Curious about studying Games Design - BSc (Hons)at Leeds Beckett University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
City CampusC
Full Time
Sep 2027
4.0 Year
Turn your passion for games into the skills, confidence, and experience needed to thrive in the dynamic international games and creative industries. This hands-on BSc Games Design degree blends creativity with technical expertise, preparing you to design, develop, and deliver immersive gaming experiences, from concept to completion. From RPG and horror to action, strategy, sports, and classic 8-bit - whatever your interests, you'll study some of the most influential games ever made. You'll discover how games are imagined, built, and refined, while developing a strong understanding of the tools, technologies, and workflows used by professional studios. As part of this course, you'll: * Design and produce original games driven by your own creative vision * Study modules across three core areas: programming and software engineering; art, concept, and asset production; and games design theory and practice * Take ideas from initial concept through design, visualisation, and technical implementation * Build practical experience by testing, refining, and improving your work through feedback and collaborative projects * Develop transferable creative and technical skills used across games, animation, digital and interactive media, and the wider creative sector You'll be based at our City Campus in Leeds, studying in vibrant creative environments and developing a professional portfolio that reflects industry expectations and your individual strengths.
Enter the creative arena\ From day one, you'll explore how the games and creative industries operate globally. Through a blend of guest lectures, workshops, and networking events with industry experts. Previous contributors include Disney animator Aaron Blaise, Team17 Digital, and Ubisoft Toronto's Ben Dare. An optional placement year enables you to gain valuable industry experience, as well as the professional skills and confidence to stand out in the job market.
Bring your ideas to life in professional studios\ You'll work in dedicated creative studios equipped with high-spec equipment for 3D modelling, animation, interactive design, and game development. These spaces mirror real studio environments.
Showcase your achievements\ In your final year, you'll present your work at our end-of-year degree show - a chance to impress top employers and highlight your unique creative vision.
Opportunities of tomorrow\ Leeds Beckett University is an Unreal Engine Academic Partner, preparing the next generation of game creators and interactive 3D specialists. You'll get access to enterprise-level software, premium learning resources, Marketplace credits for projects, and exclusive professional development opportunities. This means you'll be creating and experimenting with the same tools and technologies used by studios across the global games industry, giving your skills a real-world edge before you graduate.
Why study the BSc Games Design course at Leeds Beckett University?* Create in professional-standard facilities using the same tools and platforms used in industry * Develop your ideas with confidence - 96% of students on BSc (Hons) Games Design were positive about feeling free to express their ideas during their studies\* * Gain valuable industry experience and a varied skill set through optional placements and industry brief projects * Showcase your work and get noticed by leading employers at our end-of-year degree show, where past students have secured job offers * Join a powerhouse creative community - learn alongside peers who share your passion for games in one of the largest university arts communities in the north \*National Student Survey 2026
Study the key principles and techniques used to create engaging stories and game products. This module will help you to begin building your skills in the 'rules' of game design to be able to create functional games. You'll learn how to produce interesting stories through interactive design and an emotion centric approach. You'll draw from your own unique past experiences and interests and use these as inspiration during the game design process. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Study the key programming concepts associated with designing and developing for games. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming and software systems development. You'll understand the importance of prototyping systems, evaluation and testing in relation to the development lifecycle of system application. Additionally, you'll apply an integrated approach to software development in a middleware game engine. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Build on the skills developed during Game Development 1 as you discover intermediate programming concepts and asset / media pipelining required in integrated game product development. You'll learn programming methodologies and develop techniques to produce a game product or artefact to a set brief. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module will introduce the key principles and tools for creating character, environment animation and VFX, post-processing, within games. You'll focus on several content creation workflows and produce animations / VFX that are applicable within real time, interactive game environments. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Work as part of a team to design, develop a game or prototype experience. You'll adopt professional working practices at an individual and team level and develop your research, design, evaluation and presentation skills. You'll emulate what it would be like to work as part of a game design team, following the entire pipeline of the game design production cycle, from inception to finished product. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module will provide a conceptual and critical overview of the social, cultural and technological impact of games. You'll analyse the various aspects of 'game' & 'play' embedded within game cultures and associated technologies and media. In addition, you'll evaluate key developments in the design of games and their role within popular culture. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This module will provide the opportunity to develop a product as a design team, ideally for an external client. You'll research, generate ideas, design, create, implement and evaluate your product, reflecting on your own performance throughout the process. You'll follow the given game design development process and develop mechanics based on player and tutor feedback. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Evaluate your own work, and the work of the broader creative community. This module will enable you to undertake rigorous research around an area of the games art and design industry. Your research should be driven by an area of industry that interests you and your career aspirations. You'll critically reflect upon your own practice, that of your peers and the creative practice as a whole. Optional modules may also be available for this course.
Investigate the challenges faced by the games industry and that around it. You'll study the development of new and exciting products in a world where markets, delivery methods, technology and design solutions are constantly evolving.Optional modules may also be available for this course.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘placement’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree and will extend the length of your course by an additional year. Students who choose the placement route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
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