Indie Game Development MA (Online)
Become a confident and daring indie game developer.
Course overview
Learn to produce vibrant and engaging experiences for gamers on this dynamic online MA course. You’ll analyse the principles of the creative process, from early ideation and prototyping through to full production, release and post-release content.
Supported by an experienced cross-disciplinary team of industry practitioners, including tutors working in professional game development roles, you’ll learn to integrate design tools, programming languages, game engines, specialist middleware and frameworks into your game development practice.
You’ll explore current trends in indie games, funding opportunities and studio business models to see how you could start up your own. If you already have a business or game idea, this is your chance to get it off the ground by preparing pitch materials with help from tutors with a wealth of experience.
This Indie Game Development master's course is delivered by Falmouth's Games Academy, which has been rated no.1 for game design in England by The Princeton Review, 2023.
Why study this course at Falmouth?
- Apply the principles of design and creativity to generate novel experiences and own the Intellectual Property (IP) of any games you produce
- Develop digital and non-digital prototypes and playable games, exploring the use of games across a range of application domains, including gamification and serious games – learning to use industry-standard platforms and adapting to their technical constraints
- Use methods from business and analytics to better understand how people engage with indie games and games companies
- Collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and expand your professional networks at optional in-person events
Register your interest
Get a prospectus
Start dates: January / May / September
(Three intakes per year)
Interested in studying this Online MA? Join our virtual masterclass on 9 December.
Find out moreCourse details
1
FOR GAME DESIGN IN ENGLAND*
* The Princeton Review, 2023
Throughout this indie game development course, you'll learn how to produce original and creatively distinguished games based on your own intellectual property. You'll gain the ability to critically reflect upon and evaluate working methods and find the most effective ways to collaborate on projects. You'll also gain key professional skills in pitching your ideas; communicating concepts and presenting artefacts visually with clarity and enthusiasm.
Modules
The modules have been specifically designed to be studied in a non-linear order, with the order in which you’ll study the modules depending on when you begin the course.
MA
You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit Major Project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details for the MA.
PGDip
You will need to complete four 30-credit modules (120 credits in total), and will not complete a Major Project.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details for the PGDip.
Module details
By devising a series of small-scale creative artefacts, you'll use your existing ideas about development practice and then experiment with new approaches to challenge these ideas. This will enable you to create a personal case study, from which you can define how to expand and enrich your practice. Beyond the personal case study, you'll gain a broader sense of the contexts in which these practices are applied across disciplines.
(30 credits)
You’ll develop and combine skills from the art, design and programming disciplines to create your own small indie game. This will help you understand how game development draws from many different disciplines and explain the different tasks involved in making games. By the end of the module you'll have made a game yourself and produced a report that explains the cross-disciplinary context for your creative process.
(30 credits)
You'll work in a multi-disciplinary team on a problem-led creative project. This will typically, but not necessarily, be a small game or creative app. You'll work together to situate, design, implement and evaluate your creative artefact. With the support of a supervisor, you'll strategically manage scope, workflow, communication roles and responsibilities. At the end, you will have pitched and produced an original artefact, based on your own intellectual property, that clearly illustrates how you can engage an audience.
(30 credits)
In this module, you’ll design and prepare to launch a small business with a focus on indie game development. You’ll investigate and assess market opportunities in an area of your choice. This could involve exploring your audience, comparing how game businesses operate, contrasting business models, and considering how intellectual property can be managed. You’ll then decide which business opportunity your indie game is responding to and devise a business plan. You’ll consider branding, cash flow modelling, enterprise planning, incorporation, seeking further investment and interrogating routes to market. This will underpin further development and launch of your indie game.
(30 credits)
You’ll work on a major research and development project, either independently or with others. This will allow you to expand and consolidate your skills of devising, developing and executing an extended development project. You can build upon your projects from other modules or develop a new concept. You should finish the course with a polished project of a publishable quality. A supervisor will act as your mentor and adviser. If you’re planning to start your own business following this MA, your supervisor can direct you to professional services staff for business mentoring.
(60 credits)
As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.
Stories from our community
Explore student projects, graduate successes, staff news and industry insights
Work by Nathan Bedford
A guide to Worldbuilding
31 October 2024
Worldbuilding shapes the sights, sounds, and experiences that draw audiences into a new universe. Bu...
Three scary releases from the Games Academy this Halloween
24 October 2024
At Falmouth, Halloween isn’t just about scary movies and pumpkin carving; it’s also about sampli...
"Failure is a good thing," says Indie Game Development MA (Online) graduate
21 October 2024
Since starting his undergraduate degree at Falmouth in 2019, and through to completing his online In...
"Failure is a good thing," says Indie Game Development MA (Online) graduate
21 October 2024
Since starting his undergraduate degree at Falmouth in 2019, and through to completing his online In...
Falmouth Alumni Studio 316 Unveil New Game: Post Apocalypse Courier Service
11 October 2024
Studio 316, a game development studio founded by graduates of the Games Academy via Launchpad, has a...
Falmouth Alumni releases new adventure game on Steam
04 October 2024
Three former Games Academy graduates have released their first game, Leximan, from their game studio...
Students get their game featured by The Rookies
08 August 2024
Eleven Games Academy graduates have gained recognition for their new game, Petal, from the industry ...
Games Academy alumni release their latest game on Nintendo Switch
07 June 2024
Studio 316, a Cornwall-based games studio which comprises of five former Falmouth University Games A...
Dr Tony Pellicone: my top five favourite games
10 April 2024
One of the simplest joys of loving games is talking about your favourite games – the ones that sta...
Falmouth University makes The Princeton Review list of Top 50 undergraduate schools for Game Design 2024
28 March 2024
Falmouth has been ranked 17th in The Princeton Review's list of the Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for...
Computing lecturer Joseph Walton-Rivers talks coding and creativity
26 March 2024
One of the biggest misconceptions about coding or programming is that it is not a creative disciplin...
Falmouth University retains world-class position in the 2023 Rookies Rankings
28 February 2024
Falmouth University has been ranked as a top 10 creative schools in the UK, and top 50 in the 2023 R...
An interview with Sally Blake, award-winning video game producer and advocate for women in games
26 February 2024
We chatted to Sally Blake, award-winning video game producer and advocate for women in games, about ...
Indie Game Development graduate debuts innovative product on Unity Asset Store
07 December 2023
Glasgow-based software developer Georgi Tsaklev – a 2023 graduate of Falmouth’s online Indie Gam...
Falmouth University’s gaming community to join live ‘Game On!’ fundraiser for BBC Children in Need
10 November 2023
Gaming and esports enthusiasts from Falmouth University are joining forces to take part in 'Game On!...
A day in the life of an Indie Game Development student
09 August 2023
Indie Game Development MA (Online) student Nathan shares his experience on the course.
Meet Fintech Rising Star Camilla Wong
13 July 2023
Taking the fintech world by storm, User Experience Design MA (Online) student Camilla Wong was named...
Knights of Borria set to launch new game ‘Leximan’ with major European publisher
19 June 2023
Falmouth University game studio Knights of Borria to launch new game 'Leximan' with publisher Marvel...
An interview with Carlos Lima Santana, Digital Product Designer at British Airways
16 June 2023
Carlos Lima Santana is a senior product designer and user experience (UX) design expert. With over a...
Falmouth Showcase 2023: A celebration of our graduating talent
02 June 2023
Congratulations to our class of 2023!
Resources and Support
- Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Accessible online audio / visual content
- A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services
- Access to our Employability Service
- 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources
- Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning
- Students' Union community
- Optional in-person events
- Invitation to attend alumni events
Although online students don't have access to on-campus facilities as part of the course, you can hire equipment and access facilities by paying a charge. Find out more about availability and prices here.
Is Online Study for Me?
The creative culture at our core is not confined to our Cornwall campuses; with our online degrees, ...
Online Learning Support
You'll have access to a range of support throughout your studies with us to help you thrive and deve...
Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online) in-person event © Ellie Hope / © Mayn Creative
In-Person Events
As an online student at Falmouth, you’ll have the opportunity to attend in-person events throughou...
Parents & Carers Guide to Online Study
See how you can support a student considering an online degree at Falmouth.
How you'll learn & be assessed
You'll learn through a blend of lectures, webinars, guest talks, tasks and discussion forums, which you'll access via our dedicated virtual learning environment. This is also where you'll find all key documentation, get course announcements and access extensive learning resources.
How will I be supported?
You'll be supported academically by Online Tutors, who will also deliver weekly webinars and facilitate the online forums. If you need assistance with anything that isn't directly related to course material, a dedicated Student Advisor team will be on hand to help. You'll also have access to Falmouth University's excellent Employability Service.
You'll refine dynamic development practices, spending around 25 hours a week working on your craft. We incorporate optional face-to-face events for all our online students. There will be up to two per year and will typically run over weekends, to fit around your other commitments.
What are my study hours?
Based on the total learning time for the Postgraduate online courses, an average study week can be up to 25 hours. As our online courses are intended to be flexible, the time required to study will vary based on the level of study, the module week, and individual learning pace.
Assessment methods
Assessment provides the course team with a means of offering tailored guidance alongside advice on how to progress knowledge and skills in key areas that relate to the course Learning Outcomes. The course team will identify your strengths and weaknesses as an individual and discuss them with you throughout your time on the course.
Assessments are 100% coursework, submitted in an electronic format to the virtual learning environment, and designed to reflect professional practice. Assessment methods include:
- Projects
- Portfolios
- Pitches
- Papers
Graduate spotlight: a new sense of self-confidence through indie game development
Game developer Sarah Masters wants her work to make a positive difference in the world. Having recently graduated from our master’s in Indie Game Development, she’s currently undertaking a PhD as part of the world’s largest games research programme.
Read moreStaff
The Indie Game Development course is part of Falmouth’s Games Academy, one of the largest dedicated game development studio spaces of any UK university. You'll learn from industry experts with years of experience across disciplines, bringing together art, animation, audio, design, programming, production and writing. Some members of staff only teach on specific modules.
Liz Coulter-Smith
Lecturer and Course Leader, User Experience Design and Indie Game Development
Liz Coulter-Smith, holds a MFA, BFA, PGCHE, PGCertResMeth, and FHEA credentials, is a researcher, de...
Matt Osbond
Online tutor
As a Technical Art Director in the AAA Games industry, I have broad experience of the majority of th...
Sally Blake
Online Tutor, Indie Game Development MA (Online)
Sally Blake is the CEO of Silent Games and has worked in AAA, indie development and publishing for o...
Alexander Horowitz
Online Tutor: MA Indie Game Development
Dr Alexander Horowitz is a game audio director and composer based in the South-East of England. He i...
Adam Clewes-Boyne
Online Tutor
Adam is a talented games programmer and designer, as well as co-founder of BetaJester Ltd, an indie ...
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.
Careers
Our game development graduates have worked as:
- Game developers at companies such as MediaTonic, Firesprite, Creative Assembly, Project Gamechanger and Rare
- Creative AI specialists at companies including Ultrahaptics, Solutionpath and Bewsign
- Researchers and developers at companies such as Facebook
- Designers, developers, programmers and analysts at companies such as Facebook
- Doctoral researchers in artificial intelligence and/or data science, sponsored by the likes of Google
Our graduates have a track record of producing successful indie games. Published titles include: Get Packed by Moonshine Studio, Soria by Polargryph, SAI by Studio Mutiny, RoBoats by Animal Puree, Kick Your Astronaut by SquirrelSoft and Karate Krab by Liquid Sapling. Visit Our Games page to find a selection of real games that Falmouth students have collaborated on.
How to apply
Speak to us about the course
If you'd like to talk to an Advisor about this course or your application, get in touch with us via the form below.
Ask us a question
Apply now
Ready to apply for postgraduate study? We have three start dates a year: January / May / September. Select the start date you'd like to apply for in the drop-downs below and then click the relevant apply button to begin.
You can apply to begin your studies in January 2025 by selecting the relevant course route below:
You can apply to begin your studies in May 2025 by selecting the relevant course route below:
You can apply to begin your studies in September 2025 by selecting the relevant course route below:
How to apply for our Online Degrees
Find out moreAn honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. If you'd like to discuss our entry requirements, speak to an advisor.
For more information regarding equivalent international qualifications and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) either request information with our easy online form, or read about it on our apply page.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.5 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in speaking.
We also accept a range of other recognised English language qualifications. You can visit our English Language Requirements page for more information.
For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors.
What we're looking for
We're looking for people who are interested in working with artists and designers, developers, and creatives in a distributed studio environment, testing and experimenting with cutting-edge technologies and game development techniques.
You may be early in your career following completion of related undergraduate study or further along in your career but interested in re-training and learning new relevant technical skills or starting a business.
This course has three intakes per year: January, May and September.
Academic start date* | Application deadline |
---|---|
20 January 2025 | 8 January 2025 |
26 May 2025 | 6 May 2025 |
22 September 2025 | 1 September 2025 |
Please note:
*Virtual Welcome Week begins the week before the academic start date. During this time, our Student Advisor team will host Welcome Webinars and be in touch with practical information on how to study online.
An Early Bird discount is available for early applications. Currently the scheme offers up to £600 off MA tuition fees: £300 if you apply by the Early Bird discount submission deadline, and a further £300 off your tuition fees if you receive an offer and within two weeks you accept the place and pay the acceptance fee. Both these payments would be applied to your final fee instalment. Please note the discount amount is subject to change for future intakes.
Early Bird discount submission deadline | Academic start date |
---|---|
25 November 2024 | 20 January 2025 |
31 March 2025 | 26 May 2025 |
4 August 2025 | 22 September 2025 |
To discuss all our discount opportunities, contact an advisor.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£12,150 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course
£7,921 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - PGDip course
£12,150 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course
£7,921 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - PGDip course
Tuition fees for September 2026 will be confirmed in summer 2025.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Early Bird discount available
Request informationTypical course costs
As part of studying Indie Game Development you will require:
Laptop/computer
A desktop/laptop at an expense of around £1,300, capable of running game engines (such as Unity and Unreal Engine), and 3D modelling software (Blender and Autodesk Maya, for example), as well as our virtual learning environment.
Optional face-to-face events
You will be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation and subsistence costs to attend these events.
Postgraduate funding
There are loans, awards, graduate discounts and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.
Find out about fundingAsk a student
What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?
From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Speak to an advisor
Do you have questions about the course or studying online with Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.
Submit formSimilar courses
Game Programming MSc
Get the edge in the highly competitive games industry by learning technical, creative and profession...
Game Design MA
Are you passionate about games and keen to make them better? Do you feel curious about what makes a ...
Game Art MA
Are you an artist with a passion for games? Do you want to develop your skills to meet the challenge...
Artificial Intelligence for Games MSc
Break new ground in the application of AI for games. Do you want to explore the applications of...