Futureworks has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Working in the games industry is exciting and rewarding. Futureworks has developed a Games Design degree which produces graduates with a wide skill set, making them valuable as employees of either large game developers, or smaller independent game studios – or even as talented and in-demand freelancers. This course will prepare you for a life in the games industry. We examine the principles and theory of game design, world building, level design and gameplay; while providing hands on technical skills working with an industry-standard game engine. As an Unreal Engine Academic Partner (2025 Silver status), our students are engaged both technically and creatively. We take pride that our graduates go on to working with some of the most successful games developers in the UK such as Supermassive Games, Sumo Digital, Rockstar, Rebellion Games, Ubisoft, d3t, Codemasters, Lucid Games, Team17, and Cloud Imperium Games to name a few. • Games design • Game theory • Level design • Unreal Engine • Blueprinting • Narrative structure • 3D modelling for props and environments • Portfolio development • Creative project briefs • Game Jams • History and context of games • Mechanics • PBR Texturing and Material Creation • Year 1 You will explore 3D modelling, game design principles, narrative structure, game history, Unreal Engine and other digital tools. The year is designed to give you a foundational understanding of the skills needed as a games designer. • Year 2 You will expand your skills and confidence on game design process, including industry standard documentation and advanced 3D modelling and games engine work. Working on assignment briefs, you will be able to experiment with skills and specialisms across a range of projects. • Year 3 Your skills will continue to develop in your third year as you work on two major projects. Your Game proposal will showcase your ability as a game designer, and your honours project will become the centrepiece of your portfolio and should reflect the area of game design you aim to specialise in professionally.
Modules
Module information to follow
Assessment method
We want to do everything we can to prepare you for working within the creative industries, and this is reflected in the way we teach and assess you. The course is mostly coursework based, which means your tutors will be able to give you constant, constructive feedback. Presentation techniques will give you valuable experience of how to present your thoughts and ideas successfully and enthusiastically, so you are better at selling your ideas to prospective employers. The written work is an important part of assessment and will improve your communication skills. A combination of lectures, tutorials, peer reviews, discussions and observations will ensure that you’re industry ready. External trips will present you with a wider range of topics and the opportunity to expand your portfolio, whilst guest speakers will help you to understand the world of games, how it works and how you can make your mark on it. The written work is an important part of assessment and will improve your communication skills. A combination of lectures, tutorials, peer reviews, discussions and observations will ensure that you’re industry ready. External trips will present you with a wider range of topics and the opportunity to expand your portfolio, whilst guest speakers will help you to understand the world of games, how it works and how you can make your mark on it.
How to apply
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:
- WG24
- Institution code:
- F98
- Campus name:
- Futureworks (Manchester)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
We are able to accept applications from students requiring a Student visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://futureworks.ac.uk/study/school-of-art-and-design/ba-hons-games-design/admissions/
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Interviewer - Anna Whitehead (Programme Leader) If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in art, design, and video games. You are welcome to bring any relevant examples of work with you, if you have them.
Portfolio
You will need to provide a digital portfolio. This could be a link to a website or a PDF document with images of your work. Personal projects are also of interest. You might send through some art/modelling, gameplay gifs, or links to gameplay videos. Any supporting documents such as assignments, research, or modelling inspirations will also be helpful. It's not essential that you've studied games/software already, but if you have had the opportunity, then we'd love to see your work. If you haven't had an opportunity to study game design, then an example of your current school/college work will be ok.
English language requirements
GCSE level 4 & above or equivalent
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 | £9535 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17000 | Year 1 |
| International | £17000 | Year 1 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Futureworks
Riverside
New Bailey Street
Manchester
M3 5FS