Games Design

BA (Hons) Undergraduate Degree

UCAS Code WG24

Start Date 01/09/2026

Duration 3 Years

UCAS Points 104-120

Places for September 2026. Start your journey today!

Course Overview

Do you love games and have a curiosity for the creative and technical decisions that bring them to life? At Futureworks, our games design degree will prepare you for this exciting and fast-moving industry.

Our graduates are now working with games developers such as Supermassive Games, Sumo Digital, Rockstar, Rebellion Games, Ubisoft, d3t, Codemasters, Lucid Games and Cloud Imperium Games, to name a few.

All our teaching staff are very active in the games industry. They have experience developing award-winning games with AAA games development companies. What this means for you is that we have great connections in the real world – connections that you can use to start building your professional network, before you’ve graduated.

Modules

What will I study?

Game Mechanics
Game History and Theory
3D Modelling
Creative Workflows
Narrative Design
Games Specialism
Game Prototype

Historical Contextual Studies (20 credits)

An academic approach to the study of games design, looking at theories of play and the history of games in the context of human history from early civilisations to the present day.

Narrative Design (20 credits)

You will examine narratives in games, with a view to understanding key narrative structures and principles. These include storytelling traditions from around the world and throughout history.

Introduction to Games Design (40 credits)

You will be introduced to some core theories behind games and gameplay. Looking at tabletop games, you will analyse play experience through the study of mechanics, calibration, balance, narrative, currency, and key analytical frameworks.

Digital Games Design (20 credits)

You will also be introduced to Unreal Engine touching on Blueprints and basic game construction, exploring the creation of simple mechanics and systems.

Introduction to 3D Modelling for Games Design (20 credits)

This module introduces core 3D modelling concepts. Alongside fundamental technical practice in 3D modelling, you will be introduced to PBR materials and learn the importance of observation and analysis.

Applied Games Design (40 credits)

Gives you the opportunity to iterate knowledge gained so far with a view to understanding the technical and creative building blocks of game development including level design. Made up of a number of short ‘rapid prototyping’ projects designed to highlight technical and creative skills; along with an introduction to industry standard documents.

Advanced 3D Modelling (40 credits)

This module will develop more advanced 3D modelling processes incorporating modular modelling, trim sheets, high to low polygon retopology workflows as well as more advanced PBR material creation.

Research Project (20 credits)

You will have the opportunity to do a deep dive into an area of games design of your choice. Using research, interviews, reading and other references, you will work towards a written academic submission and an appropriate industry document.

Games Specialism (20 credits)

A module which gives you the opportunity to test two areas of interest and undertake two projects with the view to learning new skills and identifying a possible area of specialism in your final year for your future career path or postgraduate study.

Major Project (40 credits)

You will negotiate a substantial final year practical project, underpinned by research, focussed on career direction or postgraduate study. New learning is a key aspect of the module, along with research and iteration.

Game Prototype (40 credits)

A yearlong project requiring you to create a playable demo of a game. This to be supported with industry standard documentation along with reflections on your creative and technical progress.

Games Future Research (20 credits)

You will reflect on industry trends with a view to offering a hypothesis on the future of games and the games industry from a technological, sociological or cultural perspective.

Professional Development (20 credits)

You will prepare for entering the games industry. You will be equipped with skills and knowledge in CVs, portfolios, interview techniques, networking and preparing an online presence.

“Futureworks has provided me with both a professional and evaluative environment led by some of the most knowledgeable tutors I’ve come across, who all had roots in the industry. With their advice and support, not only was I able to grow, but with the training I was equipped with, managed to find a job right after graduating.”

Haris Iqbal
Games Designer (Combat) at Deep Silver Dambuster Studios
BA (Hons) Games Design

Careers

Where can this degree take me?

This Games Design degree provides a fantastic springboard into the games industry for future Games Designers, Level Designers, Prop and Asset Modellers, or even into Production Management roles. We’re proud to say that past students are currently working throughout the industry, from major game companies to small independents – or even start your own company like one group of Futureworks students did (Torque Studios) to enter a national competition. They won the competition, picking up a £25,000 prize which helped fund their first game which was nominated in the BAFTA games awards.

Gallery

We are proud to showcase our students work

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Entry Requirements

To be considered for this course, you will require 104-120 UCAS points.

This could be gained via a number of qualifications, for example:

BCC or above at A2 Level
DMM or above at Extended Diploma Level
M or above at UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma Level
A proven interest in this area

You can apply for this course by applying directly to Futureworks. Alternatively, you can apply via the UCAS system. The UCAS codes for this course are as follows:-

UCAS Code: WG24

Institution Code: F98

If you have any questions please call us  on 0161 214 4602 or email admissions@futureworks.ac.uk

Successful applications will receive an offer directly from Futureworks (and via your UCAS application if you applied through UCAS).