BA (Honours) Game Design and Development

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs at Sheffield Hallam University are typically required to have a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their high school or equivalent qualifications.

English language proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 90, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, and 20 in Writing.
• PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 60 with no individual score below 51.
• DET (Duolingo English Test): A minimum score of 120 is required.
• Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.

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.

Sheffield Hallam University offers a range of scholarships to international students to support their academic journey and recognize their achievements. These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance and enhance the overall student experience.

Transform Together Scholarships: These scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate students and cover a significant proportion of the tuition fees. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, and applicants are required to demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact in their home country after completing their studies.

Chevening Scholarships: Sheffield Hallam University is a Chevening partner, offering scholarships to exceptional students from Chevening-eligible countries. Chevening scholarships are fully funded and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other study-related costs. Recipients of Chevening scholarships become part of the influential global network of Chevening Alumni.

Country-Specific Scholarships: Sheffield Hallam University offers scholarships specifically designed for students from certain countries. These scholarships may be based on academic merit, financial need, or other specific criteria.  

Sports Scholarships: Sheffield Hallam University recognizes the achievements of talented student-athletes by offering sports scholarships. These scholarships support athletes in balancing their academic and sporting commitments. Recipients of sports scholarships receive financial assistance, access to training facilities, coaching support, and other sports-related benefits.

Partnership Scholarships: The university has established partnerships with various organizations and institutions, leading to the availability of partnership scholarships. These scholarships may be offered to students from partner institutions or through collaborations with industry partners. They provide financial support and unique opportunities for academic and professional development.

It's important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application processes may vary from year to year.

Graduates of the BA (Honours) Game Design and Development program at Sheffield Hallam University are well-equipped for a variety of exciting career opportunities in the gaming industry and related fields. With a strong foundation in game design principles, development skills, and industry experience, graduates have the flexibility to pursue diverse roles in game development studios, technology companies, entertainment agencies, and more.

Game Designer: Many graduates pursue careers as game designers, responsible for conceptualizing and designing the gameplay, mechanics, and overall experience of video games. They collaborate with teams of artists, programmers, and writers to create engaging and immersive game worlds, characters, and narratives. Game designers may specialize in areas such as level design, system design, or narrative design, working on a wide range of game genres from action-adventure to puzzle games.

Game Developer/Programmer: Graduates with strong programming skills may work as game developers or programmers, responsible for implementing game mechanics, features, and functionality using programming languages and game development tools. They write code, debug software, and optimize performance to ensure smooth and responsive gameplay across various platforms. Game developers may specialize in areas such as gameplay programming, graphics programming, or artificial intelligence (AI) programming.

Game Artist/Animator: Graduates with artistic talents may pursue careers as game artists or animators, responsible for creating visual elements such as characters, environments, and animations for video games. They use software tools such as 3D modeling, texturing, and animation software to bring game worlds to life, collaborating closely with designers and developers to ensure visual consistency and aesthetic appeal. Game artists may specialize in character design, environment art, or concept art.

UI/UX Designer: UI/UX designers play a crucial role in shaping the user experience and interface design of video games. Graduates may work as UI/UX designers, responsible for designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, menus, and interactive elements that enhance player engagement and usability. They conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the user experience and accessibility of games across different platforms and devices.

Game Producer/Project Manager: Game producers or project managers oversee the development process of video games, from concept to release. Graduates may work in production roles, coordinating schedules, budgets, and resources to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. They liaise with stakeholders, manage teams of developers and artists, and mitigate risks to ensure successful delivery of high-quality games. Game producers may specialize in areas such as production management, project planning, or agile development methodologies.

Quality Assurance Tester: Quality assurance testers play a vital role in ensuring the quality and stability of video games before release. Graduates may work as QA testers, responsible for identifying and reporting bugs, glitches, and usability issues in games through rigorous testing and debugging processes. They work closely with development teams to troubleshoot issues, verify fixes, and ensure that games meet quality standards and player expectations before launch.

Independent Game Developer/Entrepreneur: Some graduates may choose to pursue careers as independent game developers or entrepreneurs, creating their own games and establishing their own game development studios or indie game companies. They develop original game concepts, manage production pipelines, and market and distribute their games through digital platforms such as Steam, the App Store, or indie game marketplaces. Independent game developers leverage their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit to bring unique and compelling gaming experiences to players worldwide.