Games and Playful Design

Entry requirements

You should have an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard with an interest in and capability for working in interdisciplinary contexts using technology. In exceptional circumstances, outstanding practitioners or individuals with strong commercial experience may be considered.

Months of entry

September

Course content

On this brave games Masters focusing on game design, you’ll explore the ways that games are used in the creative arts to engage conversation, inspire personal expression, and explore our world

Why study MA Games and Playful Design

This degree will teach you how to use game design to develop aesthetic awareness, and create meaningful experiences. With technology and gaming becoming part of our everyday lives, the industry has adapted to use games to tell stories, generate knowledge, and educate the public.

An explosion of games and apps has created a new breed of entrepreneur, with small teams able to create and launch projects that are accessible to millions. This rising market has become increasingly successful in the UK.

Throughout this degree:

• You’ll learn how to build compelling mechanics, craft innovative narratives, and develop immersive playable environments.
• We’ll encourage you to push games into new territories and intellectual domains.
• You’ll explore the freedom of the gaming industry, from putting players in immersive augmented worlds to telling transformational personal narratives, these new experiences are redefining the rules of play.
• You’ll be part of a supportive community of game creators, working on your own or teaming up with fellow students from other games and art programmes.
• You’ll benefit from a vibrant hands-on environment led by lecturers with solid experience in the games industry and other experience design industries.
• You’ll have access to our specialist lab facilities, as well as a large library of video and board games.
• You’ll explore games in a broad way, from industry-oriented development to VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), building your own alternative controllers, and creating large-scale installations or immersive theatre experiences.
• You’ll be able to participate in regular game jams and industry events on campus.
• We’ll mentor you to help you find your voice and place as a game and experience designer, setting you up with the skills to shape your career whether as an independent studio owner or elsewhere in the games industry.
• You’ll gain a host of transferrable skills that are valuable in game design but also in other industries. These include independent games, XR (extended reality) studios, interactive film, advertising and media outlets, journalism, non-profits, education, design, and fine arts.

Information for international students

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 overall and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees and funding

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.