Level up your development prowess with this BSc (Hons) top-up degree in games development. It prepares you for employment in the games industry, producer job roles and surrounding industries with a programming-based environment. You will focus on a variety of fields within game development, learning advanced techniques and skills using industry-standard software, techniques and workflows. It also allows you to use core language principles, such as C++ and UE4 Blueprints, to enrich and add depth to games within a game engine context.
In 2021, the Games market generated a total of $180.3 billion, with $93.2 billion belonging to the Mobile Game market. It was estimated that these revenues were driven by 3 billion players. According to UKIE, 19% of Job Roles within the Games Industry are related to Development and Games Design related fields. With 78% of employees having a Bachelor's degree in which 55% of these degrees are within the Games/STEM field.
Working with
TYPICAL OFFER
Foundation Degree: 50% module average on the second year of an FD in a relevant subject.
HND: Merit grade in a relevant subject.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
Develop interactive and fully crafted mechanics and projects using advanced practices in the game industry. The Major Project module will enable you to pursue a problem related to your own interest, using your creative and critical thinking skills to produce a working solution. Throughout the year, you will participate in a group project that simulates workplace practices, allowing you to further build your team-working and professional skills. You will also develop and build a game through all of its core production stages alongside Games Art and Games Programming peers.
The topics this course covers include:
To reflect industry practice we promote the use of agile workflows and promote events such as Game Jams and Game Societies. We focus on employability, so work is tailored to match and meet industry standards whilst also adopting industry workflows. We emphasise personal development, encouraging you to work with industry-standard software, tools and artwork.
This course is validated by The Open University
If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.
The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.
The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
How to Apply:
To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.
Apply Now: Direct Application Form
Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.
If you are:
you can make an application directly to us for this course.
To make your application, use the below link and register for an application account via the Create a New User facility. You will then be sent an email to the email address you provided when registering for an account, on which you will need to click the link to verify your email address.
Once you have created an account, you will then be able to start and save your application, should you not be able to complete it all in one go. Please note that your username is the email address you provided when registering for an account.
To access your account again should you need to complete and submit your application form, simply use the second link provided in your verification email.
To register for an application account please use the following link and use the Create a New User facility:
Internal Students - Direct Application Form
For further information in regards to this please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk
Level 6
Independent Game Development (20 Credits)
As an indie developer, you will work using the multi-disciplines required of such a role. You will utilise these core skills to develop your own idea, incorporating theory, programming and artistic skills to create a developed project.
Game Development Portfolio (20 Credits)This module aims to focus your practice into the branding and promotion of yourself as a developer. These skills are varied, depending on the area you want to focus on within the industry. This module allows for the creation of a public identity and platform to sell your ideas and skills.
Team Project (20 Credits)
This module focuses on the group working element of game creation. Working as a group is a paramount skill in being successful within the games industry; therefore, you will work with games artists, developers and programmers to create a complex game.
Research (20 Credits)
Every design decision reflects the ideological, technological and historical context of production; and this module encourages you to directly address these design constructs. You will conduct independent research into this issue, locating their problem in a theoretical context, with reference to existing exploration by practitioners and theorists.
Major Project (40 Credits)
The Major Project provides you with a period of sustained engagement with a chosen field of expertise. It also provides you with the opportunity to showcase your specialist and practical skills. You will also develop your theoretical skills by selecting, evaluating and analysing a pertinent issue within the contemporary computer games industry.
You will be given the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects, developing skills in the specialism of Game Development. You will look at the advanced development techniques required to create well-developed, creative game mechanics, worlds and experiences.
You will also develop skills in implementing assets and gameplay functions within multiple engines to create industry-standard gameplay mechanics. There is heavy emphasis on team working and producing high-quality, thought-out games with the support of tools created by programming peers. Throughout the year, you will be preparing and creating work to be showcased within a portfolio.
You will develop the following skills:
Benefits include:
You will also develop your problem-solving, learning to appreciate and apply advanced techniques in the creation and development of games. You will become a well-versed industry professional, developing techniques and production skills that can be used across industries, such as Game Developer, Game Producer, Project Manager, TV & Film, 3D Product Visualisation, Arch Vis and many others.
Modules will be formally assessed and graded through a range of methods, including:
This range of activities provides the opportunity for everyone to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout the course of their studies.
The course is delivered in purpose-built suites at the University Centre.
TYPICAL OFFER
Foundation Degree: 50% module average on the second year of an FD in a relevant subject.
HND: Merit grade in a relevant subject.
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria.
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL Claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).
On completion of this top-up degree you can progress to a Masters or seek relevant employment which may include:
For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.
For the latest version of the course handbook for this course please click here.
For the latest version of The Open University regulations please click here.
Applications are open for 2025 entry.
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.
You can also apply through UCAS.
For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)
Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
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