BA Games Design
About this course
BA (Hons) Games Design is an undergraduate degree within the Fashion Design subject area, focusing on the creative development of interactive experiences and digital media. Core topics include Research Methods, Project Management, Communication & Writing, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, and Design & Creative Practice. Practical studio learning forms a significant portion of the curriculum, culminating in a major final-year project and collaborative game production experience. The first year introduces the fundamentals through Cultural Contexts, Collaborative Practice, Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art, 3D Modelling, and Gaming For Game Designers. The second year builds upon these foundations with Working in the Creative Industries, Cultural and Ethical Awareness in Games, Concept To Prototype, Concept Art & Visualisation 2, Texturing, and UI and UX for games. The final year involves advanced academic and practical work through Theory and Research Methods in the Arts, Dissertation, Group Game Project, Markets, Audiences & Exhibition, and Major Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
104-112 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range. A-levels: BCC - BBC. T-levels: P (C+) – M. All subjects are accepted however we do recommend the T Level Digital Production, Design and Development for entry to this course. Access to HE: 15 Credits at Distinction & 30 at Merit. Scottish Highers: BBBC - BBBA. Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – B1x3, B2. Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing Games Design and reflect upon any experience you have gained.
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What students say
Based on about 9 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 43%
- Learning opportunities: 51%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 68%
- Organisation and management: 45%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 52%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Gained a higher qualification: 5%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 20%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 14%
- North West: 62%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 5%
- London: 1%
- South East: 1%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 3%
- Northern Ireland: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 70%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Cultural Contexts
- Collaborative Practice
- Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
- 3D Modelling
- Gaming For Game Designers
- Working in the Creative Industries
- Cultural and Ethical Awareness in Games
- Concept To Prototype
- Concept Art & Visualisation 2
- Texturing
- UI and UX for games
- Theory and Research Methods in the Arts
- Dissertation
- Group Game Project
- Markets, Audiences & Exhibition
- Major Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Games Design at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £17,000 after 3 years, £22,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,000 and £25,000. The £22,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Games Design at University of Cumbria do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Games Design at University of Cumbria?
43% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Games Design at University of Cumbria?
The typical offer is BCC at A level. The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Games Design at University of Cumbria?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.