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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Games Design

Portfolio by Craig Green. BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
I600
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Games Design will teach you skills sought by industry, such as coding and programming, enabling you to take software tools and create new playable games from your ideas.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course will be announced soon.

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

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@GamesDesLCC

Course overview

BA (Hons) Games Design will teach you how to take the software tools of games design and create new gaming experiences. Explore skills sought by industry, such as storyboarding, coding and play testing which will enable you to translate your ideas into playable games.

Working from original concepts, you will develop ideas and test them to evaluate their experience of play. You'll not only design the players interaction with the game mechanics but also the visual feedback needed to communicate the player’s progress, the various gamestates and the behaviours of individual game objects and characters.

This concept-to-game approach is supported by the growing theoretical area of games studies.

What to expect

  • You’ll be taught to regularly generate new concepts and to be innovative in your practice.
  • You'll learn the design and development skills necessary sought after by leading design and software companies worldwide such as interactive design, the psychology of games, designing the experience of play, computer programming and 3D modelling.
  • You'll learn how to write game design documents starting from the initial concept, before mastering the various stages of development.
  • Put your skills into practice as you continually build playable games throughout the course. During this process, you'll demonstrate storyboarding and visualisation techniques to communicate ideas with linear or non-linear content.
  • You will also be expected to analyse gaming trends and identify unique selling points to build into the game's hooks and features; to create your own animated content, adding functionality with scripting before testing for performance and usability.
  • The final major project gives you the opportunity to research an aspect of games design that is of particular interest to you and to present your findings in a dissertation.

Industry experience and opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) Games Design runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

In common with all courses at University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Games Design qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

Introduction to Games Design (20 credits)
Concept and Design 1 (40 credits)
Prototype Development 1 (40 credits)
Theory of Interaction Design (20 credits)

The units in the first year will define computer games, their history and the subjective nature of play. You will be introduced to practical game design theories and how it effects the design of game hooks and features. You’ll develop an awareness of design documents used to communicate game concepts, and the programming skills needed to implement design documents and build game prototypes.

Year 2

Concept and Design 2 (40 credits)
Prototype Development 2 (20 credits)
Understanding Player Experience (20 credits)
Introduction to Professional Practice (20 credits)

In year 2 you will explore the importance of characters and game environments to aid immersion and enrich the player experience. You’ll examine the importance of genres in specifying potential target audiences. You will be introduced to 3D modelling and how to construct and texture game elements. Develop your programming skills to control multiple autonomous and dynamic objects.

Year 3

Major Project Practical (60 credits)
Professional Practice (Progression) (20 credits)
Thesis (40 credits)

In your third year you will build on existing 3D knowledge by introducing rigging, and the preparation and creation of animation and the use within a games engine. You will be introduced to the integrated development environment: the use of the content pipeline to import graphical images and 3D models, as well as testing and evaluating concepts.

The final year gives students the opportunity to specialise in an area of games design which they are particularly interested in. It supports the acquisition of specialist knowledge for their Major Project dissertation and aids in the development of specialist skills for the Major Project practical, via personal study and supervision.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of your course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (Optional)

An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking time out for industry experience. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

UAL Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Games Design (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Supervision
  • Tutorials
  • Peer review
  • Lectures
  • Seminar
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops supporting individual and group needs
  • Guest lectures

Online Open Day

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Hollow
    Hollow, Yasmin Ahmed, 2023 BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Charlie
    Charlie, Charlotte Lau, 2023 BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Superweapons Project
    Superweapons Project, Thomas Lam, 2021 BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Found Guys
    Found Guys, Luca Cavozzi, 2021 BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL
  • The Descent
    The Descent, Viktor Sitkei, 2021 BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL

Student work

  • Screenshot of game showing cartoon player surrounded by dead characters.
    Arthur Audren de Kerdrel. 2020, BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL.

    Wrath  

    Game by: Arthur Audren de Kerdrel

  • Screenshot of game showing lit up garden in a night time setting.
    Jack McPherson, Arthur Audren de Kerdel, and Jack Roper. 2020, BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL.

    Nightlight  

    Game by: Jack McPherson, Arthur Audren de Kerdel, and Jack Roper

  • Screenshot of game with players inside a white H arena
    Anthony McCarthy. 2020, BA (Hons) Games Design, London College of Communication, UAL.

    Mono Shift  

    Game by Anthony McCarthy

Student voices

Sebastian White

Sebastian's final project, 'Between the Devil and the Deep Blue', is a fun pirate-themed game inspired by classic shoot-to-move games.

Anna Poliakova

Anna is a graduate from the course who created a puzzle game where you can only use each movement once. Here Anna talks about her time on the course.

Henry Threadwell

Graduate Henry talks about his time and experience on the course, as well as his game 'Too Many Cooks' which he took to one of the biggest gaming conventions in Los Angeles.

Facilities

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • A 3D model of a wolf produced by an animation student.
    Image © Lewis Bush

    Animation and Games Design

    Discover the range of resources on offer to students studying Animation and Games Design.

  • Students using the computers in the Digital Space
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    Creative Technology Lab

    A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.

Course stories

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

104 UCAS tariff points which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Science, Digital and Creative Media, Computing).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

  • IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. Please check our English language requirements page for more information.

Selection criteria

The details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Demonstration of a clear interest in games design and an awareness of the business and technology of games.
  • An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study.
  • An ability and desire to think creatively and respond to briefs with originality.
  • Quality of ideas and thought processes in the approach to and production of your finished work.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I600

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

I600

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

Career paths

The aim of the course is to develop graduates who combine an experimental and innovative approach to design with an understanding of the player experience with critical and analytical skills to be able to develop for a chosen platform.

The career opportunities for graduates include games design, level design, content creation, project management, quality management and localisation.

Alumni

BA (Hons) Games Design graduates have gone on to work within the games industry as designers, producers, developers, 3D/2D content creators, localisation and quality assurance managers. They also excel in roles outside of the games industries as flash developers, web developers and 3D modellers.