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 202223
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
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit, including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Access to HE additional information
No additional information
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B2 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Irish certificate additional information
No additional information
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
No additional information
Welsh Baccalaureate
BBB from 3 A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
or
BB from two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Welsh 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.
European Baccalaureate
75% overall including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.0
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Non-academic entry requirements
All applicants will need to provide a portfolio of art work
For Academic year 202122
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
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit, including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Access to HE additional information
No additional information
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B2 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Irish certificate additional information
No additional information
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
No additional information
Welsh Baccalaureate
BBB from 3 A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
or
BB from two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Welsh 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.
European Baccalaureate
75% overall including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.0
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
- listening
- 5.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
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 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Through a lively series of dynamic talks you will be introduced to the foundation of the historical and contextual development of Games Design & Art across the twentieth century. This broad view of design history and human computer interaction introduces ...
Game Changers builds upon the Critical, Cultural & Contextual Studies module. Through a series of current debates you will be introduced to the expanding, diverse, expressive and meaningful cultural phenomenon that is games, in an analytical and critical ...
Through a series of interconnected projects, you will be introduced to a range of activities and workshops to engage in design thinking and design research processes connected to game making. This includes field trips, observational drawing, critical thin...
This module builds upon and deepens the learning undertaken in the module in Interrogate, Investigate, Instigate, and features additional research trips. Through a series of projects, you will be introduced to an advanced range of activities and workshops...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
Building on your level 4 research, design and game making skills, this module will introduce a range of specialist game design skills in a series of workshops and activities that bring together your understanding of core skills you will employ to support ...
This module represents the next step in the development of the Games Design module. You will take forward one of the Game Design Documents (GDD) from the previous module into production. You will choose and pitch for a specific industry role within the pr...
Through a series of talks and seminars you will be introduced to approaches for the marketing, planning, and financing of various game products. The module will cover basic business and tax practices such as setting up as a sole trader or limited company ...
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
This module will cover the main aspects of developing and executing a business proposition and plan within the creative industries. You will also be guided in the use free apps based on the Business Canvas to make you more competent at developing a plan f...
In a world immersed in a process of change, facing social and sustainable significant challenges, this module focuses on the capacity of creative practices to set out potential new scenarios and creative futures. It will encourage you to think and discuss...
The module provides an introduction to creative writing and familiarises you with a range of writing styles appropriate to effective communications in the wider context of the creative industries and public arena. You will be encouraged to develop a vari...
This module introduces you to issues, terminology and trends in brand signature, visual identity image and branding. The syllabus will explore aspects of identity and image in a branding context. The module will also provide you with an opportunity to ana...
Sight and Sound is designed to introduce students to the language of cinema in support of their research methodologies and professional skill sets in the creative industries. Using key texts and self-generated or found visual samples as a basis for teachi...
We live in a world that is saturated by images. Images from the far reaches of space to the sub-atomic level and just about everything in between. Images seem to have a special power over our lives, playing a part in the constructions of who and what we ...
Year 3 modules
You must study the following modules in year 3:
This module enables you to develop a game artefact into final production based on your work in the Project Proposal module. You will work independently or within a team to realise an ambitious and outward facing project. The completed project will feature...
Building upon the module Professional Contexts, this module features an exciting series of industry speaker events and debates to act as a catalyst to support investigative academic and journalist writing for and about Games. The research and final writin...
Professional Contexts is an exciting series of industry speaker events and conversations that act as a facilitator to connect you directly to the game Industry. Speakers will provide multiple angles from the current Games industry and discuss how your wor...
The final year will start with a research-focussed approach to create an innovative game project proposal that addresses your own critical and contextual concerns. These will be discussed and located through a series of dynamic tutorials, presentations an...
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
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- portfolios
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- portfolios
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- individual and group projects
- oral presentations
- portfolios
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
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
-
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:
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games designer
-
2D or 3D games artist
-
games maker
-
user experience/user interaction designer
-
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
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