BA(Hons)Game Development: Programming

Study location	United Kingdom, Falmouth (Penryn Campus)
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	3 years
Study language	English
Awards	BA(Hons)
Course code	W285

Entry qualification	High school / secondary education (or higher) The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English IELTS: 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill) CAE: 168 (with a minimum of 162 in each skill)

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	falmouth.ac.uk/game-development

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

Year One

We‘ll introduce you to the major components of digital games and game development. You’ll learn about what is needed to make a game, about asset creation, project management methodology and pipelines, pitching game ideas and theories exploring what games are and how they engage players. You’ll develop specialist skills relevant to your chosen route and practise those skills in cross-disciplinary groups where you‘ll pitch a game concept to tutors and make a game together.

o Game development – principles, roles and commercial context
o Reading games – concepts, theories and approaches to game analysis
o Route module – developing technical skills through practice

Year Two

With greater confidence in your various skills, in your second year you’ll tackle a larger game project, working in a multi-skilled group, as occurs in professional game development. Made over the entire year, this extended project will allow you to research and experiment with various approaches and create innovative features. You’ll investigate theoretical strategies to player experience and will learn more about the games industry, what currently drives game development and trends from visiting industry professionals. You’ll continue to develop your specialist skills to inform your game making practice.

o Game form & player experience – theory to support your practical work
o Group project – develop your route skills in a solo project
o Route module – further your specialist knowledge through workshops

Year Three

The Major Project lies at the heart of year three, which sees you work in teams to produce a completed, potentially publishable game, as well as complete a smaller personal game project. You’ll pitch those games to industry professionals, who will provide feedback on the work. You‘ll research a topic relevant to your game project and write an essay investigating the topic through the lens of theory. You‘ll also benefit from an industry mentor to sharpen your insight into working
in the game industry and help you build contacts for your career after graduation.

o Games as culture – engage in the place of games in culture, from ethics to representation
o Major game project – the majority of this year is the building of a potentially publishable game project by your team
o Professional practice – learn about working in the sector and how to establish an indie games company through industry mentoring

Career opportunities

We anticipate that graduates will work within the games industry, either working within established studios or as self-employed game developers in the following roles (dependent on route):

o Artist
o Animator
o Audio Producer
o Game/Level Designer
o Producer
o Programmer
o Technical Artist
o Writer
o Postgraduate research
o Digital media industry