you’re successful you could potentially progress onto PhD study.

This accreditation is reviewed on a regular basis.

Career support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Computing and Engineering, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Support Office: a one stop shop for students studying within the School. The team deal with every aspect of student life from enrolment, module queries, timetabling, exams, assessments, course-related committees and graduation. They are the first place to go with any query, and they can also signpost to other support networks.

Student Guidance Office: provides guidance about how students can develop their academic study skills and learning development. The team provide support with academic skills including research and project planning, referencing and paraphrasing, essay writing, critical thinking, understanding assessments and the presentation of academic work. Common learning development topics include, developing effective study habits, time management, how to manage deadlines, plan, structure and organise work and understanding the University regulations and systems.

Technical Support: technicians support our students across each department. Based in our labs with different specialisms and knowledge they are on hand to advise and guide, students can access our technician’s expertise during lectures and seminars as well as during self-study. A technical Helpdesk is also available to all students within the School of Computing and Engineering to help troubleshoot any computer issues or to borrow hardware and software.

Personal Academic Tutor (PAT): you will be allocated a PAT who will be an academic based in the School of Computing and Engineering. You will be offered the opportunity to meet with your PAT at various points throughout the year. PATs are there to help you get the most out of your time at University, to discuss academic progress so that you can achieve your best and to direct you towards appropriate support services such as wellbeing and finance.

The full-time undergraduate tuition fee for 2023/24 entry will be £9250.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision and examinations. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see Fees and finance.

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

On this course optional field trips may be offered to destinations in the UK, which you would need to pay for if you choose to attend. Previous trips in recent years have included a visit to a regional game arcade for 1 day at a cost of £20.00 per student. Other field trips may cost more.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

The full-time undergraduate tuition fee for 2023/24 entry will be £9250.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Additional costs

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

Undergraduate

View more courses

Start date

Duration

About the course

Reasons to study

Course detail

Concept Development 1

Games Team Project 1

3D Games Asset Development

Visual Studies (for Video Games)

Games Prototyping 1

Introduction to 3D and Animation

Games Design and Development 2

Team Project (Games)

Games Design and Innovation

Games Analysis and Design

Visual Design for Games

Games Prototyping 2

Individual Project

Team Project (Games)

Concept Development 3

Games Prototyping 3

Advanced Visual Design for Games

Entry requirements

Games Development

Placements

Facilities

Student Work

Games Student Work Showreel 1

Games Student Work Showreel 2

Games Student Work Showreel 3

Your career

Career support

Student support

Fees and Finance

Fees and Finance

Important information

Changes to a course you have applied for

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Major changes

Termination of course

Equal opportunities

Data protection

Students’ Union membership

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