Games Design BSc Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our Games Design degree is tailored for those who are passionate about crafting immersive gaming experiences and want to emerge as industry-ready game designers, level designers or artists with a powerful blend of skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience.

Studying game design at Chester provides you with the essential skills for a successful career in the industry. You'll develop your game and level design abilities while also learning the content creation pipeline. The course also builds your technical skills in programming and scripting, ensuring a well-rounded foundation. You'll work with the same tools and processes used by game studios, mastering professional techniques and building a portfolio of complete projects through both individual and group work.

Taking a collaborative approach to learning, you'll study alongside students on our Games Development course, enabling you to explore a wider range of perspectives and ideas. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding of how every role contributes to the creation of computer games, setting you up for success in the diverse world of game development.

The course is situated in the School of Computer and Engineering Sciences. This is a forward-thinking school that prioritises student satisfaction and employability. The University is known for its high-quality teaching, and the staff on our course are no exception. Our team of experienced lecturers brings both research and industry experience to the course. Ralph Ferneyhough, in particular, has 20 years of experience in the games industry and has contributed to over 30 published commercial games.

View, download and play a selection of games developed by our students for assignments, game jams and dissertations

Why you'll Love it

Learn from professionals with extensive industry and research experience

Learn to design games with a strong technical foundation

Late at night, a dedicated female programmer works diligently, driven by determination and fueled by coffee, as she strives to meet project deadlines ...

Build lifelong friendships whilst working collaboratively

Create Festival Gaming Marathon, Computer Science

Games Design at the University of Chester

What You'll Study

Computing Foundation Years, you are taught to understand key concepts relating to the role of processors, key algorithms, data analysis, HTML website creation, and programming. You will also learn how IT systems and infrastructures are protected from threats.

A Foundation Year, if studied, will allow you to build fundamental skills in scientific and mathematical topics, as well as underlying study practices, to prepare you for a degree.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The BSc Games Design course contains core modules at each level of study and optional modules at Level 4 and Level 5.

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will begin by learning the fundamentals of game development, technical requirements and standards, making use of modern industry standard development tools. You will be introduced to the games industry, its history and impact on the world alongside design concepts, game engine implementations, and content creation pipelines. There is also an opportunity to study a language or to develop your collaborative development skills in a uniquely analogue fashion.

In Year 2 (Level 5), you will continue to develop your content creation skills in more depth. You will explore multiplayer game development, user interface design and audio design. Industry skills will also be developed further through a digital collaborative module and through experiential or placement options. There is also an option to continue studying a language.

In Year 3 (Level 6), you will explore advanced topics in more detail. You will undertake a large individual practical project in your specialism of choice while the ability to focus on your specialism continues with a larger collaborative module which enables you to work with other specialisms across our BSc Games Design and BSc Games Development courses. You will also explore additional platform development, such as mobile game development, as well as develop your user experience knowledge and practical skills further.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you will study 40 credits comprising either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and 12 hours per week depending upon the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught.

This course is delivered primarily in person but with some minor elements of online learning where appropriate. Modules will generally be presented through weekly lectures and practical workshops, where you will be able to work both individually and collaboratively.

You should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that you will be exposed to the different types of tasks you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of practical projects, portfolios of work, written work (e.g. essays) and presentations. There is a focus on collaborative practical assessment throughout, ensuring you gain vital team working skills which will prepare you for your future career. In some modules, you may encounter class tests and practical assessments. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare you for graduate-level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core – building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Study a Common First Year

This course shares a common first year with students on the Games Development course.

This means that you'll learn alongside students studying a similar discipline, helping to broaden your knowledge and exposure to other concepts, perspectives and professions in the first year of your degree.

As you learn and collaborate with students from other courses, you'll not only widen your social and professional network but also learn new skills that will set you up for success in your industry.

In your second and third years, you will progress to studying more specialist modules within games design, developing your skills to become a World Ready graduate.

Undecided between Games Design and Games Development? Don't worry – you can choose to switch courses at the end of your first year thanks to the shared first year between both courses. This gives you the opportunity to explore different areas of the games industry before finalising your decision on your potential future career.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
International Baccalaureate	28 points
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4 Scottish Highers - BBBB
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above
T Level	Merit
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: DMM
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. Applicants must also have GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Maths.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS	72 points
GCE A Level	72 points, including grade D at A Level
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4 Scottish Highers: CCDD
International Baccalaureate	24 points
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall
T Level	T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma: MMP
Extra Information	GCSE Maths at C/4 or above is also required. Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A Level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop, where students choose to do so, the cost it likely to be around £800-£1000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors.

Occasional, optional, field trips may be offered, depending on student demand, these are typically within the UK and where chargeable the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who you'll Learn from

Dr Lee Beever

Programme Leader for BSc Games Development and BSc Games Design

Ralph Ferneyhough

Deputy Head of Computer and Engineering Sciences

Andrew Muncey

Programme Leader for BSc Computer Science

Dr Stuart Cunningham

Programme Leader for MSc Advanced Computer Science

Dr Mike Morgan

Senior Lecturer

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Graduates of this course may enter the games industry in any one of a number of roles, such as level designer, game designer, gameplay scripter, 3D artist or quality assurance tester. It is also excellent preparation for those wishing to start their own, independent games company after graduation.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Games Design BSc (Hons)