Game Design and Development
Sheffield Hallam University
UCAS Code: A112 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Sheffield Hallam University
UCAS Code: A112 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 18 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a media-related programme, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language at grade C or 4.
UCAS Tariff
This must include at least 32 points from two A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example: BBC-BBB at A Level, DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma, Merit overall from a T level Qualification, or a combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.**
**Course Summary**
- Learn the key techniques and skills required to create a wide variety of games.
- Attain a deep understanding of game play.
- Create prototypes and game concept pitches for external clients and experts.
- Collaborate with students from other gaming disciplines to understand game production in a team context.
- Gain the visual communication and creative problem-solving skills industry employers are looking for.
On this course, you'll explore the artistry and industry of games design. You’ll complete real game development projects and develop your own creative approach, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources supported by the likes of Sony Playstation. Upon graduation, you'll have the portfolio, experience and qualifications you need to land an exciting position.
**How You Learn**
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
This course employs a creative, practice-based approach set within the context of group project activity. This emulates the collaborative nature of professional practice within the creative industries, and is underpinned by analysis, iteration of ideas and concepts, and reflection on creative processes.
As you progress through the course you will be able to choose your own focus and develop your understanding of specific roles within game development and game design.
You will design and create prototypes, organise playtesting sessions with potential audience members, work as a member in an agile game development team and produce and maintain a professional portfolio of own game design work.
**Applied learning**
**Live projects**
The course includes a range of professional development and work-based learning opportunities, including producing game concept and prototype pitches for commercial and other external clients, guest lectures from industry professionals and networking events. You will get opportunities to develop your own future strategy as a game professional whether that be freelancing, working as an independent game developer or working in a specific sector in the game or interactive media industries.
**Field trips**
Industry visits, field trips, game jams, and live projects will be a key aspect of your preparation for employment, facilitate contextual knowledge and understanding and provide opportunities for networking and cementing relationships with industry and fellow aspiring game designers, artists, and programmers.
**Networking opportunities**
At every level of the course, through the networks of the course staff, you will have the opportunity to engage with specialist visiting lecturers from the industry to show your work. A wide range of professional development and networking opportunities are supported by the Media Arts and Communications Department, such as the yearly Pathways event. We always seek to support and enable any student who obtains a placement to be able to take such opportunities.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
**Year 1**
**Compulsory Modules**
Digital Prototyping 1 | Coursework (100%)
Game Design Practice | Coursework (100%)
Game Design Theory | Coursework (100%)
Game Project | Coursework (100%)
**Year 2**
**Compulsory Modules**
Advanced Game Design Theory | Coursework (100%)
Digital Prototyping 2 | Coursework (100%)
Interactive Realities | Coursework (100%)
Specialist Pathways 1 | Coursework (100%)
**Elective Module**
Study Abroad - Creative Industries | Coursework (100%)
**Year 3**
**Optional Modules**
Placement Year
**Final Year**
**Compulsory Modules**
Alternate Realities | Coursework (100%)
Final Game Project | Coursework (100%)
Research And Development Proposal | Coursework (100%)
Assessment methods
Coursework
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
College of Social Sciences and Arts
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer games and animation
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer games and animation
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a relatively new subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. Gaming is a growing industry, and if it continues to grow we should see the rather high unemployment rate coming down over the next few years. Much the most common jobs for graduates who do get work after six months are in programming roles - but as things stand, be aware that jobs in the field are very competitive and personal contacts - either through family, friends or via specialist employment agencies - are a crucial way into the industry so be prepared to talk as well as code!
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer games and animation
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£24k
£28k
£32k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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