Games Design with Foundation Year.

You'll typically be taught through a combination of technical and creative workshops, lectures, interactive seminars, individual tutorials, demonstrations, and exercises, though the balance between these elements will vary depending on the specific module content (such as the different balance between theory and practical delivery in a module).

This varied approach is designed to support you with learning how to use and apply software, but also to think about games design as a creative and commercial practice. There are times when working on projects is beneficial, and other times where listening to presentations from games designers and researchers will support your growing skills. You'll be asked to apply the skills you have acquired, generally in the form of a practical project (a game, a prototype, a demonstration, a presentation, written evaluation, or occasional essay). These become increasingly complex as the course progresses and your confidence and expertise increase. In addition, you'll be surrounded by a community of games makers, researchers, and players, and other creative practitioners. The expectation is that as a games design student you will actively seek out collaboration and input from staff and peers, and in doing so improve your work and contribute to the games design community. You will typically have around 12 contact hours per week; however, your actual contact hours will depend on the optional modules you select.

You will use industry-standard software, notably YoYo Games’ GameMaker, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, 3D and 2D animation software and the Adobe Creative Suite, for much of your digital work. You will have access to a wide range of specialist facilities such as screen printing, oversize print services, laser cutting and 3D printing throughout your course to further support your output.

All programmes are informed by the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015-2022.

It is expected that you will spend 24 hours per week outside class time working on projects individually and in teams.

While your workload will shift in response to deadlines you should see your studies as a full-time job of at least 36 hours per week.

The teaching team consists of highly qualified academics and practitioners with a wide range of expertise and experience.

Members of the teaching team are qualified to postgraduate level and are research-active. They have experience in delivering research-informed teaching. You should note members of the teaching team might change.

Guest speakers from industry as well as postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.

 The programme is led by Dr Alan Meades, an internationally renowned games researcher. Alan holds an MA by Research in Electronic Arts and a PhD in Game Studies. He wrote the 2015 book Understanding Counterplay in Video Games after spending five years studying hacking and modding communities on the Xbox 360. Alan is currently working on the Arcade Tales project (www.arcadetales.com/share), which tells the unheard history of the British arcade.