MA Games Development

at University of Bolton

Overall, the course is project-based and intensely practical in nature. You will be expected to take part in various types of projects that are appropriate to a small group of independent video game developers, working in groups with your peers. Throughout your studies, you will have access to the various members of our games team, so you can benefit from a range of different help and advice. Where new material, concepts and techniques are being introduced, we will offer teaching and learning support to help you absorb those new ideas.
 

Normally, you will be expected to work full-time on one project at a time. By undertaking projects sequentially, you will have opportunities to reflect on the outcome of each project by means of a ‘post-mortem’. This might take the form of a viva or written report or both. Our games tutors will then be able to consider and address any issues you experienced before defining the content and scope of your subsequent projects.
 

During your time on the MA Games Development course, you’ll have regular support from the Programme Leader. A weekly one-to-one drop-in session with your Personal Tutor is also available, so you can discuss any issues you’re experiencing.
 

Our assessment strategy is designed to be flexible; where possible, a student who fails to achieve a learning outcome on one project will be given the opportunity to achieve that learning outcome on a subsequent project. The projects form the basis of the assessment for this course. In particular, you will be asked to provide your reflection on the outcomes of each project. The form of this reflection will vary, but will typically involve a report and a viva.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Specification and professional practice
• Work for hire project
• Console Development Project
• Exhibition Project
• Dissertation project
   

• You should have a Second Class UK Honours degree (2:2) or above, or an equivalent qualification, in an appropriate games-focused subject area that included significant game creation content.
• We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £12,950

You will gain extensive experience of designing and creating computer games, working in small teams and independently. You will develop clear and demonstrable skills in project management, team working, communication, leadership and negotiation, and utilise industry-standard tools and techniques including HTC Vive and the Apple iOS Developer Programme.
 

You will graduate with at least one personal credit on a published game. You will also be exposed to running an indie company, developing your entrepreneurial skills and business knowledge which will support you as an independent developer or to support your career in a larger games development studio. Moreover, the emerging field of ‘gamification’ – using game elements, design and principles in fields such as business, education and healthcare – offers enormous potential for games graduates with a flair for introducing fun into mundane tasks.