BSc (Hons) Games Design

Prepare for a career in games and computer entertainment, animation, interactive environments, 3d visualisation or creative advertising. Develop the specialist skills and knowledge to enter the games, digital and creative entertainment industries. 

As part of your course you’ll:

• Focus on three main areas: programming and software engineering; art, concept and asset production; and game design studies, practice and theory
• Take products from an initial idea through the design, visualisation and technical implementation stages
• Be encouraged to foster your individual creativity
• Produce games based on your ideas
• Work with other students and tutors who have a passion for games and gaming
• Placement opportunities, networking events and guest lectures from industry experts such as Disney animator Aaron Blaise, Codemasters, Team17 Digital and Ben Dare from Ubisoft Toronto will enhance your awareness of the career opportunities open to you.  

Final year students also have the opportunity to showcase their work in front of leading employers at the end of year degree show. You can see some of their work in the Leeds School of Arts Festival. Previous years have seen many of our students gain job offers through the showcase opportunities.

You can also view student work from this course and BA (Hons) Games Art on our Instagram page and follow us on X (formerly Twitter).

Opportunities of tomorrow

• Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Unreal Engine, a 3D computer graphics game engine, to prepare the next generation of creators and developers for roles in interactive 3D. The Academic Partner Program offers access to exclusive benefits such as enterprise software licenses, premium service subscriptions, co-marketing opportunities, and Marketplace credits for projects.

Why study Games Design at Leeds Beckett University.

• 100 percent of graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation
• Gain valuable time in industry and practise developing content based on professional briefs through our placement scheme
• Showcase your work in front of leading employers at the end of year degree show, where past students have secured job offers
• Study within one of the largest university arts communities in the north, with 3000 students spread across over 40 courses

Everything you need to know

• Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.

Teaching & Learning

• Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.

Year 1
What you'll learn

• Games Design
• Game Asset Creation
• Game Development 1
• Game Development 2

Study the key principles and techniques used to create engaging stories and game products. This module will help you to begin building your skills in the 'rules' of game design to be able to create functional games. You'll learn how to produce interesting stories through interactive design and an emotion centric approach. You'll draw from your own unique past experiences and interests and use these as inspiration during the game design process.

Year 2
What you'll learn

• Game Development 3
• Game Animation & VFX
• Game Studies
• Game Environments
• Concept Art & Visualisation
• Group Project

Study advanced topics in game development. These topics will directly relate to the systems used within game design. They will provide you with a toolbox approach when solving complex design issues. These systems will then be built upon and expanded to offer further nuanced approaches as you develop your skillset.

Placement Year

• This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘placement’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
• Students who choose the placement route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.

Year 3
What you'll learn

• Production Project
• Dissertation
• Games Studio

This module will provide the opportunity to develop a product as a design team, ideally for an external client. You'll research, generate ideas, design, create, implement and evaluate your product, reflecting on your own performance throughout the process. You'll follow the given game design development process and develop mechanics based on player and tutor feedback.

Option modules may include

• Applied Game Design
• Advanced Game Systems & Programming
• Advanced 3D Visualisation

Learn about the characteristics of game mechanics that promote learning, engagement and retention through positive design, as well as aspects of behavioural game design. You'll work to a client brief to produce the concept and prototype 'electronic proof of concept' for a commercial applied innovative game project.

Your future in our hands

• There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.

Career Prospects

You will graduate with a range of skills relevant to computing, digital studio production, creative agency markets and micro-business management. You could work in games and digital entertainment, 3D visualisation or in the creative marketing sector. Our graduates have found employment with some of the top games companies, including Rockstar Leeds, Sumo Digital and Team17 Digital, as well as international digital agencies such as Dubit.

• Games programmer
• Digital and concept artist/environment artist
• Games designer
• QA tester