BSc (Hons) Games Design (4 Years with Placement)

at Bournemouth University

Course details
On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry. We have an industrial advisory panel who offer guidance on course content. They regularly host guest talks and Q&A sessions for our students. We also have great hardware available to you on campus to ensure you can make the most of your studies with us. 

Contact hours and assessment
Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Year 1

Core units

• Games Design Principles: You will discover the basic principles of game design, as well as gain experience in collaborative working and sharing ideas.
• Digital Technologies: You will gain knowledge of a wide variety of technologies involved in the creation of a computer-based solution to a real world problem using several contemporary tools.
• Game Modelling Fundamentals: You will explore the theory and practice of 3D modelling with an emphasis on creating assets for real-time rendering, as used in the computer games industry.
• Level Design Fundamentals: You will explore the theoretical underpinning and good practice of creating functional, visually believable and convincing 3D game levels using an industry standard game engine.
• Lighting & Texturing: You will learn the specifics of texturing used in a modern game pipeline (e.g. bitmap and procedural texturing) as well as for the lighting design of modern computer games.
• Game Development Pipeline: You will discover the set of techniques and concepts related to the creation of a modern computer game using leading, industry-standard middleware products.

Year 2

Core units

• Storytelling and Narrative Development: You will develop skills in the development of narratives as a fundamental part of game design, and also discover the systems and theories that underpin interactive storytelling systems.
• Modelling for Animation: You will develop 3D modelling skills by appropriately applying different techniques to the concepts of 3D modelling for games animation (e.g. interpret 2D concepts and create the corresponding 3D models ready for rigging).
• Interface Design: You will explore interaction techniques as involved in the current and near future computer games, through the principles of human-computer interaction.
• Animation for Games: You will acquire an overview of the state of the art for contemporary animation approaches for games as well as develop animation skills to animate character models expressing convincing attitudes, under given circumstances and modulated by attributed personality traits.
• Game Studio Project: You will experience the practicalities of working in a team, simulating a real world games studio, in order to plan, design and implement a computer game from concept ideas and all the way to release stage.
• Commercialisation & Business Environments: You will develop the fundamental commercial and professional skills and knowledge needed to successfully establish and operate a business within the creative industry sector.

Optional Placement Year

You have the option to complete either an optional 4-week placement or a minimum 30-week work placement year which can be carried out anywhere in the world. The placement year offers a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.

Final Year

Core units

• Individual Project: You will apply the methods and techniques to develop your major individual project, through surveying research literature to identify suitable topics for investigation, developing of a formal specification; and critically evaluating the project.
• Usability & Games Analytics: You will discover the essential user experience principles allowing one to draw firm conclusions on the game players' experience for future game design by effectively evaluating a variety of game-derived data.
• Pervasive Gaming: You will develop knowledge of current and emerging gaming technologies for various types of pervasive games by exploring their supporting platforms and contexts.
• Innovation, Enterprise & Business Development: You will discover the possibilities of developing your own innovative business ideas, by exploring opportunities for enterprise and innovation through preparing a detailed, professional business proposal.

This course requires 104–120 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. We are happy to consider a combination of qualifications and grades to meet the overall tariff, for example A-levels A*CC, ABC, BBB or BCC, BTECs DDM or DMM. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2022 and September 2023 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Additional costs
We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Information about funding your placement year can be found on our website.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

The computer games industry is continuing to expand at a rapid rate. This course will help you develop all the skills you need to enter this fast-paced and exciting industry.

We have links with games companies locally, nationally and internationally, allowing you to make contacts before you graduate.