Undergraduate

Game Design

A student wearing a VR headset on a green screen
A student stood beside a large monitor at Games Republic's Student Showcase.
Students working on Mac computers in a lab
A lecturer speaks to students working at a computer

Look around

You’ll get creative working with cutting-edge equipment such as Virtuix Omni VR Treadmill and Viper – one of the highest-spec computers in England.
Compete with other students at Games Republic's annual Student Showcase.
Develop your skills in areas such as narrative design and game art and audio in our fully fitted Mac and PC labs, complete with the latest industry-standard software and hardware.
You’ll benefit from our links to industry giants like Microsoft and Epic Games and be taught by experts who’ve worked on BAFTA-winning games.
Our Brynmor Jones Library is a superb learning space with more than a million books, over 400 open-access PCs and a range of study spaces.
Create a professional portfolio throughout your degree so you can demonstrate your creative flair and technical skills to potential employers.
A student wearing a VR headset on a green screen
A student stood beside a large monitor at Games Republic's Student Showcase.
Students working on Mac computers in a lab
A lecturer speaks to students working at a computer
Brynmor Jones Library Observation Deck
Game, Graphic, Media & Film - Game Design

Code

Duration

Mode

  • Standard course
  • With a foundation year
  • With a placement year
  • September 2024

Typical offer

What does this mean?

Learn from experts who've worked on BAFTA-winning games and led projects across Europe.

Spend a year in industry getting real-world experience with organisations from small studios to multinationals. And create a professional-standard portfolio to showcase your abilities to potential employers.

We combine hands-on skill with thought-provoking theory to prepare you for a career in this exciting industry and beyond. You’ll gain the essential skills required by the games business, as well as transferrable skills that are in demand across the creative industries.

  • 11th in the UK

    for Teaching Satisfaction 1

  • Top 15 in the UK

    for Feedback Satisfaction 1

  • Cutting-edge tech

    like our Virtuix Omni VR treadmill

  • Boost your CV

    with a placement year in industry

  • Industry-standard

    software and hardware

Swipe
Course overview
Module options

About this course

Explore the world of games development and harness your talent across areas such as game design, game art, game audio and narrative design.

You’ll build your skills learning in industry-standard facilities including a virtual reality lounge with a Virtuix Omni VR treadmill, plus fully fitted PC and Mac design labs with the latest digital media software. As well as technical skills, you’ll develop vital knowledge in leadership and professional practice while working in a studio environment.

Our close links to game companies and industry networks gives you invaluable opportunities such as study trips, visits from guest speakers and game jams.

You could take part in Game Republic’s annual Student Showcase, competing with other students in the region, and presenting your final-year game design projects to potential employers. And gain real-world exposure work on virtual reality, augmented reality, or mixed reality projects in the public or private sector on a year in industry.

Scheduled study hours and how you’re assessed

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time is divided across the year varies and depends on the module you are studying.

How you'll be assessed depends on the course you study, and the modules you choose. You may be assessed through a mix of examinations, coursework, presentations and group projects.

Choose your modules

Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.

Preparing for Learning in Higher Education

This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.

Core•20 credits

Introduction to Study in the Humanities

This module equips you with a suite of analytical and theoretical tools to support you as you progress along your academic journey. You'll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of approaches to study in the humanities by working with a variety of resources, including novels, films and aspects of the visual arts.

Core•20 credits

Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Education

This module will equip you with the necessary skills to conduct and analyse research in a specific interest, supported by academics within your subject. You'll navigate through the research process, from identifying an area of interest to presenting their findings to your peers.

Core•20 credits

Group Challenge (Humanities)

Formulate and execute a group led enquiry into texts, cultural artifacts, film, music or dance. You'll explore their topics in groups at supervised workshops and develop questions on the cultural object relates to the living world of human experience, as well as developing your own methods to answer these questions.

Compulsory•20 credits

Foundation in Data Analysis

Develop a strong foundation in data collection and analysis. This module will introduce you to qualitative and quantitative data and how to analyse it; the collection of primary and secondary data; the production of high quality graphics; and report writing.

Compulsory•20 credits

Academic Writing Skills

Developing confidence in expression, oral as well as written, is a key feature of this module, which also aims to familiarise you with submission and assessment procedures in the context of Higher Education. This is a clear building block onto your degree programme and places you at a distinct advantage when you move into the following year.

Compulsory•20 credits

Students who require Foundation Year study will register on the Media Studies with Foundation Year programme.

Upon successful completion with a score of 50% or above you will progress directly onto the Digital Design programme of your choice. The foundation year has been designed to prepare you for entry on the degree.
6 Modules

Game Design & Prototyping

You probably have a number of ideas for games you’d like to make. It’s time you started making them. You will develop your own game concepts by applying game design theories and principles and bring your ideas to life by learning to prototype them within a game engine. This module will build on your scripting skills from the ground up through small simple game prototypes, providing you with the skills to create your first finished game project.

Compulsory•20 credits

Art and Animation Fundamentals

Any game you work on is going to need artwork. This module will teach you the fundamentals of visual design in order to make suitable and compelling artwork for your games. You’ll explore traditional and digital art techniques and apply artistic concepts such as composition, line and shape, colour theory, texture, typography etc. This module will allow you to develop an ongoing digital sketchbook as you experiment with line drawing, perspective drawing, thumbnail sketching, silhouettes, character concepts, environment concepts, graphic design as well as digital tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator and 3D art packages.

Compulsory•20 credits

Introduction to Game Audio

The creation and implementation of effective audio is central to game design –supporting dramatic story-telling, immersion, interactivity, game mechanics, as well as emotional and physiological engagement. In this module you will explore some of the creative and technical challenges faced when designing and implementing game audio. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this module will help you to use audio more effectively in your own game projects and will inform future collaborative work with audio practitioners and interdisciplinary creative teams.

Compulsory•20 credits

3D Asset Design

This module is an introduction to the principles and practice of 3D Design. You will develop your creative thinking and problem solving skills; learn the basics of modelling, textures, 3D painting and rendering; and design your own 3D assets and portfolio.

Compulsory•20 credits

Environment Design

This module will introduce the ideas, techniques and working practices to realise complete game ready video game environments. By creating your own game environment, you will explore game engines from an art perspective, how to create game ready assets, learn about lighting principles, texturing, 3D, and develop an understanding f environment art pipelines as well as enhancing your creative thinking skills and problem solving abilities. At the end of the project you will have a piece of work that you can display in your portfolio which will help you on your journey into the gaming industry

Compulsory•20 credits

Critical Game Studies

In order to create innovative and original game experiences, it’s important to understand where games came from and the current landscape of the games industry. In this module you will explore the historical, social and political contexts of games, play and design. We’ll look at how to analyse games, how games get made, the people that make them and games from a consumer perspective. The module will perform analysis on video games and its industry including topics such as gender, representation, misogyny in video games, Law, ethics, regulation and censorship. will consider sustainable game development practices and generate original concepts for game designs that could “change the world”.

Compulsory•20 credits
6 Modules

Post-Production & VFX

This module is designed to introduce the ideas, techniques and working practices to create particle and visual FX for video games. You will explore how to create VFX for environments, animations and gameplay scenarios as well as developing creative thinking skills important for artists who want to break into the gaming industry.

Compulsory•20 credits

Collaborative Game Project

Choose your own specialism and work with other students from various disciplines as you work together to develop a complete game project. The module presents the opportunity to learn from one another, to develop new skills and apply fresh approaches. Practice important skills such as team work, project management and communication as you work collaboratively to produce a high quality game project that can be used as a portfolio piece upon graduation.

Compulsory•40 credits

Level Design

Excessive guidance markers, compasses and mini maps can often feel contrived in video games. A well designed level should be able to guide the player using the landscape and the game environment. Find out how you can do this in your own games as we explore principles and theories of level design and put them into practice by making a 3D version of an imagined game world. In this module you will look at generating suitable level designs and prototyping them in a level blockout. We will explore building 3D environments using geometry and terrain and adding interaction through scripting game logic to enhance the players journey.

Optional•20 credits

3D Character Design

This module provides you with the platform to design your own original 3D Character. You'll explore the different attributes that make an effective character and translate your visual research into a 3D character using organic modelling techniques within a contemporary digital sculpting tool.

Optional•20 credits

Practical Skills for UI/UX

Learn how to create appropriate and professional User Interfaces for games and develop considerations for the user experience.

Optional•20 credits

Scriptwriting for Game Stories

Love the idea of narrative design for games, but not sure where to start? Learn about characterisation, dialogue, structure and adaptation. Develop your skills in giving and receiving feedback on creative work. Learn how to work effectively in a group. Sharing work, encouraging other writers and being encouraged by others to be the best scriptwriter you can be.

Optional•20 credits

Rapid Prototype Design

Make a game a week. That’s the essential premise of this module. You will be provided with different themes on a weekly basis and challenged to produce a working game prototype as efficiently as possible, aiming for strict deadlines. By the end of the module you will have accrued a portfolio of functional game prototypes for inclusion in a game design portfolio as well as a library of scripts, sounds, images and other assets that can be reused in future game design prototypes.

Optional•20 credits

3D Character Animation

In this module you will apply the principle of animation and translate your original 3D character design into a series of animated action sequences. You will learn a range of production steps required to design believable realistic animated movement with your character.

Optional•20 credits

Music and Sound for Media

This practical project-based module supports the development of specialised creative and technical skills involved in the production of sound and music for visual media. You can undertake a variety of projects, including films, games, music videos, interactive installations, and performances with visual projection. As projects are developed, general principles relating to the interaction of sight and sound will be explored, such as functionality, audio-visual correspondence and implementation.

Optional•20 credits
9 Modules

Major Project

You will have the opportunity to focus on a specific interest in order to produce a substantial practical design projector prototype. You should aspire to the highest academic and professional standards as this module can act as a gateway toward employment or further study leading to an advanced degree.

Compulsory•40 credits

Emerging Technologies

The Emerging Technologies module will allow you to explore new design trends that have developed while you have been studying for your degree. You will work with students from other School of Arts degree programmes to develop original applications of these ideas and technologies.

Compulsory•40 credits

Professional Portfolio Design

In this module, you will have the opportunity to refine and develop the portfolio begun at the commencement of your degree into a resource optimised for your preferred role or roles in the creative industries.

Compulsory•40 credits
3 Modules

Your placement is your opportunity to get some real-world work experience under your belt.

Just like in the real world, you’ll be responsible for finding and applying for opportunities, with the added benefit of help and support from university services such as the Careers and Employability service based in Student Central.

Students on placement have a dedicated Academic Support Tutor. Your tutor will talk you through potential placement opportunities, help with applications and support you during the year.

Placements can be with multinational organisations employing large teams of design staff (such as Sky or the BBC), through to small to medium enterprises around the UK and beyond. We also work closely with the Centre for Digital Innovation, a £15-million investment in Hull's digital industry. Placements may be possible in this organisation, providing you with opportunities to gain valuable relevant experience in the local area.

Playlist

Stuart Lilford

Course Overview 2 mins

Game Design in 60s

Course Overview 1 min

Student Showreel 2023

Course highlight 3 mins

Game Republic Showcase

Course highlight 2 mins

Entry requirements

What do I need?

When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need…

Use UCAS's calculator to work out your estimated points

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.

What do I need?

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our academics

Study under experts who’ve worked on BAFTA-winning games and titles for names like Disney and Lucasfilm.

You’ll be taught by enthusiastic, expert staff who are fans of their field as much as they are academics. Our lecturers have a diverse range of industry experience, including digital media and game design.

See more academics for this subject
Stuart Lilford
Featured academic

Stuart Lilford

Stuart began his career in the games industry before moving into teaching. He worked on three BAFTA-winning games and at prestigious companies such as Rare and Codemasters. He develops games independently, including the award-winning Time Stone.
Dr James McLean
Featured academic

James McLean

James teaches media production, his industry experience has included working on video game productions for Disney, BBC, and Lucasfilm franchise

Take a look at our facilities

Virtual Reality Lounge

Our fully immersive virtual reality lounge with Virtuix Omni VR treadmill means you can walk inside the virtual worlds you create.

Media Hub

Create graphics, illustrations, 2D and 3D characters and worlds, animations, games and videos in our media labs which include fully fitted design labs and studios with industry-standard hardware.

Latest Digital Media Software

Learn professional skills in 3D and apply these using software such as Autodesk Maya. You'll have access to the Adobe collection for the creation of 2D graphic designs and multimedia pieces.

Supercomputing

You can access to Viper – the highest-spec computer at any university in the North of England – for lightning fast, high-quality 3D rendering.

See more in our virtual tour
VR studio in the Media Hub
Media Lab
Game, Graphic, Media & Film - Game Design
Viper supercomputer
VR studio in the Media Hub
Media Lab
Game, Graphic, Media & Film - Game Design
Viper supercomputer
A student works at a PC in our Digital Design PC Lab

Future prospects

You’ll graduate ready for a career in the exciting games industry as well as the creative sector.

You’ll develop the essential skills that are needed in the rapidly growing game sector, as well as a professional-standard portfolio to showcase your abilities and boost your career prospects.

With transferrable skills such as communication, problem solving and collaboration, you’ll also have the essential attributes graduates need to get into the creative industries.

Our students have gone on to successful careers in games design, multimedia production and marketing with roles including game designer, 2D or 3D artist, VFX artist, environment artist, texture artist and character designer.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

The standard way to apply for this course is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skill, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing your academic qualifications.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

Visit our next Open Day, and see all that Hull has to offer for yourself. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.

Book your place now

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  1. (11th, 13th) The Guardian University Rankings 2024.

 

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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