Skip navigation
Search
Search
Computer Games: Art and Design at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 2025
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This MA is tailored for people who want to start a career in the game industry. One of the only programmes in the UK taught by actual game developers, it will teach you game design, art & animation, and game programming, and has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and business. As a fast-growing 150-billion-dollar business, the game industry offers countless professional opportunities. The MA Computer Games: Art & Design is right for you if you want to make game development a sustainable career and to work in this creative and rewarding industry. This is also one of the only programmes taught by actual game developers, designers, and artists with years of experience in the game industry. Why Study MA Computer Games: Art & Design at Goldsmiths

  • Learn to design and develop games using state of the art tools and game engines from actual game developer and industry veterans
  • Focus on which skills you want to learn, through a selection of option modules you can choose from
  • Collaborate with colleagues from other courses, including the MSc Computer Games Programming and the MA Games and Playful Design
  • Build your portfolio through practical coursework
  • Access state of the art game labs and facilities
  • Get your first internship in the game industry (or work on a research project instead)
  • Take part in the many events and game jams we organise every year, and be part of the creative and diverse environment that surrounds Goldsmiths
  • Access the strong UK community of publishers and creators with innovative voices creating ground-breaking titles
Who should apply The MA Computer Games is the perfect fit for anyone who is – or wants to be – in one of the following positions:
  • People who want to find a job in the game and entertainment industries
  • Game designers who want to learn how to code to bring their ideas to life
  • 3D Artists, riggers, and animators who want to master state-of-the-art modelling software
  • Character artists and concept artists and who want to create assets for games
  • Game developers who want to improve their programming skills
  • Creative folks who want to use interactive technologies for their projects
There are no technical prerequisites for the MA, as the course will cover the basics of modelling, animation, and programming in the first week. However, a creative background is strongly recommended, and any experience with 3D modelling software or game engines is very welcome. Internship & Research Pathways There are two pathways available to all students in the MA Computer Games: Internship and Research. Students on the Internship pathway are required to take part in an industry placement during the Summer Term. This is the perfect option if you want to use this opportunity to kickstart your career in the Game Industry. Students on the Research pathway will work on a final project instead. This is recommended if you want to pursue an academic career, or if you want to deepen your knowledge in a specific area. The pathway must be chosen at the moment of your enrolment, but might be changed on a case-by-case basis. MSc Computer Games Programming If you are more interested in developing game-related technical skills such as advanced programming, mathematics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and shader coding, you may want to read about our MSc Computer Games Programming. You will be working alongside the MSc students, and if you are unsure which programme is for you, you may be able to switch between them in the first two weeks of the course.

Modules

Compulsory modules You'll complete the following compulsory modules: Modelling and Animation 1 15 credits Modelling and Animation 2 15 credits Game Design and Analytics 15 credits You'll also choose between the two following modules. Students with no previous experience of programming are advised to choose Visual Games Development. Students who already have experience with programming are advised to take Games Programming 1: Games Programming 1 15 credits or Visual Game Development 15 credits Internship and Research pathways Students on the Internship pathway are required to take part in an industry placement during the Summer Term. Students on the Research pathway will work on a final project instead. Optional modules You'll then take 60 credits of optional modules from a list provided annually by the department. As part of these options, you'll have the opportunity to take a work placement by choosing the module Games Business and Practice in your first term. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Assessment method

Every module is assessed via coursework only

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject, such as Game Design/Development, Art, Design, 3D Modelling, Animation or Computer Science. You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. A portfolio of relevant work (such as digital games, programming samples, art-based/sketchbook, games assets, design documents, ...) is required for your application. This could take whichever form works best to showcase your work, although a PDF or a video is strongly encouraged. In some instances, we may ask to see more of your work or to conduct a short interview. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 overall and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

Unless otherwise stated the annual fee for part-time students is half the full time fee quoted.
Computer Games: Art and Design at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS