BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design

Your degree in Game Arts and Design could lead to a career as a game artist, 3D modeler, gameplay coder, level designer, technical game designer, technical artist, producer, or many other roles in the games industry. Your transferable creative and technology skills could also lead to employment as a designer, programmer or producer in other creative and tech industries. What can you do with a game arts and digital media design degree? 

• Year 1

• Get straight into learning the art and coding skills you need as a game designer. You are introduced to 2D design and 3D modelling software, game engines and gameplay coding. Bring your drawings to life with animation and interactivity, and create your first 3D models and games. Learn about storytelling and build your own gaming hardware. 

  Core modules

  • Disruptive Design Strategies (DAT441)

    This module introduces students to practical and creative processes that encourage experimentation and prepare for HE workflows. Through conceptual understanding of artistic practice combined with technical production skills in a range of areas, such as 2D and 3D design, facilitate by industry standard design software.

  • Stage 1 Placement Preparation (FAPY100)

    If you’re undertaking a company placement in your third year, this module helps you find a suitable placement, and prepares you for the placement itself.

  • Introduction to Immersion (GAD442)

    This module introduces issues and techniques involved in designing and developing immersive experiences. Students will be introduced to rapid prototyping to explore a wide range of immersive elements within game design, exploring what immersion is and how the audio-visual elements of video games contribute to worldbuilding and user experience.

  • Game Programming (GAD443)

    This module introduces coding for game designers, explored through the creation of a playful interactive project. Working with programming languages and game engines, students learn to use code to make their drawings and animations come to life with dynamic and interactive behaviours. Key programming concepts such as variables and conditional logic, are introduced alongside relevant game studies topics. Students will apply what they have learnt to solve problems and create engaging gameplay.

  • Interactive Narrative (GAD444)

    You will explore interactive storytelling and animation / sequence creation within your work via a range of traditional and digital media and formats. Storytelling, narrative pacing, creative writing and animation are features of this module. Critical reflective writing underpins practical work.

  • Character and Environment Design (GAD445)

    Students create character and environment concepts as digital paintings, and realise their designs as detailed animated 3D models. Drawing and painting skills are developed, exploring figure, proportion, lighting, colour and anatomy. Students learn advanced modelling and texturing skills using state-of-the-art software platforms, rigging their characters for animation, and exporting them to game engines. In addition, students develop presentation skills and showcase their work in a digital portfolio.

• Year 2

• Master more advanced 3D modelling and game programming techniques, and hone your level design skills. Learn about working in the creative industries from visiting speakers, and work with Illustration students to further develop your drawing skills.

  Core modules

  • Level Design (GAD551)

    This module focuses on designing virtual environments and game levels. Students will consider the ludic and narrative role of level design and apply these to the production of an interactive game environment. Students will be presented with a variety of theoretical frameworks that will help them better understand human cognitive processes and thus aid them in designing and creating more engaging game levels.

  • Game Development (GAD553)

    This module builds on the game development skills learned to this point and applies them to working with a range of different game genres. Students work as individuals or small teams to propose and develop an interactive experience, creating a reflective design journal on the development process. To accompany this, students will research and explore a chosen role within the games industry.

  • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (FAPY501)

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme or are looking for other work opportunities. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (FAPY100) and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and/or other work experience and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • Virtuality & Immersion (DAT552)

    This module provides a firm introduction to virtuality and immersion – augmented reality, virtual reality, and dome environments. During this module, students explore and utilize a range of immersive technologies and design practices on subjects such as scientific simulation, virtual heritage, architectural visualization, and more. Techniques like 3D capture and photogrammetry are also introduced, and a range of resources are provided, such as AR and VR headsets, for developing complete immersive solutions, applications, and artworks. The module is optional, and it is recommended for students that are interested in pursuing specialization on immersive media.

  • Common Challenge: Creative Industries (DAT554)

    This module offers a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary creative industries. It explores the dynamic changes in key sectors that are brought about by the impact of new media technologies, quantified by a written response to the given context. Students will also in this module engage through a group research and development project to provide a speculative but achievable solution to a brief. Where possible this will be a live client.

• Placement year (optional)

• An optional paid 48-week work placement offers invaluable practical work experience. We recommend pursuing a placement, as it enhances your final year of study and improves your employability on graduation.

  Core modules

  • Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement (FAPY604)

    An extend period of professional training (at least the duration of both teaching semesters - 36 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company (either a paid placement or unpaid internship). This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• Final year

• Focus on your own particular areas of interest by selecting from a range of optional modules and set your creativity free in your epic final year project.

  Core modules

  • Gameplay (DAT663)

    This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to video game design. Students will showcase the developed prototypes at a public games showcase event at the end of term.

  • Final Year Project (GAD669)

    The Final Year Project (FYP) is student-led, negotiated through close liaison with an allocated supervisor. Students will create a creative, industry-standard and/or experimental piece of work that demonstrates their practical and theoretical skills in a given field or specialism. The students work will then be promoted and displayed at the end of year show, with the students helping to promote and organise the event.

  • Common Dissertation: Critical Practices (ADA600)

    The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

  Optional modules

  • Realtime (DAT661)

    This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to a public exhibition space with a predefined theme. Students will draw from a variety of sources, disciplines and media that they have explore to this point on the course.

  • Everyware (DAT662)

    Through practical project work the module explores the evolution of the Internet of Things, the emergence of Pervasive Media and the application of Physical Computing. Projects are framed within a critical exploration of space as a cultural, social and technological phenomenon and models of architecture, communities and personal identity.

  • Venture Culture (DAT664)

    This module introduces students to the concepts of entrepreneurship through the practical exploration of individual, collaborative and organisational creative enterprise. Operating as a pragmatic vehicle for generating new ventures within the creative industries, the formation of prototype companies enables students to rehearse the commercialisation of their practice.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design programme specification_5837

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

A level
A minimum of 2 A levels; General Studies accepted.

International Baccalaureate
28 points.

18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
DMM.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification, it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

All access courses
Pass a named Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferably art and design or combined), with at least 33 credits at merit and/or distinction.

T level
Merit in digital production, design and development.

GCSE
Mathematics and English Language grade C.

Other
Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

English language requirements 

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications, please refer to our tariff glossary.

Portfolio
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio, with an optional informal interview, for entry onto this course. If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Team; drop us an email at applications@plymouth.ac.uk or alternatively give us a call on +44 1752 585858.

Learn more about submitting your portfolio.

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.