BA (Hons) Games Design

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Students should have completed their secondary education with a minimum overall percentage of 60% or above in a relevant qualification equivalent to the UK's General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or A-levels.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6, with no individual component score below 5.5.
• TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80, with with no band less than 10.
• PTE: A minimum overall score of 61, with no individual score below 59.

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.

Scholarships for International Students at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan):

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship awarded to high-achieving international students. This scholarship provides a significant tuition fee reduction for the duration of the student's program. The selection is based on academic merit, and applicants are automatically considered when they apply for a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate program at UCLan.

International Excellence Scholarship: The International Excellence Scholarship is aimed at international students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. This scholarship offers a tuition fee reduction for the first year of study and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The selection criteria include academic achievements, personal statements, and references.

Country-Specific Scholarships: UCLan offers scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries or regions. These scholarships aim to promote cultural diversity and encourage international students from specific regions to study at UCLan. The eligibility criteria and award amounts vary depending on the specific scholarship.

Sports Scholarships: UCLan recognizes the achievements of talented student athletes and offers sports scholarships to support their academic and sporting pursuits. These scholarships are available for international students who demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and academic potential. The scholarships provide financial support, mentoring, and access to sports facilities and training programs.

Alumni Loyalty Discount: UCLan values its alumni and offers a tuition fee discount to international students who have previously completed a full degree program at UCLan and wish to pursue further studies at the university. The discount is applied to the tuition fees of eligible postgraduate programs.

External Scholarships and Funding: In addition to the scholarships offered by UCLan, international students can also explore external scholarship opportunities and funding options. Various organizations, foundations, and governments provide scholarships for international students studying in the UK. UCLan's International Office can provide guidance and information on external scholarship opportunities.

It is important to note that the availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines for scholarships may vary each year.

The BA (Hons) Games Design program at UCLan equips graduates with specialized skills and industry knowledge to thrive in diverse roles within the games and interactive media sector. UCLan's strong industry connections, professional development opportunities, and practical learning experiences ensure that graduates are well-prepared to enter the competitive and rapidly evolving field of games design. Whether working for established studios, indie ventures, or in related industries, graduates of the program contribute to shaping the future of interactive entertainment through their creativity, technical proficiency, and passion for games.

1. Game Designer: Graduates of the BA (Hons) Games Design program often pursue careers as game designers. They conceptualize game ideas, create game mechanics, develop narratives, and oversee the overall design process. Game designers work closely with artists, programmers, and producers to bring interactive experiences to life across various platforms.

2. Game Artist or Animator: Many graduates specialize in game art or animation roles. They create visual assets, including characters, environments, and special effects, using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, or Blender. Game artists collaborate with designers and developers to ensure visual fidelity and artistic coherence in games.

3. Game Programmer: Graduates with strong programming skills can work as game programmers. They write code to implement game mechanics, optimize performance, and integrate art assets into game engines. Game programmers often use languages like C++, C#, or JavaScript and work closely with designers and artists to achieve technical and creative goals.

4. User Experience (UX) Designer: UX designers focus on optimizing player interactions and experiences within games. They conduct playtesting, analyze user feedback, and iterate on interface design to enhance usability and engagement. UX designers play a crucial role in ensuring games are intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable for players.

5. Level Designer: Level designers create game environments, layouts, and challenges. They design puzzles, missions, and interactive elements to create compelling gameplay experiences. Level designers collaborate with other team members to balance difficulty, pacing, and narrative progression within games.

6. UI/UX Designer for Apps and Software: Graduates can leverage their UX/UI design skills beyond games to work in app development, software design, or interactive media projects. They design interfaces, interactions, and user flows for mobile apps, websites, or software applications, applying principles learned from games design.

7. Independent Game Developer (Indie Game Studio): Some graduates choose to establish their own indie game studios. They develop and publish games independently, leveraging platforms like Steam, itch.io, or mobile app stores to reach global audiences. Indie developers often have creative freedom and can explore niche genres or innovative gameplay concepts.

8. Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: QA testers play a vital role in game development, ensuring the quality, functionality, and performance of games. Graduates can start their careers as QA testers, conducting rigorous testing, identifying bugs and issues, and providing feedback to developers for improvements.

9. Game Producer or Project Manager: Graduates with strong leadership and organizational skills may pursue roles as game producers or project managers. They oversee game development teams, manage budgets and timelines, and coordinate the production process from concept to release.

10. Education and Training: Some graduates choose to work in education or training roles within the games industry. They may become game design instructors, workshop facilitators, or mentors, sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of game developers.