Computer Games Design

Computer games design is a discipline that combines creative and conceptual skills with technical knowledge to produce the interactive experiences that have made games one of the world's largest entertainment industries. Game designers are responsible for the systems, mechanics, rules, and narratives that give players something to engage with, and they work alongside artists, programmers, and producers in teams that range from small independent studios to large commercial developers. Understanding what makes games enjoyable, why players engage and return, and how to design experiences that are balanced, accessible, and compelling is at the heart of the discipline.

At the University of Gloucestershire this three-year full-time programme gives you the opportunity to develop your skills through to the level needed to work in the games industry. The programme includes the chance to undertake a year-long work placement in the games industry, immersing you in the fast-paced and dynamic environment of top game studios and giving you direct professional experience before you complete your degree. You will study game mechanics, level design, game narrative, prototyping, and user experience alongside the technical knowledge of game engines and production pipelines that the industry requires.

Graduates from computer games design go on to careers as game designers, level designers, narrative designers, UX designers, and producers in games studios ranging from independent developers to major commercial publishers. The design thinking and creative problem-solving skills the degree develops are also valued in interactive media, UX design for software products, and digital experience design more broadly. The games industry is large, growing, and genuinely global, and the practical experience gained through the placement year is a significant professional asset.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in games design or a related field to deepen their specialism.