BA Games Design

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a dynamic BA (Hons) Games Design degree, tailored to equip students with the innovative skills needed to create unique, creative, and complex video games in a constantly evolving technological world. As part of a studio-based community, students gain access to creative spaces that mirror professional industry environments, providing invaluable preparation for their careers. The program supports students from the ground up in developing the essential technical and teamwork skills demanded by the thriving games industry. Beyond game design and development processes, the course also deepens industry knowledge by exploring games psychology, the broader culture surrounding games and gaming, and the industry's commercial aspects.

Curriculum: The BA Games Design curriculum at CCCU is structured to provide a comprehensive and practical education. Core modules typically include "Art, Audio and Story for Games," "Creative Career," "Games Development Project," "Introduction to Game Development," and "Introduction to Game Studies." Students explore the processes in design and development, learning how to create games for a range of multimedia platforms, including computers, mobiles, and consoles, as well as digital and table-top games. Teaching methods involve a combination of technical and creative workshops, lectures, interactive seminars, and individual tutorials. The program is heavily project-based, with assessments typically consisting of practical assignments, such as game prototypes, demonstrations, and presentations, often supported by written evaluations and planning documentation. There are also modules dedicated to exploring games psychology, the industry itself, and broader culture around games and gaming.

Research Focus: The BA Games Design program at Canterbury Christ Church University is delivered by lecturers who possess years of experience working in the games industry and creative sectors. Their teaching is informed by their professional backgrounds and research interests within the School of Creative Arts and Industries. CCCU is recognised as a leader in play-culture research and houses significant archives related to the history and culture of games. While specific individual research specialisms of all faculty members teaching games design are not exhaustively detailed publicly, their involvement in current industry practices and academic inquiry into play culture and game development ensures that the curriculum is up-to-date and informed by contemporary research and trends in the field.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BA Games Design program at CCCU, providing students with vital practical experience and networking opportunities. Students gain confidence using industry-standard tools and game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine in dedicated creative arts facilities, including an extensive technology suite with high-performance PCs, Mac labs, and VR headsets. The university fosters connections with industry experts, providing opportunities through guest speakers, workshops, and collaboration on live projects. For instance, students have engaged in "Serious Gaming" initiatives with external partners like Growing Kent & Medway, developing games to inspire young people about careers in horticulture. The university's Careers Hub also offers support and industry connections, as demonstrated by recent graduates who launched their own game studio after securing funding and showcasing their work at major events like EGX and Insomnia's games festival.

Global Perspective: The BA Games Design program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently encompasses a global perspective by preparing students for an international industry. The curriculum explores game design and development for a global market, acknowledging diverse player bases and cultural influences on gaming. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of games design tools, processes, and the relationships between the industry, players, and designers on an international scale. While specific formal international study opportunities are not explicitly detailed, the program’s focus on "a truly international perspective," "opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration," and "exposure to global industry practices" (as highlighted by third-party course descriptions) aims to develop adaptable skills for a changing global landscape, ensuring graduates are ready for careers worldwide.