Level 6

Games Design BSc (Hons)

Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
3 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2024
£8000 per year * Centre for Digital Technologies – Basildon
Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
3 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2024
£8000 per year * Centre for Digital Technologies – Basildon
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Overview

Course code: WG24

Please note: This course description was updated 03-07-2023

The programme will prepare you for the exciting world of the games industry. The course is structured on the game design and development pipeline and will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to realise your goals. State-of the-art games design and graphics software will enable you to become a highly competent designer or developer, focusing on either games design systems, concept art, digital sculpting, 3D modelling, animation, motion capture, programming, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, etc.

Why study this degree at University Centre South Essex?

  • The course offers a mixture of creative and technical skills
  • You will cover the entire process of creating a game from idea generation, creating assets & characters, animations, scripting and publishing. The concept is “Paper to Publish”.
  • You will attend range of industry tours ,events, workshops. E.g. Vertex, Bluegfx and Expo16
  • Our software always being updated to match industry standards.
  • You will gain new skills looking at virtual reality, augmented reality and machine learning

The BSc (Hons) Games Design degree programme is designed to allow the development of skills required for; concept development and planning, environment & character design, rigging, animation using motion capture, game design and development. The core principle of the program is “paper to publish” where you will learn the full process of game making and tools and tech used in this programme are delivered to industry standards. On completion of this programme, you should be able to progress into industry in a variety of creative and technical roles.

Our strength is in our determination to provide a pro-active, creative atmosphere, that is responsive to current and future working practices. We run a small tight-knit course of around twenty students in each year, this allows us to really get to know our students and support them.

Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following:

  • A Levels
  • T Levels
  • BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma
  • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • Or equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • And English GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C) 

This list is not exhaustive, other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work,
personal statement and reference.

Course Structure

Year one units

  • Project Planning
  • Historical and Contextual Studies
  • 3D Modelling and Texturing
  • Programming

Year two units

  • Game Prototype
  • Game Animations
  • Professional and Cultural Development
  • Mobile Game Prototype

Year three units

  • Dissertation Project
  • Final Project 
  • Games Management

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration, though we endeavour to let you know an outline as soon as possible. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Typically year groups are expected to attend for 13 hours a week spread over two and a half days. We expect you to build on this learning through Independent Study for at least a similar period. For this time we usually have space available within the campus or at the Forum in Southend.

Guest speakers

Students benefit from several guest speakers from industry, including professionals from TT Games, Creative Assembly, ILM, Framestore and ifour.

Field trips

You will have the opportunity to visit games studios and events in UK , France and Germany.

Live briefs

Every year Games Jam competition is organised and for Every two to three months mini competitions organised where you will undertake a 'one / three hour challenge' to create :

  • Sculpt a Character
  • Create a Game asset
  • Programming, etc.

Teaching & Learning

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of the discipline of Games Design.

HE Games is supported with high powered computers with own dedicated HE Games area which is accessible to HE students anytime with latest and updated software's and tools to work smoothly and fast. The students have access to hardware such as Game Consoles, Oculus and SDK (for VR), Motion capture, 3D printers, Wacom tablets etc.

At Level 4 you typically have around 13 hours contact time per week, typically consisting of:

  • Four hours of lectures/seminars
  • Six hours of workshops (including dedicated one-to-one tutorials when necessary)
  • Two hours of Contextual Studies (either lecture or one-to-one tutorial)
  • One hour group tutorials

Units are delivered through avariety of methods of teaching and learning. These will include:

  • Technical demonstrations - designed to provide essential inductions to print and graphics resources and to support the acquisition of essential skills
  • Small group teaching - studio based group sessions which are led by a tutor
  • Group critiques - will usually occur towards the end of a unit before assessment
  • Individual tutorials - The tutor will ask key questions regarding your project and offer advice and suggestions regarding future development
  • Independent research and studio practice - during the unit students are expected to follow up on suggested directions regarding project direction

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars and workshops or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations. A range of excellent facilities, including the library, the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum, supports your independent learning.

Assessment & Feedback

Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including:

  • Portfolio and sketchbook submissions
  • Group presentations
  • Written essays
  • Research folders

There are no examinations.

Feedback

You will receive formative feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers. You will also receive summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader tutor. Feedback can be given in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback.

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in (for al formal studio based coursework assessment). For the third year Dissertation Unit you will receive feedback and grades at the same time as your Final Creative Output unit.

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £8000 per year

Fees are per academic year for home/UK students.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

  • Guest speakers, visiting lecturers and industry focussed workshops will be included in your course over the three years.
  • Third Year students will have the opportunity to showcase their final year work at the end of their studies. This may be a local, national or online platform. Event/exhibition costs will be covered by the Faculty of HE. In the past this has included Vertex. Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with the production of their personal project (ie: printing, materials).
  • Annual £20 of printing credit per year.

Additional course costs can be found here

What Next...

As a BSc (Hons) Games Design graduate you will be prepared for employment in the creative industries such as the computers games, film and TV, visual effects and broadcast industries. In addition to this graduates could pursue software development opportunities. You may also wish to continue your studies at Masters level, to specialist postgraduate design programmes, or alternatively to professional teacher training courses.

We also offer a postgraduate support programme for Games Design graduates which gives them continued access to facilities and tutors after they leave the College to help them hone their skills for employment.

Graduate destinations

Students have progressed to a range of companies, not just in games development. Graduates progress into games and effects studios, but also animation, rigging TDs and motion capture. Typical graduate jobs include:

  • Concept Artist
  • Environment Artist
  • Character Artist
  • Game Developer
  • Game Designer
  • App Developer
  • Motion capture animator

Typical examples of jobs graduates progress onto include:

  • MSc Computer Games Technology
  • MSc Computer Game Engineering
  • MSc Games Development
  • MSc Computer Games Systems
  • MSc Computer Science