A unique opportunity to develop your skills for a career in contemporary games design, this course focuses on providing the connection between the Foundation Degree a full BA Honours Degree.

You will have the opportunity to study an aspect of game design which is of personal interest and you will be given the chance to develop a playable prototype.

Whilst on the course, you will attend the LCC Futures Lectures, a unique three day event attended by speakers form the Games and wider Digital Media and Entertainment industries.

You'll be taught by practicing individuals and professional academics who are leaders in their field. The course is always developing, with new tutors having experience and enthusiasm. Teaching staff are also engaged in a range of professional and research activities.

Assessment

The course is assessed through practical and written assignments, an integrative assignment and a major project. Some assignments are group-based and involve teamwork.

Award

University of the Arts London BA Honours Degree

Learning and teaching

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy. 

Assessment

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Units

• Contextual studies
• Personal & Professional Development
• Major Project Practical
• Major Project Dissertation
• Concept Prototyping

The Dissertation will enable you to develop research and analytical skills, deepen knowledge of a theoretical issue or a theme, and broaden the theoretical assumptions that inform creative practice. Personal & Professional Development will provide you with an opportunity to extend your presentation skills and help to develop a coherent strategy aimed at professional employment prospects through a final Reflective Report. The Dissertation and the Major Project are aimed at producing a body of work that not only reflects your creative abilities and understanding of Games Design but also serves as a portfolio of work for employment in the Design Industry or as creative practitioner in the visual arts.

Graduates of the course have gone on to work within the games industry in roles as Designers, Producers, Developers, 3D/2D Content Creators, Localization and Quality Assurance Management. Roles outside of the Games Specific industries include Web Development and 3D modellers.

Enterprise and employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) are dedicated to helping you build up work-relevant skills, knowledge, experience and networks throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL's informed engagement with their career and professional practice development and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the wide spectrum of possible professional pathways - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Find out more

ArtsTemps (SEE) is the UAL in-house recruitment agency placing students and graduates in paid temping roles within the University. 

Creative Opportunities (SEE) is the UAL job vacancy and work placement website for students and graduates and advertises hundreds of creative job and placement opportunities each month.

Get more information and advice on employment and creative careers for all UAL students and graduates.

Recruitment and admissions

Selection criteria

The aim of the admissions policy is to ensure that all applicants who can display the necessary vocational and intellectual abilities and motivation to benefit from studying are given equal opportunity to achieve a place on the course. It is also expected that successful applicants will fulfil the aims of the programme.

Students are admitted to the course having gained the necessary entry qualifications and on the basis of their potential to benefit from the programme. This means that you will need to demonstrate experience and a developed interest in games.

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements must provide evidence of experience which may be considered within the AP(E)L procedures.

All applications are read by members of the course team.

Admission procedures

1.1 An applicant will be considered for admission who has already achieved an educational level equivalent to a merit profile in Higher National Diploma, Higher Diploma and /or Foundation Degree. Successful completion of the Bridging Unit is a requirement for admission.

1.2 This educational level may be demonstrated by:
a) possession of the qualifications named in 1.1 above;
b) possession of equivalent qualifications;
c) prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required, or;
d) a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which taken together can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

English Language Ability
1.3 Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their competence in English to IELTS Level 6.0 for entry on to the BA Games Design course by the production of an IELTS Certificate or evidence of an equivalent level of achievement.

Admission with Academic Credit
1.4 An applicant may be considered for admission at a point in the course later than the start of the planned programme of study, provided that the applicant has fulfilled in a way judged to be equivalent, the requirements of the intended programme of study prior to the proposed point of entry.

1.5 In order for an applicant to be admitted under 1.4 above, the University must be satisfied that by successfully completing the remaining part of the course, the applicant would have fulfilled the objectives of the course and have the opportunity to attain the standard required for the award.

The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London.

Internal Applicants from the FDA will progress through the LCC Bridging Program.

External Applications will normally be made through UCAS.

Students for whom English is a second language will be required to demonstrate a level of written and spoken English that will enable them to participate fully in the activities specified in the course document.

Minimum UAL entry requirements

Find out more about the University's Regulations on Admissions.

Students should have completed the LCC bridging course which prepares applicants for entry to this BA 'top up' year.

Applications from current UK/EU University of the Arts London students should be made using the College UK / EU application form (PDF - 4MB).

Any UK/EU student applying from outside the University needs to apply through UCAS. If you are a UK or EU student please call +44 (0)20 7514 6599 or email info@lcc.arts.ac.uk for any admissions enquiries.

If you are a non-EU international student and you are unsure about how to apply, admission enquiries should be made through the International Office (call +44 (0)20 7514 8138).