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Game Design and Development (with placement year) at University of Bradford - UCAS

Course options

2023 - 20242024 - 2025
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University of Bradford has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

What does this TEF outcome mean?

Course summary

Part of Screen Yorkshire’s Connected Campus group, our four-year Games Design and Development degree programme has been carefully designed to meet the demands of the contemporary gaming industry. 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. 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. Placement The course is underpinned by the opportunity to undertake a placement year giving you the opportunity to gain real experience and professional training within your degree in order to kick-start your career. After completing your placement you’ll return to complete the final year of the programme, and apply all you’ve learnt to studies. Many students continue their relationship with their placement employers - working for them part-time, developing final year projects with them or going back to them into graduate positions.

Modules

Year 1: 3D Character Modelling and Animation (core) Creative Industries — Foundations (core) Creativity and Imagination (core) History and Conventions of Computer Games (core) Introduction to 3D Computer Animation (core) Introduction to Computer Programming for Games (core) Year 2: Game Appreciation and Industry Analysis (core) Game Design Programming & Development (core) Indie Games: Concept, Design and Development (core) Issues in Web Development and Technology (core) Script Programming and Technical Animation (core) Environment, Set and Prop Creation (option) Motion Capture (option) Multimedia Application Development (option) Year 3: Placement Year Year 4: Design For Industry (core) Individual Project (core) Professional Industry Profile (core) AI for Games (option) Effects Animation and Dynamics for VFX (option) Motion Capture (option)

Assessment method

Most modules use a mixture of formal lectures, practical lab sessions, tutorials and seminars. Some modules involve supervised group work, usually with an assigned academic staff member for each group. All modules require students to undertake independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as our Virtual Learning Environment. Reading lists and suggested resources for independent study provide further direction for students to undertake this work, and regular contact hours and informal feedback throughout the courses provide opportunities for further guidance for learners. Assessments for modules mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab tests and written exams, with all forms being well represented throughout all years of the course across all modules.

How to apply

25Jan

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:
I622
Institution code:
B56
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

The University welcomes applications from students with a wide range of qualifications from the UK and overseas, including combinations of qualifications. To check whether your qualifications meet the entry requirements for this course, please contact the University. English language requirements for International and EU applicants: The standard University requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.0 (or equivalent). However, if you require a Tier 4 (student) visa to study you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department's requirement which is currently IELTS 6.0 with no sub-test less than 5.5. Conditional offers to international students will be made on this basis.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
75%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Scotland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
Channel Islands £9250* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250* Year 1
EU £21124* Year 1
International £21124* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Game Design and Development (with placement year) at University of Bradford - UCAS