On BA Games Design & Art you’ll gain an understanding of the whole games design and development process, graduating with skills that you can apply in any part of the games industry, from small studios to major games publishers. Unlike many games design courses, it is based in an art school rather than a computer science department, allowing you to work creatively while gaining essential technical skills. Through studio work you’ll have the chance to apply design thinking to games, explore concepts you are passionate about and make the games you want to make. These might be games that offer an immersive experience, make people think differently about an issue, generate team-based fun or offer pure escapism. Broad in its scope, the course covers the spectrum of gaming, from physical games and board games to video and virtual reality games. Working closely with your peers in a small, close-knit class, you’ll collaborate, inspire one another and discover your strengths. Studio work is set up to simulate the approach of independent (indie) design companies; working on group projects, you’ll experience different design team roles and learn how to pitch and market your ideas. In addition, guest lectures by successful games entrepreneurs and opportunities to present your own games to industry will give you a head start as you enter this dynamic sector.
Course Details - Modules
Typical core modules include: Interrogate, Investigate, Instigate; Critical, Cultural and Contextual Studies; Iterate and Prototype; Game Changers; Games Development; The Business of Games; Professional Contexts; Playful Thinking; Major Project.
Optional modules include: Business Skills for the Creative Industries; Creative Writing; Creative Future; Image and Branding; Sight and Sound; Visual Culture.
Course Details – Assessment Method
The course is mainly studio-based, with an emphasis on hands-on collaborative project work. In addition you’ll learn through practical workshops, lectures, seminars and one-to-one tutorials. Guest lectures and visits to games design studios will give you additional insights into industry issues, while visits to museums such as the Design Museum in London offer new perspectives on design thinking. Regular feedback from your tutors and peers will help you to keep your studies on track.
Digital learning tools are embedded into the course; for example we use online collaboration platforms, polling software and instant message systems to work collaboratively and feedback, we capture videos of seminars and workshops to support learning. You’ll also create your own web-based portfolio.
You’ll be assessed on your coursework, which will include portfolios showing evidence of the development of your studio work and final project, and written assignments such as reflective and journalistic pieces.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
1L6F
Institution code:
S27
Campus Name:
Winchester School of Art
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
60 credits overall in an art related subject with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3. Out of the 45 credits at level 3, Distinction in 24 credits and Merit in 21 credits
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information.
Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level
Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma in an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
BBB from three A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
or
BB from two A levels including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
M2 M2 M2 in three principal subjects including an art, design, media, humanities or creative IT based subject
In addition to those qualifications listed, we also accept a pass in an Art & Design foundation programme.
We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard.
The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements.
For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.AH@southampton.ac.uk
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
IELTS (Academic)
6.0
with no component below 5.5
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
