MA Games Design

An applicant will normally be considered for admission if they have achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree in either games design, animation, illustration, visual communication or graphic design or closely related subject, and present a portfolio of image-led work and project proposal.

The course aims to appeal to art and design graduates who are interested in expanding their experience by investigating emerging areas of games design practice. However, we will consider applicants who have graduated from other related disciplines, or who have relevant industry experience.

Students applying to this course will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with games design.

For fees and funding information, please see website 

Graduates of the course will be equipped to work in an increasingly technologically informed and interdisciplinary design world, with in-depth skills in the following areas: game design and production both 3D and 2D visual communication for games, narrative and sequential image making and time-based design as well as having a portfolio of personal work to enable you to seek work across the games sector.

A significant proportion of graduates of MA Games Design may also want to practice as commercial games designers.

Autumn, term 1

• Design and Prototyping (40 credits)
  You’ll prototype a range of playable games in different mediums and genres, focusing on testing concepts and ideas. You’ll also analyse and compare game mechanics and systems from existing games to gain an understanding of specific games design elements.

Spring, term 2

• 2.1 Understanding Play (20 credits)
  You’ll utilise both primary and secondary research to gain a critical understanding of game design theory on a subject of your choice, and you’ll consider both the existing academic writing on game design theory and utilising theory from other subject areas.
• 2.2 Collaborative Unit (20 credits) - Working with other students from across the College or external partners, you’ll explore the influence of different subject knowledge areas and technical skills on your game design practice, resulting in a playable outcome.

Summer, term 3

• Critical Play and Development (40 credits)
  You’ll explore how the mechanics of play can be used in your own practice to express meaning and convey a message by developing a playable game experience. You’ll examine games as a form of literature, which can be deconstructed and critically analysed.
• Thesis and Final Project (60 credits)
  Synthesising the knowledge, skills and experience from the previous units of the course, you’ll produce a self-directed project and associated thesis.

Autumn, term 4

• 4. Thesis and Final Project (continued)
  If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.