15Jun
UndergraduateUniversity of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
Explore our specialist arts campus: One of only a few specialist art schools in the Russell Group, you’ll be inspired to create in our purpose built studios and workshops and learn with expert creative practitioners at Winchester School of Art (WSA), part our University of Southampton community and just one hour from London. You’ll have industry exposure through guest lectures, work on live briefs with companies, explore work placements and internships where graduates have gone on to set up their own design labels or work at prestigious brands across the globe including Selfridges, Saatchi & Saatchi, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, ASOS, Nike and Apple. You’ll be prepared for a wide range of creative careers where 93% of Arts graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/2021, published in 2023). Study BA Games Design and Art: If you want to make unique new games and take your ambitious ideas into emerging games markets, platforms and spaces, this is the programme for you. You’ll cover design, illustration, character creation, animation and storytelling, as well as coding and digital production. Unlike many games design courses, BA Games Design and Art is based in an art school rather than a computer science department, allowing you to work creatively while gaining essential technical skills. You’ll explore the full spectrum of gaming, from screen-based (video) games to board games and escape rooms. You’ll also cover the emerging fields of purposeful games and serious games, and explore how games can be designed to have social impact and cultural significance. You’ll work in your own studios on campus as part of a vibrant, creative environment designed to mirror the collaborative practices of games companies and the creative industries. Working closely with your peers in a close-knit class, you’ll collaborate, inspire one another and explore concepts you are passionate about. As part of your degree you’ll be able to visit innovative games studios and conferences, and pitch your ideas and prototypes to industry. You can also choose to spend a year in employment or study abroad for a year.
Modules
You will study a variety of topics that cover the fundamental aspects of Games Design and you will have the opportunity to tailor your course to your interests by choosing some of your modules. Some of the modules you may study include Critical, Cultural and Contextual Studies; Game Changers; Iterate and Prototype; Business Planning for Games; Playful Thinking. For further module information visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/games-design-and-art-degree-ba#modules
Assessment method
The course is mainly studio-based, with an emphasis on hands-on collaborative project work. In addition you’ll learn through practical workshops, lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials. Guest lectures and visits to games design studios will give you additional insights into industry issues, while visits to museums such as the Design Museum in London offer new perspectives on design thinking. Regular feedback from your tutors and peers will help you to keep your studies on track. Digital learning tools are embedded into the course; for example we use online collaboration platforms, polling software and instant message systems to work collaboratively and feedback, we capture videos of seminars and workshops to support learning. You’ll also create your own web-based portfolio. You’ll be assessed on your coursework, which will include portfolios showing evidence of the development of your studio work and final project, and written assignments such as reflective and journalistic pieces.
How to apply
31Jan
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:
- 1L6F
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Winchester School of Art
- Campus code:
- W
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - B
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M2, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
In addition to those qualifications listed, we also accept a pass in an Art & Design foundation programme. We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard. The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements. For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at [email protected]
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
Applicants who are based outside the UK and whose academic qualifications meet (or are on track to meet) our entry requirements will be required to send us a portfolio of their work. Portfolios will be requested by email after an application has been reviewed. Portfolio guidance sheets can be found at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsa/undergraduate/apply.page
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £22300 | Year 1 |
| EU | £22300 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ