Course overview
A computer games designer makes great ideas become real, designing the rules and structure of a game, and implementing them in a game engine. You work with so many different people, understanding the roles of specialists who need to work together to create games.
Study here and you develop your 2D and 3D design skills. You also develop an appreciation of game mechanics and its relationship to game play including conceptual, story, character, level and visual design. And you study game engines and industry technologies and compare their capabilities.
- Industry links: take part in Animex, our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
- Real-world experience: enter GameJam events, take part in industry competitions and Beta test upcoming games before they’re released.
- Career-ready: our ExpoSeries allows you to showcase your skills to industry professionals who are looking to recruit new and rising talent.
- Start-up business support: we support you to develop your own business in games through our Power UP Indie Games Accelerator.
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Within the games industry, an asset is anything that is part of a game, such as an image, sound or 3D model. In this module, you learn the basics of creating assets for small, contained or independent games. Implement basic 3D assets, materials, textures, particles and audio for a game level.
You are introduced to the core theories in designing enjoyable games.?Examine the preproduction stages of game and level design, focusing on the role of game mechanics in creating an engaging and immersive gaming experience.?
Develop documentation, plans and diagrams to communicate the gameplay mechanics for all elements in simple and visually appealing ways.
You are introduced to prototyping computer games in a contemporary game engine. Focus on the principles of design and developing interactive content. Learn how to design and implement functionality and create demonstrate gameplay.
Develop your skills in visual scripting, considering variables, functions and operators along with more advanced aspects such as player controllers and game modes. Use these concepts to implement gameplay functionality and interaction using a contemporary game machine.
Year 2 core modules
You develop a product or service as part of an enterprise project for a real client – they set the brief based on their organisation’s strategic needs. Working in small teams, you determine the project aims, objectives, roles, tasks, deliverables, schedules and documentation. You then pitch your project to the client.
Focus on an area of expertise or experiment across a variety of development disciplines to create a small-scale, tactile demo prototype. Gain confidence in communicating your ideas engagingly to a professional audience.
Game User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) introduces the creative and practical processes of planning and developing front-end and heads-up display interfaces.
Explore a variety of creative methods including 2D and 3D software tools, to design and develop elements, which are brought together into fully functional interfaces. Study design theories, interactivity, accessibility, rational navigation and interface psychology.
You explore the design and production of gameplay levels, why people play games, what makes them fun and how you can apply this knowledge to add depth and playability to level design.
You produce work on gameplay scenario in a level, combining theory and psychology knowledge with techniques such as scripting, timing and game balance. Design and produce an engaging gameplay experience, considering how equality, diversity and inclusivity should be designed into the core aspects of games.
Year 3 core modules
Work as part of a games development team that is as close to industrial practice as possible. Simulate the working criteria and mix of development skills needed to produce a polished prototype of a computer game concept which would be suitable for publication.
Develop an understanding of the challenges faced by organisations in a complex and dynamic environment. Explore the controversies and dilemmas of current management thinking and practice.
You examine three key interrelated issues facing businesses – internationalisation, technological innovation and sustainability. We use a variety of teaching approaches to develop your diagnostic, analytical and communication skills so that you can interact effectively and make robust decisions
Design, research and complete your own project to develop the current practice, products or service of a client or your own organisation.
Carry out research to validate your hypotheses, test solutions, build prototypes, and make conclusions. Your area of research and practice is defined by the client or organisation. You must ensure that what you’re doing adds value and delivers against the brief. You work independently with support from a supervisor.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn in group sessions that focus on practical skills supported by the academic concepts and theories. Which means you can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in smaller groups.
Your learning experiences are strengthened by sessions delivered by industry practitioners who share their valuable industry insights with you.
You also develop your teamworking skills, working with games designers in a simulated game studio experience, outsourcing various essentials such as assets and animation to specialist teams. You work on games using the latest technologies, such as Unreal 5 and Unity, as used in industry.
Subject (or modules) are delivered in six-week blocks. You study one at a time, supported by online learning materials.
How you are assessed
It’s essential that you learn by doing. Which means that most of your assessed work is based around practical projects that you work on throughout. You get valuable tutor feedback to guide your work and your overall development.
As you progress through the course, you develop a portfolio of work - this is an important industry requirement. Our tutors can give you advice and guidance on which work to include.
And your final project allows you the freedom to set your own brief based on your skills, interests and career aspirations.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
A typical offer is 96-112 tariff points from at least two A levels (or equivalent). Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS tariff calculator.
We welcome applications from mature students without conventional entry requirements. We take into account any alternative qualifications or other experience you may have.
International applicants
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
What you need
To access the on-campus facilities you need a HTML5-capable web browser on a computer such as a Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or Linux computer. HTML5-capable web browsers that can be used include the following:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
- Microsoft Edge
For some sessions you can also access sessions on the following browsers and devices:
- Chrome or Safari on an iPad (iOS 11 or later)
- Android (Android 8 or later)
- Microsoft Surface Pro (Windows 10) tablet
Don't have your own device yet?
Don't worry - we have a bank of devices available for you to loan whenever you are on campus.
Our Digital Access Fund could also help with a £400 John Smith's Student Store voucher to buy a laptop or digital device, and access to Adobe Creative Cloud - a suite of 20+ world-class, industry-standard creative apps including Photoshop and InDesign. Subject to eligibility criteria. Terms and conditions apply.
TU London Digital Access Fund Scheme Terms and Conditions 2023-24
Employability
Career opportunities
This degree provides the skills you need for a career in the games industry and well as the generic skills to open up so many other career paths. Some of our graduates have been recognised as being among the world's best young games development talent, and featured in Develop magazine's annual 30 under 30. [evidence]
You can work as a creative director, games designer, scriptwriter, level designer, interface designer and games tester.
Teesside University graduates have gone on to work as level designers, junior game designers, mission designers and artists in a range of companies including 3rd Dimensions, Atomic Planet, Bizarre Creations, Creative Assembly, Eutechnyx, Halch, Media Molecule, Microsoft Rare, Naughty Dog, Ninja Theory, Frontier Rebellion, Rockstar North, Sega, Streamline, Supermassive Games, Traveller's Tales, Ubisoft, Venom, Virtual Playground, Volatile, Weta Digital and so many more.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.