BA (Hons) Games Design

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic qualification: International students must have a minimum overall score of 60% or above in the relevant secondary education qualification or its equivalent.

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 75, with at least 17 in Listening, Reading,  Speaking, and Writing.
• PTE: A minimum overall score of 46 with no individual score below 36.
• 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.

York St John University offers a range of scholarships to international students, providing financial support and recognition for their academic achievements. These scholarships aim to attract talented students from around the world and promote diversity within the university community.

International Scholarship Programme: This scholarship is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from non-EU countries. It offers a tuition fee reduction of up to £2,500 per year for the duration of the program. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Vice Chancellor's Scholarship: This prestigious scholarship is available to high-achieving international students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programs. It provides a tuition fee reduction of up to £5,000 per year. Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

Country-specific Scholarships: York St John University also offers scholarships tailored to students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships may have varying eligibility criteria and award amounts. Examples include the Nigeria Scholarship, Ghana Scholarship, and India Scholarship.

Sports Scholarships: York St John University values sporting excellence and offers scholarships to international students who excel in their chosen sport. These scholarships provide support for training, coaching, and competition expenses, along with access to sports facilities and other benefits.

It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and award amounts may vary each year.

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Games Design program at York St John University are well-prepared to pursue exciting and rewarding careers in various sectors of the games industry. 

Game Designer: Graduates can work as game designers, responsible for creating the overall concept, mechanics, and gameplay elements of video games. They collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop engaging and immersive gaming experiences, from initial concept to final release. Game designers analyze player feedback, iterate on game mechanics, and ensure that games are enjoyable, challenging, and balanced.

Level Designer: Level designers focus on creating the environments, challenges, and puzzles within video games. They design levels, maps, and scenarios that provide players with engaging and interactive experiences. Level designers use level editors, scripting languages, and game engines to implement gameplay elements, narrative sequences, and environmental storytelling techniques.

Character Artist/Animator: Graduates with strong artistic skills may specialize in character design and animation. They create concept art, 3D models, textures, and animations for characters, creatures, and objects within games. Character artists collaborate closely with game designers and animators to bring game worlds to life and evoke emotions in players through compelling character designs and animations.

Environment Artist: Environment artists focus on creating the visual assets and landscapes within video games. They design and model environments, props, and architectural elements that populate game worlds and enhance immersion. Environment artists use techniques such as 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting to create realistic and visually stunning game environments.

UI/UX Designer: UI/UX designers specialize in designing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for video games. They create intuitive menus, HUD elements, and interactive interfaces that enhance player interaction and navigation. UI/UX designers conduct user testing, gather feedback, and iterate on designs to optimize usability, accessibility, and player engagement.

Game Programmer: Graduates with strong programming skills may pursue careers as game programmers, responsible for implementing game mechanics, systems, and features. They write code, develop algorithms, and debug software to ensure that games run smoothly and perform optimally across different platforms and devices. Game programmers may specialize in areas such as gameplay programming, AI programming, or engine development.

Game Writer/Narrative Designer: Game writers and narrative designers focus on crafting the storylines, dialogues, and narratives within video games. They develop compelling characters, plot twists, and branching narratives that engage players and drive the game's narrative forward. Game writers collaborate with game designers, artists, and programmers to integrate storytelling elements seamlessly into gameplay.

Quality Assurance Tester: Graduates may start their careers as quality assurance testers, responsible for testing games for bugs, glitches, and usability issues. They playtest games, identify defects, and provide feedback to developers to ensure the quality and stability of the final product. Quality assurance testers play a crucial role in the game development process, helping to deliver polished and high-quality games to players.

Independent Game Developer: Some graduates may choose to work as independent game developers, creating their own games and establishing their own game development studios. They develop original concepts, manage production pipelines, and market their games to players through digital distribution platforms. Independent game developers have the freedom to explore innovative ideas and experiment with different genres and gameplay mechanics.

Educator/Researcher: Graduates may pursue careers in academia or research, teaching game design principles, conducting research on game development technologies, or exploring theoretical frameworks in game studies. They may work as lecturers, researchers, or industry consultants, sharing their expertise and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of games design and development.