Game Development (Design) MA

This course focuses on the design skills necessary for the field of game development. You will create and develop computer games both alone and as part of a team. 

• Excellent facilities include Sony PlayStation 5 developer kits and software such as Unity Pro, Unreal Engine 5 and Maya. You will also have access to our new Centre for Virtual and Augmented Reality. There is regular input from industry practitioners, particularly through the games inKUbator, and the chance to participate in Game Jams and Hackathons. With a professional presence, portfolio and a range of skills, you will be ready to impress potential employers.
• This course has been developed in consultation with our industry panel, and we are an educational partner of Sony Interactive Entertainment through PlayStation First. We are also an active member of TIGA, the games industry's representative body.
• This course has been designed to use the best digital media expertise and resources from across the University. It will prepare you for employment in the digital media industry, where teams of specialists work together to develop and author innovative digital media projects.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• Kingston University is an active member of The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA) and has been developed in consultation with industry.
• Kingston is an educational partner of Sony Interactive Entertainment through PlayStation First. You will learn to develop games for PlayStation 5.
• You will use first-class facilities, such as gaming PCs, development consoles and VR and AR kit.

Sony PlayStation First

• Kingston University is an educational partner of Sony through PlayStation First. Through this partnership you will have the opportunity to learn how to develop games for the PlayStation 5 as part of this course.

What you will study

• You will design and create computer games, alone and in teams, using industry-standard production management tools and techniques that stimulate a professional environment of collaboration to deliver a product on time. You will also develop vertical-slice prototypes using new technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, and will learn how to present yourself to potential employers through your professional presence and portfolio.
• For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.

Core Modules

• Digital Studio Practice
• Connected Games Development
• Game Design
• Digital Media Final Project

Optional Modules

• Design Thinking Theory and Practice
• Character Animation for Film and Games
• Professional Placement

Please note

• Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Work placement scheme

• Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University enable students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. Although the University supports students in finding a placement and organises events to meet potential employers, the responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. 
• You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

Entry requirements
Typical offer

• A 2:2 or above honours degree in humanities, art and design, multimedia, media production or the academic equivalent.
• All applicants must be able to demonstrate, either through qualifications or portfolio of works a solid understanding of digital media.
• Exceptionally, applicants may have no first degree but more than five years working in the field and/or a portfolio of works. In this case, there must be strong evidence that the applicant has the motivation to complete the course and the ability to work at this level. Experience in digital media or the games industry is particularly valuable.

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

• When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

• As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services. 

Your workload

• A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
• One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
• 17 percent scheduled learning and teaching- The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
• Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.

How you will be assessed
Type of assessment

• Year 1- Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
• Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

Feedback summary

• We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Class sizes

• ­You will be part of an intimate cohort of 20-40 students which provides dedicated academic guidance and advice as well as the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes; you may therefore be taught alongside postgraduates from other courses.