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MA

Games Design

Duration
1 Year
Start
September 2024
Delivery
Campus Taught

Our MA Games Design (with optional Professional Placement) course has been designed with industry in mind. It will give you the opportunity to specialise in an area of Games Design, even if your specialism is to be a one-person team and do it all.

Why study with us

  • You will develop a portfolio that will give you the advantage in an ever-competitive sector or the ability to become independent developers.
  • The University is an official academic partner of the Unreal Engine team.
  • You can get involved in our annual cJAM employability event, where you’ll pitch your ideas to industry professionals who are offering work placement opportunities.
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Degree Show 2023

Discover the award-winning creative work produced by our postgraduate Games Design students. The degree show features work in a range of mediums by students from the School of Arts & Media.

Access the Degree Show
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Charlie Critchley's work in the 2020 Degree Show
Charlie Critchley's work in the 2020 Degree Show

What you’ll do

  • Level Design, Concept Art, Board Games, 3D Modelling, Narrative, Game Mechanics, VFX, User Interface and more – What you specialise in is up to you.
  • You are encouraged to operate in a specialist area of Games Design and given the creative freedom and necessary skills to develop your own ideas.
  • We have an established visiting Industry Speaker programme which includes Lead Designers, 3D Artists, QA, Production and Technical Artists from AAA and independent game development studios.

Module overview

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Year 1

Compulsory modules
  • DE4401: Research Methodologies
  • DE4402: Research in Context
  • DE4403: Reflective Practice
  • DE4404: Experimental Practice
  • DE4405: Specialist Practice
  • XB4406: Games Design Advanced Practice

DE4401: Research Methodologies

In this module, you'll develop your knowledge and application of theory to underpin practical investigations. Expand your research skills by conducting a review of relevant literature and in contextual reflection for developing and positioning your own practice.

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals, take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

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Academic expertise

Josh Taylor
Senior Lecturer
School of Arts and Media

Josh has over ten years’ experience in the Games Industry working mainly as a Lead Art/Art Director and has experience in concept art, 2D art, modelling, animation and user interface design. He was most notably the Lead Artist on ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’. He main...

Industry Links

  • The course is part of the Unreal Academic Partner Program. Which recognises UCLan’s provision of experienced staff and high-quality resources. As well as our commitment to excellent student experience in preparation for their future careers.

Future careers

Our Games Design graduates have gone onto a variety of highly successful games companies, for example Warner Brothers, Ninja Theory, Rare, Naughty Dog and Riot Games. Our Graduates have also gone on to create their own development studios such as White Paper Games.

Fees and funding

2023/24
UK
Full-time£8,400 per year
Sandwich year£2,000 for the sandwich year
Part-time£933 per 20 credits
International
Full-time£15,500 per year
2024/25
UK
Full-time£9,000 per year
Sandwich year£2,500 for the sandwich year
Part-time£1,000 per 20 credits
International
Full-time£16,900 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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This course is based in the School of Arts and Media

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page