MSc Construction Project Management
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BA (Hons) Video Game Design
City Centre
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Video Game Design program at Birmingham City University is tailored for aspiring game designers looking to enter the dynamic and innovative field of video game development. This undergraduate degree combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience, covering game design principles, interactive storytelling, game mechanics, and digital prototyping. Students explore diverse aspects of game development, including game art, level design, game programming, and user experience (UX) design. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and technical proficiency, empowering students to create compelling and immersive gaming experiences for diverse platforms and audiences. Through industry-relevant projects and workshops, students develop a robust portfolio showcasing their game design expertise and innovative game concepts.
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Game Design Principles: Students learn fundamental game design principles, including game mechanics, player dynamics, and interactive storytelling. They explore the elements of game balance, pacing, and player engagement, gaining insights into designing meaningful and immersive gameplay experiences.
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Game Art and Visual Development: The program covers game art fundamentals, including concept art, character design, environment art, and 3D modeling. Students develop skills in digital art tools and techniques to create visually compelling game assets and environments.
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Level Design and Game Environments: Students study level design techniques, focusing on creating engaging game environments and interactive worlds. They learn to design gameplay spaces, implement game mechanics, and optimize player experiences through effective level design.
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Game Programming and Development: The curriculum includes game programming modules where students learn programming languages and game engines used in industry-standard game development. Students acquire coding skills to implement game features, mechanics, and systems.
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User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design: Students explore UX/UI design principles specific to game design, including interface layout, usability testing, and player interaction design. They develop intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that enhance player immersion and accessibility.
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Industry Collaboration and Professional Practice: The BA (Hons) Video Game Design program emphasizes industry collaboration and professional practice. Students engage with guest speakers, participate in industry-led projects, and attend gaming events to gain insights into industry trends and best practices. They develop networking skills and industry contacts through placement opportunities and studio visits.
Location
City Centre
Score
IELTS: 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16870
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs are required to have completed their secondary education with a minimum academic achievement of 60-65% or above.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall score of 6.0, with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL (iBT): Overall TOEFL score of 80.
- PTE Academic: Overall PTE score of 64.
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 meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.
These scholarships provide opportunities for talented students to pursue their studies at Birmingham City University
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship:This scholarship is available to international students applying for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programs at Birmingham City University.The scholarship covers a portion of the tuition fees, providing a financial boost to successful applicants.Eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and the scholarship amount may vary, so it is important to check the university's official website for the most up-to-date information.
Academic Merit Scholarship:Birmingham City University offers the Academic Merit Scholarship to high-achieving international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance.The scholarship is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.Eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the scholarship amount may differ based on the level of study and program, so it is advisable to visit the university's official website for specific details.
Country-Specific Scholarships:Birmingham City University provides scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions.These scholarships aim to promote diversity and cultural exchange, and the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and scholarship amounts can vary depending on the country or region.International students should check the university's website or contact the admissions office to find out if there are any country-specific scholarships available for their nationality.
External Scholarships and Funding:Birmingham City University also encourages international students to explore external scholarship opportunities offered by governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as corporate sponsors.The university's dedicated scholarship and funding team can provide guidance and support in identifying and applying for external scholarships.
It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may vary from year to year.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Video Game Design program at Birmingham City University are well-equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue rewarding careers in the thriving video game industry.
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Game Designer: Graduates can pursue roles as game designers, responsible for conceptualizing and designing gameplay mechanics, levels, and interactive systems. Game designers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to create engaging and innovative game experiences that resonate with players. They contribute to game development from initial concept to final release, ensuring gameplay quality and player satisfaction.
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Level Designer: Level designers focus on creating compelling game environments, challenges, and experiences within video games. They use level design tools and techniques to craft interactive worlds, optimize player flow, and balance difficulty progression. Level designers collaborate closely with game designers, artists, and programmers to bring game concepts to life through engaging level design.
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Game Artist or Environment Artist: Graduates with strong artistic skills can pursue careers as game artists or environment artists, responsible for creating visual assets, characters, environments, and animations for video games. Game artists collaborate with art directors and design teams to maintain visual consistency and aesthetic quality throughout game development.
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UI/UX Designer: UI/UX designers specialize in creating intuitive user interfaces and immersive user experiences for video games. They design interface layouts, interactive menus, HUD elements, and controls that enhance player interaction and accessibility. UI/UX designers collaborate with game designers and programmers to optimize usability and player engagement.
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Game Programmer: Graduates with programming skills can pursue roles as game programmers, responsible for implementing game features, mechanics, and systems using programming languages and game engines. Game programmers optimize game performance, debug code, and collaborate with design teams to ensure technical feasibility and gameplay functionality.
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Indie Game Developer: Some graduates may choose to work as indie game developers, creating independent video games as part of small development teams or solo projects. Indie game developers leverage their design and technical skills to create innovative and original game concepts, often exploring niche genres or experimental gameplay mechanics.
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Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: Graduates can start their careers as QA testers, responsible for identifying and reporting bugs, glitches, and gameplay issues during game development. QA testers play a crucial role in ensuring game quality and stability before release, providing valuable feedback to development teams.
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Game Producer or Project Manager: Experienced graduates may pursue roles as game producers or project managers, overseeing game development processes, scheduling, and team coordination. Game producers ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget, managing resources and stakeholder expectations throughout development.
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Educator or Game Design Consultant: Some graduates may explore opportunities in education or consultancy, sharing their expertise as educators or consultants within the game industry. They may teach game design courses, lead workshops, or provide design consultancy services to game studios, educational institutions, or start-up ventures.
