BA Game Design

game-entertainment-design-hero

Undergraduate

BA Game Design

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

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Typical offer

112 points

A Level grades: BBC

UCAS code

W291

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

We challenge our students to go beyond the norm and push games and entertainment design to the next level. With a focus on employability, you'll build a professional-standard portfolio to showcase your abilities and boost your prospects.

This hands-on course gives you leadership skills and an informed, critical and creative approach to game and entertainment design – preparing you to enter the industry at a graduate level.

We’ve also got a relationship with Game Republic, so you could take part in their annual Student Showcase – presenting your final-year project to industry professionals and competing against teams from other universities.

Creativity lives and breathes at the University of Hull. Always has done, always will. It’s central to what universities do. But at Hull, we’re building something that goes far beyond our four walls. Find out more about Creative Industries, our brand-new degrees for career-driven creatives.

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

On-demand session

Game Design

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More to explore
Download your 2021 prospectus Come to our Virtual Open Day Accommodation Fees and finance Choose Hull

Six reasons to study Game Design at Hull

  1. 100% graduate employability rating*
  2. The latest tech, like our Virtuix Omni VR platform
  3. Access to our super-computer, VIPER
  4. Links to top names like Microsoft and Epic Games
  5. Choose to spend a CV-boosting year in industry 
  6. Enjoy game jams and study trips to gaming events

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    3D Asset Design

    Gain a grounding in the fundamentals of 3D Design. Learn the basics of modelling, textures, 3D painting and rendering, and design your own 3D animation and portfolio.

    Introduction to Game Engines

    Engage with creative production processes to develop an interactive game experience. You'll develop practical skills in using game engines learn theories of game design.

    2D Art for Games

    Compare and contrast traditional and digital 2D art within games. You'll explore the use of concept art in pre-production and develop 2D assets for use within your own game.

    Team Project (Game Design)

    Working in teams is essential in game design. Here, you'll be on a production team for a major piece of work, developing your team skills and your role as a reflective practitioner. 

    Game and Entertainment Studies

    Discover game and entertainment studies and the social, political and historical contexts of video games. You'll write an essay to support the development of your own game designs.

    Introduction to Animation

    We'll introduce you to a range of animation techniques. You'll also combine your knowledge of raster and vector design to create your own motion graphics. 

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    3D Character Design

    Use 3D organic digital sculpting to produce an effective 3D character. You'll learn good topology, character anatomy considerations and 3D print techniques. 

    Creative Business: Pitch and Design

    Develop your understanding of the tools and techniques used to generate a business idea in the pre-production stage, and create a pitch deck for a product of your own design.

    Level Design

    Grasp this exciting opportunity to bring life to the design of a game environment. Use your developing 3D and game engine knowledge to demonstrate skills as a level designer.

    3D Character Animation

    Apply principles of animation to bring life to your 3D characters. Learn and apply different workflows and explore advanced features of 3D animation.

    Professional Practice: Production and Development

    Develop and demonstrate your project management skills.

    Rapid Prototype Design

    Integrate personal, creative and intuitive design practice into the design of live-based interactive systems. You'll develop a prototyping kit to demonstrate your understanding. 

Placement year 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.

Final year modules

  • Compulsory

    Major Project (Digital Media)

    You'll conduct your own research into an area related to your studies. You'll also develop a dissertation and significant practical piece of design work to support your research.

    VFX and Post Production

    Discover how to enrich your moving image designs. You'll learn the key approaches to special effects using professional software and principles of cinematography. 

    Digital Storytelling

    Study the importance of narrative in different media. You'll explore your own use of narrative techniques producing materials for immersive and interactive experiences.

    The Designer Self

    Analyse strategies, models and processes used in organisations within the creative industries. You'll then demonstrate organisational skills in assembling, editing and curating a body of work.

    Immersive Design

    You'll learn and apply theories of immersive design, development and management. And you'll take part in your own virtual environment using our immersive design lab.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

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’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

240 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

960 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

43%
57%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

252 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

948 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

5%
95%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

228 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

972 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

7%
16%
77%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

204 hours

Scheduled study Scheduled hours typically include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and supervised laboratory and studio sessions.

996 hours

Independent study Independent study is the time outside your scheduled timetable, where you’ll be expected to study independently.

Indicative assessment proportions

6%
14%
80%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

game-entertainment-design-ryan-connor
Ryan Connor Game and Entertainment Design

Why I chose Game and Entertainment Design at Hull

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Placement year

Spend a year in industry getting real world experience with organisations from small studios to multinationals.

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Foundation year

A foundation year is available to boost your confidence and skills if you don't quite meet our academic entry requirements.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BBC

  • BTEC grades DMM

  • Points required 112

Work out your estimated points

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualifications on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications 

Alternative qualifications 

  • IB Diploma: 28 points.
  • Access to HE Diploma: pass with minimum of 45 credits at merit.

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

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.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

If you require a Tier 4 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.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

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.

Our teaching staff

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Take a tour of the facilities

Our Game Design students enjoy access to facilities such as our virtual control room.

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£14,800 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

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. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy 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 and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Game designer
  • 2D or 3D artist
  • VFX artist
  • Environment artist
  • Texture artist
  • Character designer

This programme is geared towards creating graduates who are ready to work in the games and entertainment industries.

Our students have gone on to successful careers with companies, including the BBC, in games design, multimedia production and marketing.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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This. Is. Hull.

A place where we stand up to kings, do deals with the world and take a wrecking ball to the slave trade. A place where culture stands out and the phone boxes are a different colour. A place where we're free-thinking, independent and proud of it.

*Percentage of students from this subject area in work or further study within six months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers; Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey for the academic year 2016/17, published by HESA 2018