Games Design and Art (BA)
    Go to University of Southampton

    Games Design and Art (BA)

    University of Southampton
    University of Southampton
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Southampton
    University Rank:#87
    Go to Official Website
    Duration3 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 34,292 / Year
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026
    Games Design and Art (BA)

    About

    Combine the creative side of games design with essential technical knowledge. If you want to make unique new games and take your ambitious ideas into emerging games markets, platforms and spaces, this is the programme for you. You’ll cover design, illustration, character creation, animation and storytelling, as well as coding and digital production.

    You’ll work in your own studios on campus as part of a vibrant, creative environment designed to mirror the collaborative practices of games companies and the creative industries.

    You’ll learn to apply design-thinking to the creation of brand new games and refine them through research-led creative investigation, making, prototyping and user testing.

    You’ll explore the full spectrum of gaming, including screen-based (video) games, augmented and virtual reality game-making, alongside the physical production of products such as location-based games, board games, card games and escape rooms. You’ll also cover the emerging fields of purposeful games and serious games, and explore how games can be designed to have social impact and cultural significance.

    Throughout your studies you’ll work with your peers in a small, close-knit studio environment. You’ll collaborate and inspire one another, and discover your strengths. You’ll gain a range of skills including illustration, character design and storytelling as well as coding and digital production.

    Your course includes:

    • pitching your ideas and prototypes to industry
    • visits to innovative games studios such as Hello Games, Sensible Object, ustwo games and Sennep games
    • visits to game conferences
    • workshops and advice on your projects from industry
    • live projects with progressive organisations looking to utilise game theory and game design such as National Air Traffic Control, IBM and the Royal Society of Public Health
    • showcasing your projects at external events such as our London show and other globally recognised games events
    • testing and gathering feedback on your ideas with real players

    As part of your course you can choose to:

    We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

    Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    For Academic year 202425

    A-levels

    BBB including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    A-levels additional information

    A Level offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

    A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

    If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBC and grade A in the EPQ.

    A-levels contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
    BBC including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    or

    International Baccalaureate Diploma

    Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    International Baccalaureate contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

    Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

    or

    BTEC

    Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    RQF BTEC

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    QCF BTEC

    Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject Distinction in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    or
    Show more entry requirements
    Access to HE Diploma
    Irish Leaving Certificate
    Scottish Qualification offers
    Cambridge Pre-U
    Welsh Baccalaureate
    T Level

    Access to HE Diploma

    60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 24 must be at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit, including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    Irish Leaving Certificate

    Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

    H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

    B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B2 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    Scottish Qualification

    Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

    Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

    Cambridge Pre-U

    M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject

    Welsh Baccalaureate

    BBB from 3 A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject or BB from two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

    Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

    Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

    Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    T-Level

    T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development at Merit overall with B in Core and Merit in Specialism.

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5

    Career

    Careers

    You can use this degree to work in any area of the games industry, or create and market your own games. Thanks to the reputation of our course and our strong links with industry, companies often approach us and offer internships to our students.

    Recent examples include:

    • a games designer and artist internship at the Royal Society of Public Health - for a prototype of a gamified healthcare app
    • an internship with the education technology startup MangaHigh - which led to full-time employment after the student’s game idea was commissioned
    • an internship - followed by employment as a games designer and developer on AlphaPutt, an iOS game
    • a number of games designer roles within University of Southampton research bids and projects, such as the Southampton General Hospital and Aspire Awards

    Your degree can lead to a variety of roles, including:

    • games designer
    • 2D or 3D games artist
    • games maker
    • user experience/user interaction designer
    • mobile and app designer
    • project manager

    We focus on your employability throughout your studies by offering:

    • ongoing advice from tutors with extensive design experience
    • careers events to introduce you to potential employers

    Careers services at Southampton

    We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

    • work experience schemes
    • CV and interview skills and workshops
    • networking events
    • careers fairs attended by top employers
    • a wealth of volunteering opportunities
    • study abroad and summer school opportunities

    We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

    Work in industry

    As part of your course, you can choose to take a year-long paid placement within the games and creative industries.

    During your placement, you can apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed during your degree, and gain vital professional experience.

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    34,292 / year
    Games Design and Art (BA)
    University of Southampton
    University of Southampton
    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Southampton

    Go to Official Website
    WhatsApp student consultation with YouApply