Computer Games Design BSc (Hons) - With A Foundation Year (Staffordshire University)

This course is awarded by Staffordshire University, with progression through to level 6. The course structure aligns with our validated, TIGA accredited course written and delivered at Staffordshire University.

You’ll study your first year (foundation year) at our Tottenham centre. On successful completion, you will continue your studies for the following three years at Staffordshire University London at the Digital Institute based in Here East. High levels of tutor support and guidance will prepare you for degree-level study.

The foundation year will give you your first experience of studying games in an academic environment. You will learn the foundations of game design and the use of game engines, whilst also building your first 3D assets.

After the successful completion of your foundation year, you will go on to learn:

• The use of game engines in the creation of games, the creation of game-ready 3D assets, and the animation of game assets, all using industry-standard approaches and software
• Environment modelling, character modelling, lighting, hand-keyed animation, hard-surface modelling, cinematics, and using animations in a game engine
• To work with fellow students to create game products
• Further advanced topics such as visual effects in game engines, the use of emergent and cutting-edge tools

Staffordshire University will issue you the BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Design with an Animation award after successfully completing the study.

Foundation Year Core Modules

• 3D Modelling Foundations
• Games Design Foundations
• Games Engine Foundations
• Introduction to Games Scholarship
• Introduction to Collaborative Enterprise

Year 1 Core Modules

• 3D Game Props: Pipeline and Production
• Introduction to Asset Creation
• Introduction to Games Animation
• Introduction to Games Design
• Mechanics Prototyping
• Project Management for Games Design

Year 2 Core Modules

• 3D Character Modelling for Games
• Art of Lighting
• Cinematics for Games Design
• Game Engines and Animation Systems
• Junior Collaborative Games Development
• Modular 3D Game Envinroments

Year 3 Core Modules 

• Advance Modelling Showcase
• Emergent Games Technologies
• Games Development Project
• Procedural Development and VFX
• Senior Collaborative Games Development

You will need:

• UCAS Tariff - 48 points

or

• A Level - DD

or

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run-up to higher education and may not have met the entry requirements listed. If this is the case don’t worry, please contact the Staffordshire University admissions team at enquiries@staffs.ac.uk.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

• Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
• Written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
• Academic writing (including how to reference)
• Research skills
• Critical thinking and understanding argument
• Revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

For information on our Higher Education policies including admissions, fees, and student contracts, please see the links below:

• Admissions Policy
• Complaints Policy
• Fees Policy
• HE Student Contract
• HE Student Protection Plan

For our full list of policies, governance and fees please visit our policy page.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent projects and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Foundation year

• 25% practical assessments
• 75% coursework
• 0% written exams

Year 1

• 0% practical assessments
• 100% coursework
• 0% written exams

Year 2

• 0% practical assessments
• 100% coursework
• 0% written exams

Year 3

• 0% practical assessments
• 100% coursework
• 0% written exams

Adults - Level 3

If you will be aged 19 to 23 prior to the start date of your course, and do not already have a full Level 3 qualification, you may be eligible for a Level 3 entitlement, in which case your study with us will be free. If you are older, or already have a Level 3, we have many other Level 3 courses that are also free to study. Otherwise, you will have to pay the fees yourself or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Adults - Higher Education

You must pay fees to study a Higher Education (HE) course. If you have not studied one previously, you may be eligible to apply for an HE loan. Other financial support such as maintenance loans and disability support are also available.

Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

Tuition Fees: £9,250 per year of study (full-time)

You will be required to travel between our Tottenham centre and Staffordshire University London's Digital Institute once a week; the cost of travel will be no more than £5 per week.

You can progress onto employment in this field.