Course summary
Take your skills to the next level with MA Game Design. This course provides a mix of industry skills, set within a critical and creative framework. Refine 3D modeling, 2D art and animation skills, along with level design and gameplay coding. Use game and media theory to inform your practical work, and design processes to innovate within the field. Games industry experts will guide you through aspects of game design and development, game theory, and industrial contexts. The course is supported by cutting edge facilities, from the Immersive Media Lab, that incorporates Motion Capture, Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality and Full Dome technologies, to the Make Lab hacking and prototyping space and Digital Fabrication Labs. The course boasts state-of-the art gaming PC suites, as well as a fleet of Apple Macs, running Unity, Unreal, Maya, Subtance Painter and Z Brush, as well Adobe CC. During the Masters you will develop your portfolio, and in the final module, work as a team to produce and ship a fully-fledged game. In a friendly and vibrant setting, you will learn industry-standard software and practices, and have access to the latest hardware, including high-spec gaming PCs and VR headsets. Create living worlds, working individually and teaming-up with other students. Game, Development, Design, Art, Programming, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, Gamification, Ludology, Play, Interaction
Modules
SEMESTER 1: PROCESS, PRACTICE AND THEORY The first stage is concerned with developing core skills, analyzing and sharing prior game design methodologies and exploring technologies, whilst grounding these practical and creative perspectives within critical and theoretical perspectives. A range of professional practice lectures are delivered to help prepare students for their commercial practice. SEMESTER 2: CREATIVE | INDUSTRY The second stage gives students the opportunities to conduct research and refine skills within a chosen area—such as 2D Design, 3D Modelling, Technical Artistry, Coding, Sound, Storytelling, Character and Environment Design—to develop a distinctive practice and build a portfolio around this. Alongside this, and new avenues for creative practice in Games. Alongside such activity, students research, analyse and critique the games industry and creative industry more widely; as well as engage in development of their professional profile. Competitions, live briefs and collaboration with local, national and international agencies are also a feature. A range of lectures are delivered to help prepare students for their commercial practice and to consider the ethical and theoretical aspects of their chosen industry. SEMESTER 3: CONSOLIDATION / SYNTHESIS The third and final stage sees students embark upon a major project, in which a game is development through to completion and marketing. Working in the format of prototype businesses this stage incorporates market research, business models, agile methodologies, industry workflows. The end product is a product pitch that either includes a working prototype or linear previsualisation of how the game would look or work. This stage may include live briefs and competitions, to consolidate their learning and establish their personal practice within the breadth of Game Design contexts.
Assessment method
100% coursework
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. You can apply for one of our postgraduate courses directly using our online application form. For details on how to apply, and to access the online application form, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/international-students-postgraduate-applications. Once you have applied, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A minimum £2,000 tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Entry requirements
2:1 Degree in a Game Arts & Design, or Digital Media Design related field is desirable. A lower degree may be considered by interview. Graduates from other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis. International applicants must meet the University’s language requirements. The minimum IELTS score for entry is an average of 6.5 overall, and 5.5 on all individual elements.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | With 5.5 in all elements. |
Full details of English Language requirements can be found on our website.
English Language Requirements
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees
* Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Provider information
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA