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Explore the imaginative world of computer game design and gain a holistic overview of this thriving industry on Keele's Game Design BA. You will develop a portfolio of professional work and gain specialist expertise to give you a range of skills and experiences upon graduation.
The course is designed for those who are interested in exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of games design, including 3D modelling, animation, and creative storytelling. It provides an opportunity for you to develop the collaborative, and technical skills to produce exciting new computer games. It will introduce you to key principles of game design, from creating characters and virtual worlds, scripting and programming, to designing the sounds and graphics that make for entertaining and engaging games.
You will learn from academic and industry experts, and you can choose to undertake work placements that give you the opportunity to apply the skills you have gained on the course to professional contexts. You will also study the games industry, learning about relevant commercial, cultural, and regulatory frameworks.
In year one you will explore game design theory and history, and develop your understanding of the principles and practices of crafting games. You will examine the different elements that come together to shape a great gaming experience and acquire foundational programming skills, with the option to pursue more advanced programming for games in later years. You will start to generate your own ideas for games, learn about choice-based storytelling techniques and recognise the importance of narrative in game creation.
Your second year develops your theoretical understanding, and advances your creative and collaborative skills in games visuals and art, sound design, levelling, and world-building. You will discover the pipelines and processes used in prototyping games and gain further hands-on experience of creating 2D and 3D assets. Specialist skills such as filtering and spectral domain techniques will give you the tools for creative projects such as foley effects and computer game soundtracks.
Progression into your final year will see you focus on applying many of the skills you have learnt in years one and two through working as part of a team to create an industry-standard game product. In this year, we turn to thinking about how you could use the skills you have acquired, to provide you with a solid understanding of industry techniques that you can utilise in the conception, design, and testing of your game ideas. You will understand how games are monetised and marketed, how to work with users and audiences to finesse products, and develop transferable professional skills that will prepare you for success upon graduation.
Throughout the course, alongside your core grounding in Game Design, you can take optional modules in subjects including Film Studies, Computer Science, Sound Design, Digital Media, Esports Business Management, and Modern Languages, meaning you can follow your own interests and make yourself stand out. You can also undertake a work placement in the second and/or third year, as well as choose to do a work placement or international study year between years two and three. Studying abroad for one semester is also an option.
Our multinational and professional academic staff have a range of specialisms in creative practice and critical theory, and all our research-active staff have international and world-class reputations.
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Choosing a work placement year between your second and third year is a fantastic way to gain industry experience. It can provide a valuable insight into what working in a specific area of business is like, and gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the professional working environment plus develop professional networks. A work placement also provides you with the opportunity to apply the theory you have learnt on your degree course.
*Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes, students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would therefore need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements, that they can undertake.
In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year or a semester studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enables you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks.
It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.
During your time studying on the Game Design BA at Keele you will have access to a wide range of support. You will be allocated an Academic Mentor at the start of year one, who you will meet on a regular basis. They will review your progress on the programme and act as a first point of contact for other issues such as pastoral support. Academics who will be teaching you on this programme can also provide guidance about specific modules.
Our Student Experience and Support Team, part of the University's Student Services Department work closely with teams across the University so you can easily access any help that you may need. You will also have access to advice from support from: