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Games Design at University of Cumbria - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 20262026 - 2027
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This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

University of Cumbria has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Jun
Brampton Road Open Day 7th June 2025
Undergraduate

Course summary

Embark on an exciting journey into the dynamic, ever-evolving multi-billion-pound gaming industry. Here, you'll develop both creative and technical skills to become a successful game artist, prepared to shape the future of video games. Immerse yourself in the art and design of video games as you learn foundational game art principles alongside traditional art techniques. Unleash your creativity, express your ideas through storyboards, and bring them to life in interactive prototypes to craft unique experiences for gamers. You’ll master essential skills in drawing, concept art, modelling, and texturing using industry-standard 3D software and the latest game engine technology—all within our dedicated games design labs, supported by skilled technicians and lecturers. Join a vibrant, creative community where you'll collaborate on joint projects with like-minded peers and expand your network of creative professionals. Course Overview Our BA (Hons) Games Design course is perfect for aspiring game designers eager to make their mark in the multi-billion-pound games sector. Based at our dedicated arts campus, you'll be part of a thriving creative community, collaborating with students across art, animation, and media disciplines. This is a design-focused degree—not a programming course—so your time will be dedicated to the art, storytelling, and creative vision behind games. You’ll learn how to develop concepts, craft storyboards, and bring your ideas to life through 2D and 3D playable prototypes. From drawing and visualisation to 3D modelling, texturing, and concept art, you'll master the essential tools of the trade using industry-standard software and game engines. With 75% of the course delivered through practical learning, you’ll gain real-world experience working on individual and group projects, including a final-year major project and group game production. Modules also explore game theory, the creative economy, professional practice, and audience engagement, giving you a complete understanding of the games design pipeline and industry landscape. You'll graduate with a standout portfolio, ready to launch a successful career in games design or the wider creative industries. On this course you will...

  • Have regular guest lectures with industry professionals.
  • Study game design and development with access to dedicated games design labs and industry-standard software, providing a friendly, collegiate and supportive environment.
  • Learn computer games-specific topics like drawing and concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modelling, texturing, level design, and game theory.
  • Have the opportunity to take trips outside of the lab to gain inspiration and improve creative thinking. In previous years, they have included games expo - EGX and Develop: Brighton.
  • Develop a wide range of transferable digital skills allowing you to take up a number of internships during your studies.
  • Have access to borrow our motion capture software and VR headsets.

Modules

On this programme, you will learn to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences. However, this is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. You will learn all about art and design, developing storyboards and concepts which you will later turn into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D). Year one

  • Cultural Contexts
Intro to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be discussed, examined, and analysed.
  • Collaborative Practice
Explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
  • Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
Develop drawing as a fundamental skill in your practice and acquire the knowledge to understand the purpose of concept art as a tool visualising concepts for games.
  • 3D Modelling
Enhance your knowledge of the professional three-dimensional visualisation for video games and digital media productions.
  • Gaming For Game Designers
Introduction to the basic ideas and models in Game Theory. Year two
  • Understanding the Creative Economy
Contextualise the cultural and economic changes giving rise to the emergence of the creative economy as a leading sector in the UK and global economy.
  • Working in the Creative Economy
Introduce to the professional practices associated with the creative industries by means of a series of guest lectures, presentations, tutorials and workshops.
  • Concept To Prototype
Introduction to real-world scenarios in relation to working, in small groups, in the business world, and on client briefs.
  • Concept Art & Visualisation 2
Explore and develop visualisation techniques appropriate to games design.
  • Texturing
Enhance your knowledge of the professional texturing techniques used in the Games industry. Year three
  • Theory and Research Methods in the Arts
Preparation for successfully undertaking your dissertation project.
  • Dissertation
  • Group Game Project
Develop teamwork and communication skills while you work in small groups on a specified brief to produce a working game.
  • Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
Develop the skills necessary to identify, generate and successfully access opportunities in the workplace and/or in continuing education.
  • Major Project
Develop the skills necessary to enable you to produce work for your final project.

Assessment method

Summative and formative assessments will take place throughout each academic year. You will be continually involved in the assessment of your own work and that of your peers, alongside receiving critical feedback from tutors. A wide range of authentic assessment types will be used to help you develop your academic and work-related skills. Specific examples of this:

  • Module Work Book, bespoke ebooks, containing information, formative tasks, self grading exercises, embedded video clips, etc. to assist in specific modules ILO’s but also to enhance a culture of independent learning.
  • Presentations/Pitching, where you are able to show work to Tutors and Peers in advance of Assignment Submission
- Seminars & Project Surgeries, a series of developmental seminars run where you review and comment on each others work, guided by tutors All of these activities promote learning partnerships between you, your peers and the staff.

How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W282
Institution code:
C99
Campus name:
Carlisle - Brampton Road
Campus code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Fees to be confirmed
Games Design at University of Cumbria - UCAS