Games Design

BA Games Design is a course created to give you the opportunity to develop the skills required to design and build games for multiple platforms. The program encourages you to explore what the market is looking for and build solutions which meet the market’s needs for the next big game.

Based at the University’s brand new state of the art campus, Waterside, you will be using some of the most up-to-date games development software like that of Substance, Unity3D, UE4, Z Brush, 3DS Max, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
The University of Northampton is an academic partner of Unreal Engine, this means we are an official training site for UE4.
You will be taught in a way that encourages creativity and give you the opportunity to learn from those with industry experience.

Through a series of practical modules, you will be given the chance to explore the theory of design through to the development of quality prototypes for mobile, PC, and console. Key topics which will be covered include: Narrative theory, UX/UI, Introduction to Programming, 2D & 3D Skills, Engine Development, Design Management, and Professional Practice.

This course also forms part of a game development suite of courses which work together to give its students the experience of working with different skills sets within a games environment. Working together with students from BSc Games Programming and BA Games Art, you will gain the experience of working through the whole development cycle from idea generation to publishing. 95% of final year Computer games and animation students at The University of Northampton agreed they were satisfied with the course, while 100% of students agreed that staff have made the subject interesting.*

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2025 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2025***

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

The Northampton Employment Promise

• We’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ National Student Survey (NSS) 2023
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information
✱✱✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information

Stage 1
• Scripting for Games (compulsory)
• Level Design Principles (compulsory)
• 3D Modelling for Game Prototypes (compulsory)
• User Interface Design for Games (compulsory)
• Group Game Project: Fundamentals (compulsory)
• 2D Game Asset Production (compulsory)

Stage 2
• Narrative for Games (compulsory)
• Design and Development for Games (compulsory)
• Human Computer Interaction for Games (compulsory)
• Group Game Project Advanced (compulsory)
• Games Production (compulsory)
• Interaction Design for Games (compulsory)

Optional Placement Year
• Learning Through Work (WBL) (designated)

Stage 3
• Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project (compulsory)
• Design Innovation (compulsory)
• Professional Practice in Games (compulsory)
• Group Project 3 (Games) (compulsory)

Module information is quoted for 2024 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

Assessment is a mixture of studio based design projects (continual assessment), portfolio development, and written assignments.