Games Design and Art (BA)

You'll study 6 studio practice modules – one per semester. These are the building blocks of your games practice and will help to develop your research, making and individual games specialism. Alongside these modules you'll undertake 6 smaller modules which frame the context of your game-making in terms of history, theory, contemporary practice, the business of games and professional contexts. 

In year 2, you’ll choose 1 module from a range of exciting options designed to enhance your own individual games practice. The course structure will encourage you to develop a dynamic and fast-paced process of thinking through making, while gaining lots of product creation and idea testing experience. You’ll work as part of a team as you progress through the course and take on increasingly ambitious projects.

Year 1 overview

You’ll learn the practical skills involved in thinking through making and applied critical design. You’ll learn games history, game theory and more, including:

• the critical and contextual landscape of contemporary game making

• the theory and practical processes behind game making

• how to develop critical making skills

• how to develop your research and design thinking

• 2D and 3D software skills

• prototyping, testing and reflective evaluation via critiques, feedback and documentation

Year 2 overview

Your second year involves applying industry practice to your games thinking through:

• systematic reflective documentation and blogging

• creating a games proposal and developing a design document

• working in teams to develop an advanced prototype using standard methodologies such as agile and lean UX

• an introduction to the current business for games

• pitching to industry representatives

• an external facing e3-style showcase

Year 3 overview

You’ll work on a games project, either individually or as part of a group. This involves:

• using a research-led approach to formulate an idea for a new game

• creating an innovative and unique games project proposal

• building a completed game ready for external promotion and launch at shows in Winchester and London

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects

How you'll spend your course time:

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Adam Procter is the course leader.

You can use this degree to work in any area of the games industry, or create and market your own games. Thanks to the reputation of our course and our strong links with industry, companies often approach us and offer internships to our students.

 Recent examples include:

• a games designer and artist internship at the Royal Society of Public Health - for a prototype of a gamified healthcare app

• an internship with the education technology startup MangaHigh - which led to full-time employment after the student’s game idea was commissioned

• an internship - followed by employment as a games designer and developer on AlphaPutt, an iOS game

• a number of games designer roles within University of Southampton research bids and projects, such as the Southampton General Hospital and Aspire Awards

Your degree can lead to a variety of roles, including:

• games designer

• 2D or 3D games artist

• games maker

• user experience/user interaction designer

• mobile and app designer

• project manager

 We focus on your employability throughout your studies by offering:

• ongoing advice from tutors with extensive design experience

• careers events to introduce you to potential employers

• support to set up your own business through the University’s Small Business Clinic, which provides free initial business advice

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

As part of your course, you can choose to take a year-long paid placement within the games and creative industries.

During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree, and gain vital professional experience.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK/EU students pay £9,250.
• International students pay £17,560.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.

Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: 1L6F
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2020 entry now

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

Applicants who meet our minimum entry requirements will be invited to attend an individual portfolio interview. Download our portfolio advice for games design and art (PDF, 152.74 KB).

We do not expect you to attend an interview if you do not already live or study in the UK. International and EU applicants are usually invited to send a portfolio by post or email.

We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.