About this course
Combine the creative side of games design with essential technical knowledge. If you want to make unique new games and take your ambitious ideas into emerging games markets, platforms and spaces, this is the programme for you. You’ll cover design, illustration, character creation, animation and storytelling, as well as coding and digital production.
You’ll work in your own studios on campus as part of a vibrant, creative environment designed to mirror the collaborative practices of games companies and the creative industries.
You’ll learn to apply design-thinking to the creation of brand new games and refine them through research-led creative investigation, making, prototyping and user testing.
You’ll explore the full spectrum of gaming, including screen-based (video) games, augmented and virtual reality game-making, alongside the physical production of products such as location-based games, board games, card games and escape rooms. You’ll also cover the emerging fields of purposeful games and serious games, and explore how games can be designed to have social impact and cultural significance.
Throughout your studies you’ll work with your peers in a small, close-knit studio environment. You’ll collaborate and inspire one another, and discover your strengths. You’ll gain a range of skills including illustration, character design and storytelling as well as coding and digital production.
Your course includes:
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pitching your ideas and prototypes to industry
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visits to innovative games studios such as Hello Games, Sensible Object, ustwo games and Sennep games
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visits to game conferences
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workshops and advice on your projects from industry
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live projects with progressive organisations looking to utilise game theory and game design such as National Air Traffic Control, IBM and the Royal Society of Public Health
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showcasing your projects at external events such as our London show and other globally recognised games events
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testing and gathering feedback on your ideas with real players
As part of your course you can choose to:
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develop your work skills and industry links by taking a paid year in employment
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gain a different cultural perspective on your subject by studying abroad for a year
Course location
This course is based at Winchester.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202021
A-levels
BBB including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
A-levels additional information
A Level offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
International Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
BTEC
Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
BTEC additional information
No additional information
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Non-academic entry requirements
All applicants will need to provide a portfolio of art work
Got a question?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
COVID-19: we've made some changes to the structure of the course for this academic year. Download the programme specification addendum in 'About this course' to learn more.
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:
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the critical and contextual landscape of contemporary game making
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the theory and practical processes behind game making
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how to develop critical making skills
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how to develop your research and design thinking
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2D and 3D software skills
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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:
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systematic reflective documentation and blogging
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creating a games proposal and developing a design document
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working in teams to develop an advanced prototype using standard methodologies such as agile and lean UX
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an introduction to the current business for games
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pitching to industry representatives
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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:
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using a research-led approach to formulate an idea for a new game
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creating an innovative and unique games project proposal
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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.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2020-21
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
The learning activities for this course include the following:
- lectures
- classes and tutorials
- coursework
- individual and group projects
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
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.
Careers
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:
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a games designer and artist internship at the Royal Society of Public Health - for a prototype of a gamified healthcare app
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an internship with the education technology startup MangaHigh - which led to full-time employment after the student’s game idea was commissioned
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an internship - followed by employment as a games designer and developer on AlphaPutt, an iOS game
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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:
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games designer
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2D or 3D games artist
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games maker
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user experience/user interaction designer
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mobile and app designer
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project manager
We focus on your employability throughout your studies by offering:
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ongoing advice from tutors with extensive design experience
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careers events to introduce you to potential employers
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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.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £18,520.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.
Find out how to:
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
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 EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
When you apply use:
- UCAS course code: 1L6F
- UCAS institution code: S27
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?
Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000