Game Development BA(Hons)
Join a community of people who live and breathe games. From day one you’ll be working as you would on a games team in the industry and developing your own games.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply
Introduction
You’ll learn how all the specialisms work together, how to work effectively in a team and the role you play in it. The course simulates how the industry operates and its methodologies in a studio environment that is built to mirror a real games development studio.
You will:
- Build your own games from day one and have the opportunity to establish your own company in your third year.
- Have the opportunity to change the games industry by making games for new markets and not simply replicating what’s already out there.
- Have the option to change your specialism at any point in your first year.
- Work in a department dedicated to gaming and be surrounded by people working in all aspects of the industry.
- Develop a multi-disciplinary approach, touching on all aspects of game creation, and make completed games.
Specialisms
Art
Suitable if you have art or game art qualifications, and want to develop your skills as a game artist on the studio floor in team projects.
UCAS code: W281
Animation
Develop as a game-specific animator and rigger. Previous art, media or ICT qualifications will give you a good grounding.
UCAS code: W282
Audio
Build your skills as a game audio designer. Previous music qualifications will provide a good foundation.
UCAS code: W283
Design
Design the systems, levels and content of games. Suitable if you have a deep passion for games and gameplay, and can interpret game mechanics.
UCAS code: W284
Programming
Develop programming skills from the very basics. A background doing some IT, computing or maths will prove helpful in this specialism.
UCAS code: W285
Writing
Continue your writing as a game designer and narrative specialist. Previous English qualifications or writing work will give you a good foundation.
UCAS code: W286
What our students do
Student Hired by Supermassive Games
Landing a role at a leading games company is an accomplishment regardless of where you are in...
Games Students Impress Mediatonic's Marketing Director
Being able to hear the expert advice of industry practitioners is just one of the benefits of...
Games Graduate Hired to Design Sea of Thieves
Conall Blake only graduated from BA(Hons) Game...
Gamers Go Global
Falmouth's gaming community got creative this weekend (25-27 Jan) when they took part in the...
Games Student Secures Conference Award
Arabella Collins, a third year Game Development student, has...
Conference Call for Games Student
An All Access Pass to the leading game industry event in San Francisco would be a thrilling...
What our graduates do
Graduates from this course have started their own game development studios, and gone on to careers as artists and designers at major game studios like Creative Assembly, Supermassive Games, Rare, King and TT Games.
Propelled in to the Real World
Former BA(Hons) Games Development: Writing student, Arah Collins has made quick progress since...
Student Hired by Supermassive Games
Landing a role at a leading games company is an accomplishment regardless of where you are in...
Jade Ostle's Industry Insights
After graduating from the Game Development course, Jade Ostle...
Further Success for RoBoats
Following their initial success on the Tranzfuser programme, Game...
Course details
What you'll learn
You’ll get a feel for all the skills and disciplines in game development, before specialising in one of six routes - but you can change your route at any point in your first year. You’ll then go from small tasks to games with more challenging scope as you take on team-led projects.
Specialisms
Learn core game art abilities, like 2D and 3D concept art and character and environment modelling - using industry-standard packages, processes and pipelines. By working with a multidisciplinary team of other developers, you’ll graduate with a professional portfolio presenting your work in context. This course involves more project work from the beginning and less focus on foundational skills than BA(Hons) Game Art
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Graduate with a portfolio of game animation - one of the most sought-after skill sets in the industry. By working closely with other artists, designers, programmers, writers and sound artists, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of the animation pipeline and its place in game development.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Create sound environments and scores to electrify players. Working closely with a multi-skilled development team, you'll graduate with a portfolio of audio for a number of completed games, and first-hand experience of the development pipeline.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Work out the rules, systems, puzzles and challenges shaping a player's experience. You'll graduate with extensive experience as a game designer - from paper concept to the finished article - with a portfolio of games you’ve completed in collaboration with other disciplines.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Learn to program in C# and work with animators, artists, designers, sonic artists and writers to make completed games. Our highly accessible programming course gives anyone the skills and opportunities to learn to code and flourish in the industry.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Create back stories, dialogue, quest texts and story arcs as you learn essential creative writing skills and look into how these can translate to gaming. You’ll work as a narrative designer in a multi-disciplined development team, and contribute as a specialised developer.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
Course structure
You'll learn what it takes to make a game - asset creation, project management and pipelines, pitching ideas, and theories exploring what games are and how they engage players. Developing your skills and aligning them to your chosen route, you’ll enhance cross-disciplinary groups as you pitch a game to tutors and build it together.
Modules
Development Principles
Theory 1: Reading Experiences
Multidisciplinary Development Practice
Specialist modules depending on your route
Specialist modules
Art
Environment Art 1
Environment Art 2
Animation
Game Animation 1
Game Animation 2
Audio
Designing Sound
Music Technologies
Design
Game Design 1
Game Design 2
Programming
Principles of Computing
Creative Computing
Individual Creative Computing Project
Writing
Craft of Writing
Audiences & Contexts
With greater confidence in your skills, you’ll mirror professional game development as you tackle a larger game project in a multi-skilled group. Made over the entire year, you’ll research and experiment with various approaches and create innovative features. You’ll investigate strategies in player experience, and learn what drives industry trends and developments from visiting professionals, all the while developing the specialist skills informing your practice.
Modules
World Creation Project: Pre-Production
World Creation Project: Production
World Creation: Game Development Project 1
Theory 2: Form & Player Experience
Specialist modules depending on your route
Specialist modules
Art
Developing Specialist Game Art Practice
Developing Concept Art Vocabularies
Developing Character Art Vocabularies
Developing Environment Art Vocabularies
Animation
Game Animation 3
Developing Specialist Game Art Practice
Audio
Supersonic
Developing Specialist Game Development Practice
Design
Game Design 3
Developing Specialist Game Development Practice
Programming
Specialisms in Creative Computing
Individual Specialist Computing Project: Interfaces & Interaction
Individual Specialist Computing Project: Artificial Intelligence
Writing
Games and Digital Writing Workshop
Developing Specialist Game Development Practice
You’ll produce a complete and potentially publishable game as part of a team. By pitching it to industry professionals, you’ll receive reliable and insightful feedback. You’ll also research a topic relevant to your project, and work with industry mentors, sharpening your real-world insights and building valuable career contacts.
Modules
Preparing for the Future
Major Game Development Project: Pre-Production
Professional Practice
Major Game Development Project: Production
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
You’ll create original games through group work, professional practice and Game Jams. You’ll also develop practical skills through practice-based workshops, and learn to evaluate and improve your work through group tutorials, crits and individual tutorials. Regular learning will come from lectures, seminars and our Virtual Learning Environment.
If you enrol in Design, Programming, Art or Animation, you’ll share specialist first-year modules with other Games Academy courses. As the course progresses, you’ll move from 2D to 3D and shift your focus to project teamwork.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 38% | 62% |
2 | 36% | 64% |
3 | 32% | 68% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 34% | 66% |
2 | 36% | 64% |
3 | 32% | 68% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 25% | 75% |
2 | 30% | 70% |
3 | 39% | 61% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 34% | 66% |
2 | 33% | 67% |
3 | 32% | 68% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 34% | 66% |
2 | 33% | 67% |
3 | 32% | 68% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study |
1 | 30% | 70% |
2 | 31% | 69% |
3 | 32% | 68% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment across all specialisms
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
- Teamwork features heavily to reflect the industry.
- Game making is the primary form of assessment.
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
- Visual, verbal and written assignments.
- Portfolio of project work.
Staff
Coming from companies like Square-Enix and Octopus 8 Studios, you’ll benefit from your tutors’ experience working on titles like Hitman, League of Legends, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XII.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Professor Tanya Krzywinska
Tanya started playing computer-based games on Usenet when working at the Digital Equipment...
Andy Smith
Andy joined Falmouth University in 2013 after completing his undergraduate studies in...
Brian McDonald
Brian McDonald is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Game Development and BSc(Hons)...
Che Wilbraham
As a self-taught, independent game developer, Ché’s background is in the arts. He sees himself...
Dr Douglas Brown
Formerly employed by international games developer and publisher Square-Enix and credited on...
Gareth Lewis
Gareth is a veteran of the video games industry having spent some 25 years working as programmer...
Jon Pledger
Following my masters I worked as a Senior Artist for two games companies: Evolution Studios and...
Pete Shepherd
Having been involved in the music industry for the last 30 years, initially as a player/...
Phoebe Herring
Phoebe Herring joined Falmouth University as a lecturer in BA(Hons) Game Art after freelancing...
Richard Milligan
Richard is an animator and 3D artist with ten years of professional experience. Children's TV...
Roman Dlapa
Roman Dlapa joined Falmouth University in September 2017, joining the Games Academy as a...
Rory Summerley
Rory is a games studies researcher who has written and lectured on a diverse range of games-...
Terry Greer
After starting out life as a zoo keeper at London Zoo, Terry has worked for over thirty years in...
Kate Bergel
The majority of Kate's career has been spent in VFX, where she started as a junior systems...
Ady Smith
I have been working in the Games Industry since 1992. I have worked on a variety of game...
Facilities
- Large studio equipped with regularly updated, state-of-the-art game development machines.
- XSens Motion Capture suites.
- Life drawing studio for artists and weekly life sessions.
- Specialised computing hardware for game development, deep learning projects, motion capture and immersive experiences.
- Standard packages used in software development for the games and visual effects industries, including Adobe and Autodesk suites.
- Attached lab committed to staying at the cutting edge - featuring augmented reality, virtual reality AR/VR/MR (XR) equipment including HoloLens, Vive Pro and Oculus Rift.
- Attached lab with access to PS4 development and testing kits.
- Access to a variety of game engines including Unity and Unreal.
- Studios open late during term time.
- Access to free software via Microsoft Imagine.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.
University code: F33
UCAS codes
Art: W281
Animation: W282
Audio: W283
Design: W284
Programming: W285
Writing: W286
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK/EU applications: 15 January 2020 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
How to Apply
Get application information including personal statement advice, interview tips and what to include in your portfolio.
Portfolio Advice
What is a portfolio and how do you make one? Read our guide.
Personal Statement Guide
How do you write a personal statement and what should you include? Read our advice.
Interview Information: Game Development BA(Hons)
Find out what to expect at your Game Development interview.
After You Apply
Find out what happens after you apply to Falmouth and what you'll need to do.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Is passionate about creating games.
- Wants to work as a specialist game developer in either the AAA or indie area of the industry.
- Wants to develop real games in multidisciplinary teams in a studio mirroring the industry.
- Enthusiastically follows current video game technologies.
- Shows communication skills and understands their specialism (Art, Animation, Design, Audio, Programming or Writing).
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2020-21
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£16,000 - full-time international
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.
Typical course costs
- £100 - Recurring annual costs
- £1500 - Optional laptop or desktop capable of running 3D Modelling software (recommended for artists and animators)
- £300 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page
Ask a student
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