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:

pitching your ideas and prototypes to industry
visits to innovative games studios such as Hello Games, Sensible Object, ustwo games and Sennep games
visits to game conferences
workshops and advice on your projects from industry
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
showcasing your projects at external events such as our London show and other globally recognised games events
testing and gathering feedback on your ideas with real players

As part of your course you can choose to:

develop your work skills and industry links by taking a paid year in employment
gain a different cultural perspective on your subject by studying abroad for a year

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course location

This course is based at Winchester.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2023-24 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

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 with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBC and grade A in the EPQ.

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, as follows:
BBC including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

or

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.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

RQF BTEC

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.

QCF 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

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.

or

Entry requirements filter options

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

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 with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBC and grade A in the EPQ.

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, as follows:
BBC including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

or

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.

or

BTEC

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

RQF BTEC

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.

QCF 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

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.

or

Entry requirements filter options

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

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.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Critical, Cultural and Contextual Studies

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

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 ...

Interrogate, Investigate, Instigate

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...

Iterate and Prototype

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...

Learning and assessment

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:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

29%

Scheduled learning & teaching

71%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

essays
individual and group projects
oral presentations
portfolios

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

100%

Coursework

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:

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

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. 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 £22,300.

Your fees will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

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 to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented 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

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

Applicants will receive an invitation to submit their portfolio whilst their academic qualifications are being reviewed. Download our portfolio advice for games design and art (PDF, 152.74 KB).

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

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

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Games Design and Art (BA)

About this course

Learn more about this subject area

Art, design and fashion

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation programmes for international students

Non-academic entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Foundation programmes for international students

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

Year 1 modules

Critical, Cultural and Contextual Studies

Game Changers

Interrogate, Investigate, Instigate

Iterate and Prototype

Year 2 modules

Business Planning for Games

Games Design

Games Development

Business Skills for the Creative Industries

Creative Futures

Creative Writing