BSc (Hons) Games Development
BSc (Hons) Games Development
Institution code: N39Course UCAS code: I610Course length: 3 years
Our BSc (Hons) Games Development degree is all about hands-on games development. On this course you’ll learn the end-to-end process of making games and discover what it takes to become a successful games developer.
“Ask why and ask why does it have to be that way and can it be better?” – Charles Reeves, Director of User Experience Design at Aviva and previously at Call of Duty gives a guest lecture at NUA.
You’ll master the mechanics of playful interaction, whether you’re building your technical expertise in 3D or forms of artificial intelligence. Through skills workshops, technical demonstrations, live briefs and professional practice with the network of digital creative businesses that helped shape the course, you’ll see what it takes to create software engineering that delights, excites and challenges users.
Your games development skills
Our undergraduate games development course allows you to focus on areas that interest you, professionally and personally. You’ll be exposed to a variety of industry standard platforms and technologies to understand their differences and how they are best deployed.
Applying computer science, emerging technologies, user experience and interaction design to the creation of new games, you’ll create games for different audiences, based on evidence gathered through research, observation and practical experimentation.
You’ll evolve how you think, make decisions and develop ideas, to ultimately code games that give users an exceptional experience.
Your games development future
As well as acquiring and developing the creative tools that will enable you to develop unique and innovative games, this degree will also show you how to make them commercially successful.
You’ll get a thorough grounding in the business of games, learning how to develop, distribute and licence games products as an independent producer.
Typical careers paths include
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You’ll also get specialist creative careers advice from our Careers Team in the Ideas FactoryNUA to help support you as you plan your career.
Course content
- Year 1
- Pursue a common first year with fellow BSc routes Interaction Design and User Experience Design, enjoying the wider insights gained from interdisciplinary learning while maintaining a sharp focus on developing core Games Development skills x
- Research and develop aspects of game interface design through the application of digital design principals and frameworks
- Learn the fundamental skills associated with software engineering for games and build core technical competency
- Undertake web game development projects using industry standard practices and frameworks, incorporating relevant coding languages and libraries
- Develop techniques for the collection and analysis of user interaction data and explore industry standard research methods
- Develop prototyping, user testing skills and gain understanding of the role of cognitive science within game design
- Develop awareness of the digital project lifecycle, key milestones and processes by designing and developing a fully functional web-based game project.
- Year 2
- Gain a deeper understanding of applied games development through the design and development of a 3D game for a specific platform and audience
- Move on from purely browser-based games to working within an industry standard integrated development environment (IDE) to develop more sophisticated programming techniques
- Examine the principals of physics and mathematics that underpin games to simulate real-world environments
- Explore the use of networking to create multiplayer games
- Investigate the use of path finding and artificial intelligence algorithms within games
- Identify and develop a technical specialism and area of interest
- Deepen your project management experience using digital tools for developing and tracking progress, delivery and results
- Develop awareness of issues concerning professional practice, such as health and safety, funding structures, curation/display, enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Consolidate and develop games testing processes.
- Year 3
- Develop advanced technical skills and demonstrate proficiency in your chosen specialism
- Undertake work with non-traditional interface technology to deliver an experience to the player, e.g. using augmented reality, virtual reality or motion sensing
- Pitch ideas to industry professionals
- Develop awareness of how to publish, license and monetise games
- Refine and apply advanced research skills toward the completion of a final project that will demonstrate craftsmanship and mastery of games development techniques as you enter the industry.
Student work
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Convention
Typical UK offers
A / AS Levels – GCE
3 A-level qualifications at grades BBB, at least one of which must be in a science/technical subject (e.g. maths, physics, computer science). Where candidates are not taking 3 A-levels, NUA will consider combinations of A-level/AS-level and other Level 3 qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction, Merit, Merit in a science/technical subject (e.g. maths, physics, computer science)
BTEC Diploma (QCF or RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction in a science/technical subject (e.g. maths, physics, computer science)
UAL Extended Diploma
An overall Merit in a science/technical subject (e.g. maths, physics, computer science)
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)
Pass in a science/technical subject (e.g. maths, physics, computer science)
International Baccalaureate Diploma
A minimum of 27 points
NUA welcomes applicants of all ages from all backgrounds. Your application will be primarily assessed through interview and portfolio review so even if you have no formal qualifications or do not meet our typical offers it can still be worth applying.
If you are studying at the time of your application and your interview is successful, it is likely that you will receive a conditional offer.
If the qualification that you are studying is not shown, do not worry as we are able to accept other pre-entry qualifications as well as combinations of different qualifications. Please do contact our Student Recruitment Team if you have any queries.
International applications
We accept qualifications from all over the world. To find our entry requirements from a specific country, please check our dedicated international pages.
Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification. Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section. Equivalent English language qualifications are acceptable such as, IB English language syllabus A or B/English Literature (Grade 4).
We also accept some alternative English qualifications. Learn more about our English entry requirements.
You can email us on international@nua.ac.uk if you’d like to discuss your application individually.
BSc (Hons) Games Development degree portfolio guidance
Your portfolio should be relevant to this course, but you can include a wide range of work that shows your creativity, technical competence, industry awareness and career aspirations.
You may wish to include some of the following:
- One or two games or game elements created using any software.
- A coding project that you’ve undertaken (any coding language is accepted)
- Drawings, diagrams and illustrations that demonstrate your creative skills, including images drawn from observations or from imagination
- Sketches, interface diagrams or prototypes that demonstrate your interface design skills.
- A short piece of critical writing about one or more games, for example that analyses positive and negative elements of a game.
- Examples of experimental collaborative projects (such as attending Game Jam events).
Further portfolio advice and tips
Get more advice on presentation formats, layouts and when to submit your portfolio in the application process.
Your interview
After you apply to study course title at NUA we’ll invite you to an interview on campus or by Skype or telephone, depending on your circumstance.
If you apply by the UCAS deadline of 15 January your interview will usually take place in February. We’ll ask you to prepare your portfolio ready to bring with you or submit online ahead of your interview.
Fees and Funding
The cost of your course is determined by your status as either ‘UK/EU’ or ‘International’, so it’s important to check your fee status. If you’re unsure, the UKCISA website will help you determine whether you’re eligible to pay a UK/EU fee (also called a ‘home’ fee). If you’d prefer to speak to NUA directly, please contact student.finance@nua.ac.uk
UK/EU students are eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK government, meaning you won’t have to pay your fees up front. Further details about tuition fee loans are provided below. International students are not eligible for the UK government tuition fee loan.
2019/20 Tuition Fees For New Entrants
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Citizen status |
Course |
Fee |
|
UK/EU nationality |
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) |
£9,250 |
|
International (non-EU) |
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) |
£14,500 |
Fees will remain the same for each year of your course.
International students
Find out more about 2019 fees for international students and the support available.
Financial support for UK/EU students
Tuition fee loans and loans for living costs are available, as well as non-repayable NUA bursaries that take into account family income. Find out how to apply for funding.
Tuition Fee Loan for Undergraduate study
Tuition fee loans are available for UK and EU students.
- Available to cover the full cost of your tuition
- You don’t have to pay for your course up front yourself
- Only start paying back when you are earning over £25,000 per year
Maintenance Loan for Undergraduate study – 2018/19
Student Maintenance Loans are available for UK and eligible EU students to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, clothes, travel and course expenses. The amount students receive is dependent on household income and any maintenance grant received.
- A loan of up to £8,700 may be available if you live away from home.
- A loan of up to £7,324 may be available if you live with your parents.
How can you find out more?
To learn more about loans, repayment calculations and other financial support, visit Student Finance. If you have any questions about fees, please email student.finance@nua.ac.uk
Scholarships
Find out about scholarship programmes available to NUA applicants.
Bursaries
For new entrants whose household income is assessed as £25,000 or less, the university will offer a contribution towards the costs of studying at NUA (such as equipment, materials and other course-related costs). This will be £200 for new entrants to Year 0 and Year 1, rising to £300 in Year 2, followed by £500 in Year 3. Find out more about bursaries at NUA.
NUA alumni, staff and feeder staff discount
All NUA alumni are eligible for a £1,000 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees. All NUA staff and staff from feeder institutions are eligible for a £500 discount on NUA postgraduate degree fees.
Related Courses
Students
Thomas Russell
"I enjoy my contact time with tutors and being surrounded by such creative students and staff. The workshops have shaped my technical skill but for me, self-directed study has been the more rewarding."
BA (Hons) Games Art and Design
Josh Allen
"The games industry is everything I wanted for my career. I’m surrounded by amazing, talented people that inspire me every day. "
BA (Hons) Games Art & Design graduate
Lecturers
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Tom Haczewski
The User Story -
Kris Lavington Woods
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Ricky Walton
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Tim Caynes
Need help? Chat to our friendly recruitment team
Book a place on an Open Day, or to find out more about how to apply for a course at NUA, please contact Lynne, Sam, Tom, or Tori:
Call: +44 (0) 1603 610561
Email: studentrecruitment@nua.ac.uk
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