Gain a degree in Games Design and Development, with an initial foundation year to prepare for the course.
Study your foundation year, then progress to the full degree
Develop important business skills from the very first day.
Undertake applied projects and explore different ways of working.

This foundation year has been designed to enhance your knowledge in advance of undergraduate study. You'll study a range of business-related topics, and apply your skills on rewarding projects and assignments. After completing your foundation, you'll have everything you need for full honours degree study, and progress directly onto the BSc Games Design and Development course.

Degree preparation

After the foundation year, you will be ready to start the full degree. BA Games Design and Development is an engaging, challenging course where you will work on real game development projects and develop your own creative approach, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources supported by the likes of Sony Playstation.

Live projects

The BA degree includes a range of professional development and work-based learning opportunities, including producing game concept and prototype pitches for commercial and other external clients, guest lectures from industry professionals and networking events. You will get opportunities to develop your own future strategy as a game professional whether that be freelancing, working as an independent game developer or working in a specific sector in the game or interactive media industries.

Networking opportunities

On the full degree, you will have the opportunity to engage with specialist visiting lecturers from the industry to show your work. A wide range of professional development and networking opportunities are supported by the Media Arts and Communications Department, such as the yearly Pathways event. We always seek to support and enable any student who obtains a placement to be able to take such opportunities.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Games Design and Development course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other Sheffield Business School foundation year students, then move on to the degree.

You will learn in a supportive, challenging and exciting environment. You will be based in Sheffield Business School — a vibrant, dynamic setting with excellent facilities located in the heart of the city.

You learn through

• lectures and seminars
• case studies
• presentations
• self-directed study
• work placements
• activities and events

In the foundation year, you'll study wider business topics, while specialising in your chosen subject area. You'll learn useful skills such as academic writing, work in diverse teams and learn to utilise a wide variety of data sources. In doing so, you'll fully prepare yourself for undergraduate study.

The full degree prepares you for a career in

• game designer
• game artist
• game producer

 

UCAS points

• 80

This must include at least 32 points from at least one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (to include a relevant subject, such as Art, Design, Design Technology, Textiles and Graphics). For example:

• CDD at A Level with a grade C in a relevant subject.
• MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.
• A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M in a relevant subject and may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 18 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a media-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Art and Design.

We treat the foundation year as part of the Art and Design degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Art and Design degrees.

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider either the International Foundation Programme: Art, Design and Media or Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a selection event with a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Find out about the selection process and how to produce a strong portfolio.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Important notice:

The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

 

Year 1 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Creative Synergies In Media Production	40	Coursework
Media In Context	20	Coursework
Media Project	40	Coursework
Preparing For Independent Practice And Study	20	Coursework

 

Year 2 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
3D Modelling	20	Coursework
Game Design Theory	20	Coursework
Game World Mechanics	20	Coursework
Level 4 Game Project	20	Coursework
Online Gaming Cultures	20	Coursework
Visual Concepts For Games 1	20	Practical

 

 

Year 3 Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Advanced Game Design Theory	20	Coursework
Experimental Game Practice	20	Coursework
Narrative Design	20	Coursework
Physical Games	20	Coursework
Professional Development Project	20	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Creative Sound Practice	20	Coursework
Introduction To Concept Art	20	Coursework
Virtual Reality Design	20	Coursework

 

Year 4 Optional modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Placement Year

 

Final Year Compulsory modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Creative Direction For Games	20	Practical
Final Game Project	40	Coursework
Game Professional Practice	20	Practical
User Interface Design For Games	20	Coursework

 

Elective modules
Module	Credits	Assessment
Game Studio Project	20	Coursework
Life Drawing	20	Coursework
Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice	20	Coursework
Visual Effects Project	20	Coursework