BA Games Design with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Games Design with Foundation Year is an undergraduate degree in the fashion design subject area that integrates a preparatory foundation year before progressing into core creative and technical studies. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes a dissertation project and a major project in the final year. The first year focuses on creative practice through compulsory modules such as Introducing Creative Research Practice, Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning, Ideas, Images and Objects, and Innovation Lab. The second year introduces technical and contextual studies through Cultural Contexts, Collaborative Practice, Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art, and 3D Modelling. Year three advances into professional production with Working in the Creative Industries (Media Arts), Cultural and Ethical Awareness in Games, Concept To Prototype, and UI and UX for games, alongside optional choices including Digital Sculpting, Motion Capture and Animation for Games, and Digital Painting Techniques. The final year centers on advanced research and production 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
48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . A-levels: A. T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted however we do recommend the T Level Digital Production, Design and Development for entry to this course. Access to HE: 45 Credits at Pass. Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Other experience: Pearson Level 3 National Diploma MP. 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 this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained. The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.
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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
- Introducing Creative Research Practice
- Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning
- Ideas, Images and Objects
- Innovation Lab
- Creative Industries Toolkit
- Creative Playbook
- Cultural Contexts
- Collaborative Practice
- Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art
- 3D Modelling
- Gaming For Game Designers
- Working in the Creative Industries (Media Arts)
- Cultural and Ethical Awareness in Games
- Concept To Prototype
- Concept Art & Visualisation 2
- Texturing
- UI and UX for games
- Digital Sculpting
- Motion Capture and Animation for Games
- Digital Painting Techniques
- 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year 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 with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
The average entrant had 101 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Games Design with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.