Game Design and Development BSc (Hons)

With a particular emphasis on the blend between the technical and creative aspects of games design, you’ll be taught the core theories that underpin the discipline and use these to guide your practical work and, in turn, gain the vocational experience needed to embark on a career in this fast-growing industry. 

Part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus group, our four-year Game Design and Development degree programme has been carefully designed to meet the demands of the contemporary gaming industry.

Through the course you’ll gain a robust understanding of areas such as:

• Game play
• Technical computer animation
• Game programming
• Script programming

You’ll be taught by an industry experienced team of academics including Carlton Reeve, a consultant for commercial AR games and Peter Chapman, who runs his own digital agency. And you’ll benefit from talks and workshops delivered by industry experts like Michael Ogden, Iki Ikram and Ben Smith. The high level of industry knowledge and insight gained here will provide you with the knowledge base you need to emerge as a confident and competent graduate.

You’ll have regular access to state-of-the-art facilities like the six camera Motion Capture Suite and technical equipment which you can use to put theory into practice and enhance your skillset. You can borrow equipment for you own personal projects too.

In your final year you will undertake a bespoke studio project, where you can collaborate with other disciplines and put theory into practice, whilst showcasing the skills you’ve developed throughout the course.

The department has close links with a number of prominent organisations. This includes the resident Working Academy placement agency and Game Republic (the Yorkshire games industry association), of which we are member. With access to such prestigious partners you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain extracurricular experience that will enable you to emerge as a highly desired and capable graduate.

What you will study
All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Introduction to 3D Computer Animation
• Introduction to Computer Programming for Games
• Creative Studio Production
• Play Theory and Practice
• History and Conventions of Computer Games
• 3D Character Modelling and Animation

Second Year

Core

• Game Appreciation and Industry Analysis
• Script Programming and Technical Animation
• Game Design Programming and Development
• Advanced Game Technology and Development
• Storytelling, Narrative and Experience

Option

• Digital Compositing and Post Production
• Application Programming and Development
• Simulation Effects for Animation and Games

Third Year

• Placement and/or Study Abroad

Final Year
Core

• Individual Project
• Group Project

Option

• Simulation Effects for Animation and Games
• Application Programming and Development
• Digital Compositing and Post Production

Learning and assessment

• Students will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, discussed and debated in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in studio, laboratory, and workshop sessions, taking advantage of the University’s, and its partners’, extensive software and hardware provision.
• Professional, personal, and presentational skills are developed through discussion and small-scale project work which involves problem solving and design exercises. These are often tackled through collaborative learning in small groups supported by members of academic staff. Larger–scale project work is used to bring various aspects of your programme together. A particular strength of this programme is the contribution made to the teaching programme by successful practising animation professionals.
• Each 20-credit module on the programme requires students to commit 200 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars, tutorials and workshops – and others will involve students in carrying out private study. The balance between these forms of study changes as students pass through the three years of the programme.
• Basic principles and concepts are addressed in the first year (Stage One) of the studies. In the second year (Stage Two) a more analytical approach is taken, and in the final year (Stage Three) students will have the opportunity to synthesise and critically review the knowledge, understanding, and skills they have gained throughout the programme. They will also have the opportunity to shape elements of their own learning experience, by selecting optional and elective modules, and defining their own project briefs.

Career prospects
Graduates are

• 42 percent Programmers and software development professionals
• 27 percent Graphic and multimedia designers
• 6 percent IT operations technicians
• 4 percent IT user support technicians
• 2 percent Arts officers, producers and directors

Career support

• The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
• Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

• Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally. 
• We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment. 

Our support services include: 

• Personal tutors 
• Disability services 
• Counselling services 
• MyBradford student support centres 
• The Students’ Union 
• Chaplaincy and faith advisers 
• An on-campus nursery 
• Halls wardens 

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus. 

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills. 

Research

• There is a healthy and growing programme of collaborative work with industry, much of it research based.
• This is managed through the dedicated Digital Media Working Academy, which has also generated its own funding and is notable for housing a state-of-the-art motion capture system.