Game Design and Development with Foundation Year

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

• Study your foundation year, then progress to the full degree

• Develop important business skills from the very first day.

• Undertake applied projects and explore different ways of working.

This foundation year has been designed to enhance your knowledge in advance of undergraduate study. You'll study a range of business-related topics, and apply your skills on rewarding projects and assignments. After completing your foundation, you'll have everything you need for full honours degree study, and progress directly onto the BSc Games Design and Development course.

How you learn:

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Games Design and Development course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other Sheffield Business School foundation year students, then move on to the degree.

You will learn in a supportive, challenging and exciting environment. You will be based in Sheffield Business School — a vibrant, dynamic setting with excellent facilities located in the heart of the city.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars

• case studies

• presentations

• self-directed study

• work placements

• activities and events

In the foundation year, you'll study wider business topics, while specialising in your chosen subject area. You'll learn useful skills such as academic writing, work in diverse teams and learn to utilise a wide variety of data sources. In doing so, you'll fully prepare yourself for undergraduate study.

Applied learning

Degree preparation

After the foundation year, you will be ready to start the full degree. BA Games Design and Development is an engaging, challenging course where you will work on real game development projects and develop your own creative approach, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources supported by the likes of Sony Playstation.

Live projects

The BA degree includes a range of professional development and work-based learning opportunities, including producing game concept and prototype pitches for commercial and other external clients, guest lectures from industry professionals and networking events. You will get opportunities to develop your own future strategy as a game professional whether that be freelancing, working as an independent game developer or working in a specific sector in the game or interactive media industries.

Networking opportunities

On the full degree, you will have the opportunity to engage with specialist visiting lecturers from the industry to show your work. A wide range of professional development and networking opportunities are supported by the Media Arts and Communications Department, such as the yearly Pathways event. We always seek to support and enable any student who obtains a placement to be able to take such opportunities.

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Creative Synergies In Media Production
Media In Context
Media Project
Preparing For Independent Practice And Study

Year 2

Compulsory modules

3D Modelling
Game Design Theory
Game World Mechanics
Level 4 Game Project
Online Gaming Cultures
Visual Concepts For Games 1

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Advanced Game Design Theory
Experimental Game Practice
Narrative Design
Physical Games
Professional Development Project

Elective modules

Creative Sound Practice
Introduction To Concept Art
Virtual Reality Design

Year 4

Optional modules

Placement Year

Final year

Compulsory modules

Creative Direction For Games
Final Game Project
Game Professional Practice
User Interface Design For Games

Elective modules

3D Games Prototyping
Life Drawing
Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice
Visual Effects Project

Coursework & Practical