MSc Public Health and Social Care in Practice
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), United Kingdom, offers an MSc Publ...
BA (Hons) Computer Games Design
Swansea
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), situated in the United Kingdom, offers a dynamic BA (Hons) Computer Games Design program tailored for individuals passionate about creating computer games. This degree provides a solid foundation in game design theory, environment design, and character creation, enabling students to develop the technical and creative skills essential for success in the gaming industry. The program emphasizes practical experience with industry-standard tools such as Unreal Engine and Unity, crucial for modern game development, and encourages students to explore game mechanics, rule systems, and the entire game creation process. Learning from industry professionals with real-world experience, the course supports students in building a career-ready portfolio to showcase their abilities to future employers.
Curriculum: The BA (Hons) Computer Games Design curriculum at UWTSD is a three-year full-time program designed to foster creative exploration and technical proficiency. In the first year (Level 4), students delve into foundational aspects of game development, including "Visual Studies," "Game Design and History," "Introduction to Character Animation," "Environment Design," "Academic and Professional Development," "Introduction to 3D Modelling," and "Games for Positive Impact." The second year (Level 5) advances these skills with modules like "Game Theory and Design," "Level Design and Development," "Narrative and World-Building," and "Advanced Character Animation," allowing students to tackle more complex and innovative projects. The final year (Level 6) culminates in personally directed projects, including a significant "Independent Project," alongside modules such as "Emerging Trends," "User Experience Design," "Personal Portfolio Development," and "Advanced Character Performance." Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical, with no examinations, focusing on enabling students to produce a wide variety of game design projects for their portfolios.
Research Focus: The BA (Hons) Computer Games Design program at UWTSD emphasizes a practice-based research approach, encouraging students to creatively and imaginatively explore contemporary opportunities in games design. While primarily a design-focused program, the curriculum embeds intellectual skills such as analysis, innovation, and critical appraisal throughout the learning process. The final year's "Independent Project" serves as a key research component, where students delve into self-directed areas of interest, allowing them to produce professional-quality work that showcases their unique style and understanding of game development. Students are encouraged to explore the social and cultural contexts of game design, providing a critical lens through which to approach their creative and technical endeavors. The program aims to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the creative, critical, analytical, and interpretive skills necessary for the design and implementation of computer games. 1
Industry Engagement: UWTSD demonstrates strong industry engagement within its BA (Hons) Computer Games Design program, aiming to prepare graduates for successful careers in the gaming industry. The university utilizes powerful industry-standard tools like Unreal Engine and Unity, ensuring students gain practical experience with software widely used in professional studios. The curriculum is aligned with industry needs, and the program boasts excellent facilities, including access to the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software. UWTSD is also a member of the PlayStation®First Academic Program run by Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE), providing students and staff with access to professional development hardware and software tools for developing game ideas on the PlayStation 4 console platform. Learning from industry professionals with real-world experience, students are supported in developing a career-ready portfolio of work, preparing them for roles like Level Artist, Environmental Modeller, Character Artist, Texture Artist, and Concept Artist.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Computer Games Design program at UWTSD incorporates a global perspective by exploring the international nature of the computer games industry and its cultural impact. The curriculum encourages students to understand how games are created and consumed globally, and how different cultural contexts influence game design and player experience. By emphasizing industry-standard tools and a comprehensive understanding of the full production cycle, the program prepares students to enter a globally competitive field. The inclusion of modules like "Games for Positive Impact" and "Emerging Trends" can also touch upon global challenges and innovations within the gaming world. Although specific international placements or study abroad opportunities are not explicitly highlighted, the skills acquired are universally applicable, enabling graduates to pursue careers with leading studios worldwide or to embark on their own international projects.
Location
Swansea
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 13500
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
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 72.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and financial aid options to help reduce the cost of tuition fees and make studying in the UK more accessible. UWTSD offers various scholarships based on academic merit, country of origin, and specific program requirements.
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships: International students applying for undergraduate programs at UWTSD are eligible for Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic achievements and help reduce the financial burden of tuition fees. Scholarships are available for international students who meet the academic criteria, making it an excellent opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds.
Country-Specific Scholarships: UWTSD offers Country-Specific Scholarships for students from particular regions or countries. These scholarships are tailored to students from countries with strong links to the university or who are studying specific courses. The scholarships can range from partial fee waivers to more substantial financial support and are typically awarded based on academic merit and the applicant’s background.
Early Payment Discounts: Students who pay their tuition fees early can benefit from an early payment discount. This discount is available to international students who pay their tuition fees in full before the specified deadline. The early payment discount typically depending on the program and level of study.
A BA (Hons) Computer Games Design degree from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) provides a comprehensive and industry-aligned education, equipping graduates with both the artistic prowess and technical skills demanded by the global digital entertainment sector. With a curriculum focused on the entire production pipeline, from concept development to final implementation, and extensive hands-on experience with industry-standard software (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), graduates are well-prepared for a diverse range of roles in film, television, video games, and other creative industries. The program's emphasis on game design theory, environment design, and character creation, combined with a focus on building a career-ready portfolio, further enhances graduates' readiness for professional roles.
Game Designer: Responsible for conceptualizing and defining the core gameplay mechanics, rules, storylines, characters, and overall player experience. This often involves creating design documentation and prototyping ideas.
Level Designer: Specializing in the creation and arrangement of game environments, puzzles, challenges, and missions within a game, ensuring engaging player progression and narrative flow.
UI/UX Designer (User Interface/User Experience Designer): Focusing on how players interact with the game, designing intuitive menus, on-screen displays (HUDs), and overall player flow to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
3D Artist/Environment Artist/Character Artist: Creating the visual assets for games, including characters, props, environments, and textures, using 3D modeling and texturing software.
Technical Artist: Bridging the gap between art and programming, technical artists optimize game assets for performance, create tools for artists, and ensure that artistic vision can be technically implemented within the game engine.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: Playing games extensively to identify bugs, glitches, and usability issues, providing detailed feedback to the development team to ensure a high-quality final product.
Narrative Designer/Game Writer: Crafting the story, dialogue, character backstories, and lore for games, working closely with game designers and level designers to integrate narrative seamlessly into gameplay.
Gameplay Programmer: While the degree is design-focused, graduates with a strong aptitude for logic and scripting may pursue roles in programming, implementing gameplay mechanics and features using languages like C++ or C#.
Game Producer/Project Manager: Overseeing the entire game development process, managing teams, budgets, and timelines, and ensuring that projects are completed on schedule and meet quality standards.
Indie Game Developer: Leveraging a broad understanding of game design, art, and potentially some programming, graduates can independently develop and publish their own games, either solo or as part of small teams.
