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BA (Hons) Games Design
Farnham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Games Design program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in all aspects of game development, from concept creation to final production. This program offers a hands-on approach to learning, allowing students to explore various disciplines within game design, including game mechanics, level design, narrative development, and user experience (UX) design. Through practical projects, workshops, and industry collaborations, students gain valuable skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the rapidly growing games industry. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, preparing graduates to tackle the challenges of creating innovative and engaging games for diverse audiences. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert guidance from experienced tutors and industry professionals, students develop a strong portfolio of work that showcases their talent and potential as game designers.
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Game Mechanics and Systems Design: Students learn to design compelling gameplay mechanics and systems that drive player engagement and enjoyment. They explore concepts such as game balance, progression, reward systems, and player agency, gaining an understanding of how to create games that are both challenging and rewarding.
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Level Design and Environment Creation: Students develop skills in level design and environment creation, learning to design immersive game worlds, levels, and environments that enhance player experience. They study principles of spatial design, pacing, flow, and player interaction to create memorable and dynamic game environments.
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Narrative and Storytelling: Students explore the role of narrative in game design, learning to craft compelling stories, characters, and dialogues that enrich the player experience. They study narrative techniques, interactive storytelling, branching narratives, and character development, gaining insights into how narrative can enhance immersion and emotional engagement in games.
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User Experience (UX) Design: Students delve into UX design principles and methodologies, focusing on creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces (UI) and user experiences for games. They learn to conduct user research, prototyping, usability testing, and iteration to ensure that games are accessible, enjoyable, and easy to navigate for players.
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Collaborative Projects and Industry Engagement: Students collaborate with peers on interdisciplinary projects and industry briefs, gaining experience in teamwork, communication, and project management. They have opportunities to work with industry partners, participate in game jams, and showcase their work at exhibitions and events, preparing them for the realities of working in the games industry.
Location
Farnham
Score
IELTS: 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16950
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications:The minimum percentage required for undergraduate courses at UCA is average percentage of 60% in HSC.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: The minimum required overall score is usually between 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
- PTE Academic: The minimum required overall score is 56.
- TOEFL: The minimum required score is 80.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It is important to note that entry requirements may vary across different programs and courses. Additionally, meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as the number of available places and competition for certain courses.
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) recognizes the importance of providing financial support to students pursuing their creative arts education. University for the Creative Arts offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities to help students with the costs of tuition fees and living expenses.
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships: University for the Creative Arts offers Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and are open to both domestic and international students. The scholarship amount varies and can contribute towards tuition fees or living expenses.
International Scholarships: University for the Creative Arts offers scholarships specifically designed for international students. These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The eligibility criteria, application process, and scholarship amounts may vary.
University for the Creative Arts Creative Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and creative potential in their chosen field of study. The Creative Excellence Scholarships are available for various disciplines within the creative arts, such as fine arts, design, fashion, media, and more.
External Scholarships and Funding: University for the Creative Arts encourages students to explore external scholarship opportunities and funding sources. There may be scholarships offered by government organizations, charitable foundations, or industry associations that are applicable to creative arts students. University for the Creative Arts provides guidance and support to help students identify and apply for external scholarships.
It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may vary from year to year.
The BA (Hons) Games Design program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) opens up a variety of exciting career prospects for graduates in the rapidly growing games industry. With the global gaming market continuing to expand and diversify, there is a growing demand for skilled and creative professionals who can contribute to the development of innovative and engaging games across various platforms and genres. Graduates of the BA (Hons) Games Design program are equipped with a diverse set of skills and a strong portfolio of work that prepares them for a range of career paths within the games industry.
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Game Designer: Graduates can pursue roles as game designers, where they are responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and developing game mechanics, levels, and gameplay systems. Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, and other team members to bring game concepts to life and create immersive and enjoyable player experiences.
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Level Designer: Level designers focus on creating compelling and well-designed game levels and environments that enhance player engagement and progression. They use tools such as level editors and game engines to build and refine game levels, incorporating gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and visual aesthetics to create memorable and challenging experiences for players.
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User Experience (UX) Designer: UX designers play a crucial role in ensuring that games are user-friendly, accessible, and enjoyable for players. They focus on designing intuitive user interfaces (UI), optimizing player interactions, and conducting usability testing to improve the overall user experience of games.
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Narrative Designer: Narrative designers are responsible for crafting compelling stories, characters, and dialogues that enrich the narrative experience of games. They work closely with writers, designers, and artists to develop engaging narratives that resonate with players and enhance the immersion and emotional impact of games.
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Game Artist: Graduates with a strong artistic background can pursue careers as game artists, where they create visual assets such as characters, environments, and animations for games. Game artists use digital art tools and techniques to bring game worlds to life and ensure visual consistency and quality throughout the game development process.
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Game Developer/Programmer: Graduates with programming skills can work as game developers or programmers, where they are responsible for implementing game mechanics, features, and functionalities. Game developers collaborate with designers and artists to translate game concepts into code and optimize game performance across different platforms and devices.
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Independent Game Developer/Entrepreneur: Some graduates may choose to pursue independent game development or entrepreneurship, where they create and publish their own games or start their own game development studios. This path offers creative freedom and the opportunity to explore niche markets and innovative game concepts.
