Computer Games Design (Taught)

Get a flying start in the games industry! As a game creator and designer, this is an opportunity for you to enhance your skills and build a portfolio of work to make an impact in modern video game design.

Games designers have an impact on virtually every aspect of a game, from system design through to improving the immersive experience for players.

Our MSc in Computer Games Design will place you at the heart of the action. You’ll dive into design theory and practice, the latest research and industry trends, and learn how to manage your own projects.

You’ll also get to focus on the area you want to specialise in for a career. Whether it’s gameplay interactions, how characters move, quest design, open world environments or another aspect of design, the choice is yours.

Our multi award-winning games department is one of the largest in the UK and you’ll be taught by leading experts with years of experience in games design and academia. You will also be able to tap into our industry links, including guest talks from games designers.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Computer Games Design

Course content

Every module is dedicated to design and all your assessments will feed into your professional portfolio. There are modules covering topics such as advanced research techniques, prototyping and professional practice. You will also explore game feel and polish - how to give players the best experience while navigating a game.

The course will culminate in the Games Master Project, an in-depth piece of work on your chosen theme. This could cover anything from a series of game prototypes or a framework for a computer game through to an academic paper.

Throughout your studies, you’ll also have access to our wide range of games facilities. Features include our hi-tech Vicon Motion Capture Studio, specialist Games Centre and hundreds of PCs. Our students also use industry-standard hardware and software such as Autodesk Creative Suite and the Unreal and Unity games engines.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.