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BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (top up)
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Entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
UCAS points A Level BTEC 112-120 BBC - BBB DMM- DDM Additional requirements
Successful completion of Foundation Degree/HND in a design discipline for example: Games Design, Games Art, Games Development, 2D and 3D Animation, Art & Design, Graphic Design, 3D Design, 3D Modelling, IT, Digital Technologies and Programming.
Provide evidence of Transcript at Level 4 and 5 from either a Foundation Degree, HND or BA (Hons) course.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio and interview.
Successful completion of Foundation Degree/HND in a design discipline for example: Games Design, Games Art, Games Development, 2D and 3D Animation, Art & Design, Graphic Design, 3D Design, 3D Modelling, IT, Digital Technologies and Programming.
Provide evidence of Transcript at Level 4 and 5 from either a Foundation Degree, HND or BA (Hons) course.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio and interview.
Successful completion of Foundation Degree/HND in a design discipline for example: Games Design, Games Art, Games Development, 2D and 3D Animation, Art & Design, Graphic Design, 3D Design, 3D Modelling, IT, Digital Technologies and Programming.
Provide evidence of Transcript at Level 4 and 5 from either a Foundation Degree, HND or BA (Hons) course.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio and interview.
- Top up your Foundation degree or HND to an Honours Degree within a year
- Benefit from HRC’s VR Development Room with Oculus, Vive and Omni-Treadmill
- Learn games design techniques through practical application
- Level 6
Module Credits Compulsory/optional Indie Developers 30 Credits Compulsory In this module, you will be directed to design and prepare to launch a small business with a focus on indie game development. You can investigate and assess market opportunities in an area of your choice exploring audience, comparing how other game businesses operate and contrasting business models. You will get the opportunity to decide upon which business opportunity your company responds to and develop a well organised business plan. This will underpin further development and knowledge about your own career path. This module is designed to provide you with an environment that closely resembles the release cycle of a video game developed in a small studio. You will be encouraged to study and understand the business operations of several major online proprietors as well as understand how to prepare your developed media for markets. You will be acquainted with Quality Assurance techniques as well as version control and project management software. Advanced Game Design 30 Credits Compulsory This module aims to advance and develop the processes involved in designing and developing interactive gameplay modes in video games and digital media. You will be encouraged to create, design, and further develop your knowledge in interactive gameplay modes by looking at the application of software and scripting in order to construct working prototypes. You will have the opportunity to research across multiple gaming platforms looking at how interactive gameplay modes like quests, combat, shop, and narrative systems are created within the industry. From this investigation you will be able to expand your understanding further with guidance from workshops and lectures linked to creating interactive gameplay systems, you will be directed to further research and broaden your own understanding of such systems which should culminate in creating your own dynamic and unique interactive gameplay system in a style and genre of your choosing. Reflection and analysis are pivotal throughout this process as well as experimentation within multiple gameplay systems. Final Major Project 60 Credits Compulsory The final major project module requires you to work independently to create their own project and to find appropriate methods and well-reasoned solutions through testing and argument for the project you have created. You will have to show a high level of commitment and awareness to their project as well as your intended demographic to ensure non-biased conclusions. Your project should encourage the development of practical skills and analytical awareness. Overall, it will provide you with the opportunity to carry out a project that allows you to practice to industry working standards and is relevant to your degree. Examples of potential employment opportunities are working for AAA/Indie gaming companies as a part of their division of developing or animating for games.
Why choose this course?
Already have a foundation degree or HND and looking to top-up your skills in game design and programming?
Grow your existing skill set with this innovative Games Design & Development top up course delivered by Hertford Regional College. This course has been expertly designed for the enthusiastic and creative individual with a foundation degree or HND in a design discipline seeking to advance their career in games development or related fields.
Enhance your personal toolkit of essential games design knowledge and skills. Challenge yourself to think critically and solve problems through a combination of theory and practical projects.
Over the course of the year, you will learn from industry experts who will bring their practical experience into the classroom to inform their teaching. The invaluable insights will broaden your understanding of key course concepts.
You will complete this course having gained a well-rounded design education that will make you stand out to employers. Having developed your technical knowledge and grown your professionalism and intellectual depth, you will be ready to succeed the professional world, wherever your career takes you.
What's the course about?
With a focus on ensuring you are prepared for the professional world, this course is highly informed by specific skills required by leading game developers. You will advance your creativity, improve your technical software skills, and deepen your industry knowledge. You will learn from a wide array of resource, analysing historical and contemporary references as well cultural and social contexts. With this, you will develop a well-rounded understanding of key concepts which will feed into your personal style.
There is the opportunity for you to take charge of what value you get from the programme, with options to specialise in designing, programming, modelling or animation. You will also be able to focus on your individual interests in any of these specialisms by producing a personal portfolio of your work to reflect industry and professional practice needs.
Outside of the classroom, you will also have the chance to get involved in co-curricular activities that will enhance your learning. One of such activities is the D&AD Games Design live-brief, where you can put your skills to practice through the creative excellence in design. Considered to be the world’s most prestigious benchmark for commercial creativity, the award gives you a chance to land a job in the creative industry by getting a head start while at university, gaining you the exposure needed to potentially kick start your own career path.
What will I study?
Teaching will be delivered through a mix of dynamic and interactive lectures and workshops. Your learning will be an engaging and enjoyable experience delivered through a variety of methods by highly skilled lecturers with industry experience. You will have a mix of practicals, workshops, face-to-face sessions, in-person industry talks and learning how to use new techniques and software, each carefully selected to provide you with unique and essential capabilities for the professional world.
Enhance your experiences of Games Design and Development principles across your year of study. You will study three modules that have been curated to grow your skillset in uniquely different and equally important ways. Learn the intricate details of gameplay mode creation with an end-to-end process from conceptualisation to prototyping and experimentation. You will also grow your knowledge of the business aspect of game creation, working on the distribution of a game on an online platform. You will conclude your study with a project that is tailored to your own interests and showcases your professional skills.
In addition to developing these key technical skills, your classes and assessments will help you to further develop analytical skills and encourage you to continuously reflect on your individual or group performance. This will ensure you are consistently improving on your methods to create appealing gaming experiences.
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What's next for my career?
Studying Games Design & Development will support your aspiration to take your career further. You will graduate with a range of specialist and transferrable skills that employers highly value.
Students who have completed this course will typically go on to pursue careers in computer game design and/or development, modelling or animation for gaming content or related applications in serious games or mobile. Some examples of positions some recent graduates now hold include:
- 3D Artist at Digital Media Technologies
- VFX Artist at Splash Damage
- Engineering and Art Department Intern at Rare Ltd
- Visual Effects Artist at Digital Salmon
- Level Designer at King Ltd
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Key staff
Kyle Broad
Certified Unity Programmer and Animator & Post-Production Designer within the industry for 8+ years.Patrick Robinson
Animator, Motion Designer and 3D Artist (Maya) within the industry for 6+ years. -
Further information - includes assessment method
Course fact sheets BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (Top Up) HRC Download Programme specifications BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (Top Up) HRC Download Additional information Sandwich placement or study abroad year
n/a
Applications open to international and EU students
No Course length
- Full Time, 3 Years
Location
- Hertford Regional College
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How to apply?
2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link 12/09/2024 31/05/2025 3 Hertford Regional College Apply online (Full Time) 2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link 12/09/2025 31/05/2026 3 Hertford Regional College Apply online (Full Time) -
Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £8250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
View detailed information about tuition fees
Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
Other financial support
Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students
Living costs / accommodation
The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.