MRes Leadership and Strategy
The University of Greater Manchester offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgradu...
MA Games Development
Bolton
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MA Games Development program at the University of Greater Manchester provides a focused and intensive study of the key disciplines involved in creating video games. It aims to develop graduates who are proficient in both the technical and creative aspects of game development, capable of contributing effectively to game development teams or pursuing independent game creation. The program typically covers areas such as game design principles, game programming, digital art and animation for games, and project management within a game development context. The curriculum often involves significant practical project work, allowing students to apply their learning and build a portfolio.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the MA Games Development program is carefully structured to provide a strong theoretical foundation alongside extensive practical skills development. Core modules generally cover areas such as advanced game design theory and practice, advanced game programming techniques, 3D modeling and animation for games, artificial intelligence in games, and game project management. Students may also have opportunities to specialize through elective modules in areas like virtual reality game development, mobile game development, or serious games. A significant component of the program is typically a major game development project, undertaken individually or in teams, allowing students to showcase their skills and creativity.
Research Focus: While primarily a practice-oriented program, the MA Games Development program at the University of Greater Manchester may incorporate elements of research, particularly in areas related to emerging game technologies, innovative game design methodologies, and the application of new technologies like VR/AR in gaming. Faculty with research interests in these areas may supervise student projects and encourage exploration of cutting-edge concepts within the field. The program aims to foster a spirit of inquiry and innovation in game development.
Industry Engagement: Recognizing the importance of industry relevance, the MA Games Development program often incorporates strong links with the games industry. This may include guest lectures from game development professionals, workshops utilizing industry-standard game engines and tools, opportunities for portfolio reviews by industry experts, and potential for internships or collaborative projects with game development studios. The program aims to equip graduates with the practical skills and industry insights that are highly valued by employers in the games sector.
Global Perspective: The games industry is inherently global, with development teams and markets spanning the world. The MA Games Development program may incorporate a global perspective by examining international trends in game design and technology, exploring the cultural and economic factors that influence game development in different regions, and considering the global market for video games. The diverse student body, including international students, can further enrich the learning environment by bringing different perspectives on game design and player experiences from around the world.
Location
Bolton
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 15950
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 79.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Greater Manchester offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence and assist students in pursuing their studies in the UK.
Global Futures Scholarships: The university provides the Global Futures Scholarships, which offer financial support to international students. These scholarships are available to both undergraduate and master's students holding an offer for full-time study on campus in Manchester.
Equity and Merit Scholarships: The university offers Equity and Merit Scholarships to academically excellent international students. These scholarships are available to postgraduate taught students commencing their studies. The scholarships aim to support students who demonstrate strong academic performance and their chosen field of study.
Engineering the Future Scholarships: The School of Engineering at the University of Greater Manchester provides scholarship awards to academically excellent international students commencing their postgraduate taught studies. These scholarships aim to support students pursuing careers in engineering and related fields.
Graduates from the MA Games Development program at the University of Greater Manchester acquire a specialized and highly sought-after skillset, positioning them for a variety of creative and technical roles within the dynamic global games industry.
Game Designer: Graduates can lead the creative vision of a game, designing gameplay mechanics, rules, and user experiences, and ensuring an engaging and enjoyable player journey.
Game Programmer: Utilizing their advanced programming skills, graduates can develop the underlying systems and logic that bring games to life, working with game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine.
3D Artist/Animator: Graduates with a strong artistic background can create visually stunning characters, environments, and animations that define the aesthetic and immersive quality of games.
Level Designer: Specializing in crafting engaging and challenging game environments, graduates design the layouts, obstacles, and interactive elements that players navigate.
Technical Artist: Bridging the gap between art and programming, graduates can optimize art assets for game engines, develop pipelines, and create visual effects.
AI Programmer: Graduates with expertise in artificial intelligence can design and implement the behaviors of non-player characters (NPCs) and other intelligent systems within games.
Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) Developer: Specializing in immersive technologies, graduates can create interactive experiences for VR and AR platforms within the gaming and entertainment sectors.
Game Producer: Graduates with strong organizational and project management skills can oversee the entire game development process, ensuring the team stays on schedule and within budget.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester (with progression potential): While often an entry-level role, a Master's degree provides a strong foundation for rapid progression within QA, leading to roles in test design and management.
Independent Game Developer: Equipped with a comprehensive understanding of game development, graduates can pursue their passion by creating and publishing their own independent games.
