University of Central Lancashire
Quick Links
From the start you will be designing and developing games. You are actively encouraged to 'play', to question the nature of games/computer games and express the ideas you formulate through your personal project work. As your skills develop you will undertake live projects linked to games developers. The course provides a strong visual and creative base, supported by digital modelling, set within a professional framework for the development of games concepts. The course provides you with the necessary skills to operate as a games designer and give you the creative freedom to develop your own ideas. Note: BA(Hons) Games Design covers the conceptual, visual and digital development of games.
Award Type:
BA(Hons)
Ancillary:
Level:
Undergraduate
Study mode:
Full Time
Delivery Method:
Standard
Course Length:
Full time:
3 years
No.of modules:
UCAS Code:
WG24
School:
School of Art, Design and Performance
Campus:
Preston,
Partner Colleges:
Year of Entry:
2012
Start Month:
September
240-300 points at A2 plus interview with portfolio.
In year one the course introduces students to idea generation and development, concept visualisation and basic modelling and digital
visualisation.
In the second year your project work is developed in a commercial fashion which supports your professional practice. These activities are complemented by a major focus on digital modelling for the games design industry.
The final year brings all the aspects of the course together through three projects which demonstrate your design ability, personal specialisation and creative ability.
Please Note:
BA(Hons) Games Design is most suited to those individuals wishing to become involved in visualising, games design, conceptual design, animation and digital modelling of games within the games industry. This is an innovative course dealing with the creation development and implementation of games concepts. The course introduces students to the creative and technical disciplines required to become a Games Designer.
Students are encouraged to question the nature of current games and propose radical new concepts. They are introduced to a broad creative approach to games and the professional processes needed to improve their proposals.
Student study is led through a series of games design projects. Some are individual, some are collaborative and some are live briefs set by industry. These projects allow the student to explore every aspect of games design and develop their own personal practice. Complementary to the project work are a series of lectures and demonstrations designed to develop and enable the necessary skills a graduate will need to become a successful games designer.
The course team have a wide variety of skills and are highly experienced in developing an individual's visualising, creative thinking, digital modelling and games development skills. We have a broad and recent experience of the games development industry across all platforms with major titles. The team is also supported by visiting lecturers from games development companies and other relevant professionals.
Graduates from the course are able to display a rich portfolio of work that will showcase their skills. Core aspects of graduate work are visualisation, digital modelling and a solid foundation in game design and documentation. These skills and others developed on the course are those most commonly identified by the games development industry as key talents in modern Games Designers.
Introduction to Games Design
Creative Thinking
Historical Contextual Studies
Drawing for Games
Games organisation
3D Modelling
Contemporary Contextual Studies
Plus one elective module
Honours Project
Games Proposal
Contextual Studies
Design Futures
The course work is continually assessed through the project work. There are some specific assignments relating to skill areas. There are no exams.
The course is delivered through a structured series of games development projects supported by lectures concerning game theory, visualisation techniques, digital modelling, and professional practice.
The main teaching activity takes the form of project briefs in a studio environment. These are supported by lectures and workshops which develop specific skills. Lectures are further supported by a programme of visiting lecturers and industry professionals.
The course has an intrinsic flexibility to cover a wide range of aspirations as you develop your skills. On completion of the course you will be skilled in such roles as Games Designer, Level Design, Environment Design, Conceptual Artist, Texture Artist, Animator or Digital Modeller.
The Northern School of Design also offer an MA Games Design programme, together with a range of other postgraduate courses.
If you're considering studying Games Design and want to know what our current students think about the course, visit the Games Design blog or view students talking about projects they've been involved in that enhance their employability skills and credentials. You can also take a look at some photos of students studying on the course.
The course offers the flexibility to cover a wide range of aspirations as you develop your skills. On completion of the course you will be skilled in such industry-specific roles as Games Designer, Level Design, Environment Design, Conceptual Artist, Texture Artist, Animator or Digital Modeller. Graduates in this course are also well suited to starting their own games design businesses, or diversifying into design for film, TV or theatre, furniture and lighting design or product design. Alternative career directions can lead to teaching.
As is the case with all unergraduate courses at UCLan, every student on this course will have the opportunity for a structured work experience opportunity, which may include a work placement, an internship, a live business project and many other opportunities. Opportunities include placements at Traveller's Tales, the UK's leading developer; at the live mobile gaming company, Black Bull Studios; and at NC Soft. As our students get to work on live projects with companies, many are able to get on the credits for commercially sold games - a real boost to their CVs as they move into the jobs market.
We have an established talent train feeding Traveller's Tales, the UK's leading developer, with games designers. The reputation of the course and the skills that students learn on it have enabled recent graduates to gain excellent jobs in the industry at companies including Warner Brothers Interactrive Entertainment, Studio Australia, Stainless Games, Evolution Studios, Ninja Theory and Eurocom, to name just a few.
Students on this course will have the opportunity for an international experience, whether that be an overseas placement, a chance to study abroad as part of the course or an opportunity for an overseas study visit. The skills you'll learn on the course are transferable to jobs across the world, and our graduates have been employed in roles in America, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.
When it comes to a course in games design, it's important to understand the course structure and that it leads to the kind of jobs our students want. But it's also helpful for prospective students to get to see the kind of work they'll get to produce on the course by looking at what our current crop of students are working on. That's the exciting stuff that really brings the course to life!
Find out more about the Advantage that studying at UCLan can give you in your future career.
We invite you to explore an exciting showcase of creative work by our students.
If you are interested in applying for this course, our comprehensive How to Apply pages will guide you through the process. Here at UCLan, our aim is to encourage you to develop your potential and we offer a flexible approach to admissions, which reflects our commitment to all those who would benefit from our courses.
UCAS Code: WG24
Short form of course:
BA/Gdes
Institution code name: CLANC
Institution code: C30
Campus Site: U
University of Central Lancashire
Preston PR1 2HE, Lancashire, United Kingdom
The standard fee for this course will be: £9,000 per year
For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.
There is a wide range of high quality student accommodation to students, close to the UCLan Preston campus.
UCLan offers a comprehensive range of support services to our students, ranging from study support through WISER, the student information centre, the ‘i’, and the UCLan Students’ Union, and support for international students. In addition, there are local support services within certain academic schools.
In addition, Flying Start is a great free service on offer to new students before they begin their studies to help prepare them for student life at UCLan.
The University is concerned to provide an educational experience of the highest quality for students with disabilities/learning difficulties. We strongly recommend you contact us before applying to find out if we can offer you the support you need. We are always pleased to hear from those enquiring about or applying to the University. Tel: 01772 892593 (telephone/text phone) for advice.
We welcome applications from international students for full-time study and the application procedure previously described should be used. Forms and literature on studying in the United Kingdom are available from the British Council offices or British Embassies throughout the world. You can also find lots of information about living and studying in the UK on the British Council's website www.educationuk.org
Find out more about the UCLan Students’ Union.
Find out more information about studying at UCLan.
Preston is a student-friendly, lively city in the heart of North West England, close to Manchester and Liverpool, and with London just over two hours away by train. Find out more about the city.
Course Enquiries
University of Central Lancashire
Preston
PR1 2HE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk
You are welcome to see the University and all it has to offer at one of our Open Days which run throughout the year. However, if you would like to visit the University independently, you are welcome to join one of our regular Campus Tours. For more information about both, ask for Advancement Services on 01772 201201 or book online at www.uclan.ac.uk/opendays/.
Alternatively, if you receive an offer of a place you will be invited to visit the university on a day structured more to your individual school and course, called an Applicant Day. More information about these will be sent to you upon acceptance of an offer.
Last updated: 08:52 13/04/2012
Author: Dominic Hurst
Staff Login
Student Lobby
