MA Computer Games: Art & Design

This MA is tailored for people who want to start a career in the game industry. One of the only programmes in the UK taught by actual game developers, it will teach you game design, art and animation, and game programming, and has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and business.

• Learn to design and develop games using state-of-the-art tools and game engines from actual game developers and industry veterans.
• Focus on which skills you want to learn, through a selection of option modules you can choose from.
• Collaborate with colleagues from other courses, including the MSc Computer Games Programming and the MA Games and Playful Design.
• Build your portfolio through practical coursework.
• Access state of the art game labs and facilities.
• Get your first internship in the game industry (or work on a research project instead).
• Take part in the many events and game jams we organise every year, and be part of the creative and diverse environment that surrounds Goldsmiths.
• Access the strong UK community of publishers and creators with innovative voices creating ground-breaking titles.
• As a fast-growing 150-billion-dollar business, the game industry offers countless professional opportunities. The MA Computer Games: Art & Design is right for you if you want to make game development a sustainable career and to work in this creative and rewarding industry.
• This is also one of the only programmes taught by actual game developers, designers, and artists with years of experience in the game industry.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact the programme leader, Alan Zucconi.

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second-class standard in a relevant/related subject, such as Game Design/Development, Art, Design, 3D Modelling, Animation or Computer Science.

You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

In some instances, we may ask to see more of your work or to conduct a short interview.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Where this degree can take you

Our programme opens up multiple career options including:

• 2D and 3D Modeller or animator for the Games, XR, Film and TV Special Effects Industry (Art and Design Pathway)
• Programmer in the Games Industry, including casual, mobile, PC and console games (Programming Pathway)
• Computer Games Designer or Level designer in the Games Industry, including casual, mobile, PC and console games (Programming Pathway)
• Producer in a Games Development Company, leading to senior management roles
• Creative Lead at robotics development company for entertainment industry
• Computer Games Developer for the Serious Games and Gamification Sectors
• Creative Games and Interactive Technical Lead in an Advertising Agency
• Creative Director Role in small or medium company

Industry links

As part of the MA, students may choose to do an internship with a games-related company. Over the years we worked closely with industry leaders and game studios to offer industry placements.

Many internships result in permanent positions, and almost 100% of our graduates find work four to five months after finishing the programme. Some have gone on to work in major studios like EA, Ubisoft, Sony, Creative Assembly, Microsoft, Cinesite, Framestore, Splash Damage, Rebellion Studios, Mediatonic, Frontier, Supermassive and Roll7, as well as getting funded for start-ups such as Terrardhard.

We have dedicated employability resource within the department to build employer relations and manage additional initiatives to support your future career opportunities, including regular communication of external opportunities for mentoring and work experience and an annual Career week (a focussed week of career support every June in the department where you can access alumni panels by programme and a range of industry talks).