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BA (Hons) - Games Design

Embark on an exciting journey into the dynamic, ever-evolving multi-billion-pound gaming industry. Here, you'll develop both creative and technical skills to become a successful game artist, prepared to shape the future of video games.

Immerse yourself in the art and design of video games as you learn foundational game art principles alongside traditional art techniques. Unleash your creativity, express your ideas through storyboards, and bring them to life in interactive prototypes to craft unique experiences for gamers.

You’ll master essential skills in drawing, concept art, modelling, and texturing using industry-standard 3D software and the latest game engine technology—all within our dedicated games design labs, supported by skilled technicians and lecturers.

Join a vibrant, creative community where you'll collaborate on joint projects with like-minded peers and expand your network of creative professionals.

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Carlisle - Brampton Road All

Course Overview

Our BA (Hons) Games Design course is perfect for aspiring game designers eager to make their mark in the multi-billion-pound games sector. Based at our dedicated arts campus, you'll be part of a thriving creative community, collaborating with students across art, animation, and media disciplines.

This is a design-focused degree—not a programming course—so your time will be dedicated to the art, storytelling, and creative vision behind games. You’ll learn how to develop concepts, craft storyboards, and bring your ideas to life through 2D and 3D playable prototypes. From drawing and visualisation to 3D modelling, texturing, and concept art, you'll master the essential tools of the trade using industry-standard software and game engines.

With 75% of the course delivered through practical learning, you’ll gain real-world experience working on individual and group projects, including a final-year major project and group game production. Modules also explore game theory, the creative economy, professional practice, and audience engagement, giving you a complete understanding of the games design pipeline and industry landscape.

You'll graduate with a standout portfolio, ready to launch a successful career in games design or the wider creative industries.

On this course you will...

Have regular guest lectures with industry professionals.
Study game design and development with access to dedicated games design labs and industry-standard software, providing a friendly, collegiate and supportive environment.
Learn computer games-specific topics like drawing and concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modelling, texturing, level design, and game theory.
Have the opportunity to take trips outside of the lab to gain inspiration and improve creative thinking. In previous years, they have included games expo - EGX and Develop: Brighton.
Develop a wide range of transferable digital skills allowing you to take up a number of internships during your studies.
Have access to borrow our motion capture software and VR headsets.

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Carlisle - Brampton Road All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Brampton Road
Institute Institute of Education, Arts and Society
UCAS CodeW282
Delivery StyleBlended Learning
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Brampton Road
All

Minimum entry requirements

104-112

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,535

UK | year

£14,900

International | year

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

On this programme, you will learn to design, develop, and create new and unique gaming experiences. However, this is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. You will learn all about art and design, developing storyboards and concepts which you will later turn into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D).

Year one

Cultural Contexts
Intro to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be discussed, examined, and analysed.
Collaborative Practice
Explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
Develop drawing as a fundamental skill in your practice and acquire the knowledge to understand the purpose of concept art as a tool visualising concepts for games.
3D Modelling
Enhance your knowledge of the professional three-dimensional visualisation for video games and digital media productions.
Gaming For Game Designers
Introduction to the basic ideas and models in Game Theory.

Year two

Understanding the Creative Economy
Contextualise the cultural and economic changes giving rise to the emergence of the creative economy as a leading sector in the UK and global economy.
Working in the Creative Economy
Introduce to the professional practices associated with the creative industries by means of a series of guest lectures, presentations, tutorials and workshops.
Concept To Prototype
Introduction to real-world scenarios in relation to working, in small groups, in the business world, and on client briefs.
Concept Art & Visualisation 2
Explore and develop visualisation techniques appropriate to games design.
Texturing
Enhance your knowledge of the professional texturing techniques used in the Games industry.

Year three

Theory and Research Methods in the Arts
Preparation for successfully undertaking your dissertation project.
Dissertation
Group Game Project
Develop teamwork and communication skills while you work in small groups on a specified brief to produce a working game.
Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
Develop the skills necessary to identify, generate and successfully access opportunities in the workplace and/or in continuing education.
Major Project
Develop the skills necessary to enable you to produce work for your final project.

Overview

104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BCC - BBC

T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted however we do recommend the T Level Digital Production, Design and Development for entry to this course.

Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: C - B

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DMM

Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA

Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2

Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing Games Design and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here), applicants that are estranged from their parents, are care leavers or have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

£9,535 - UK
£14,900 - International

2024-2025

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Student and Alumni Work

An in-game shot of a butcher about to chop a carrot.

3D model by Marian Toma (he's now graduated and works for Junkfish in Dundee)

Game called Neeve made by a team of Year 3 students

Controls for the spotlight carousel

Location
Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus
Located just outside the city, right on top of Hadrian's Wall, the Brampton Road campus is full of history, buzzing with excitement, creativity, and a sense of endless possibility. The home of creators, entertainers, rule breakers, and change-markers.
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BA (Hons) - Games Design