Games Design and Development

Games Design and Development is a discipline that occupies a distinctive position in the creative industries, bringing together artistic, technical and design skills to create interactive experiences that engage players in ways unique to the medium. The games industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of the global creative economy, encompassing everything from console blockbusters and mobile games to indie titles, serious games for education and training, and virtual reality experiences. Making games requires a combination of visual design, narrative thinking, programming, systems design and an understanding of player psychology that no other creative field demands in quite the same way.

At Middlesex University in London, this part-time programme develops your skills across the full games development pipeline, from concept and design through prototyping, programming and in-engine scripting to a finished, playable product. You will develop your programming ability alongside your understanding of game mechanics, level design, user experience, and the tools and engines that professional games developers use. The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement, giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the industry alongside your academic studies, building the portfolio and professional connections that studios look for in new graduates.

Graduates of Games Design and Development programmes work as game designers, programmers, level designers, UX designers, technical artists, and project managers in studios ranging from large publishers to small independent teams. London's position as a significant European games development hub means that Middlesex's urban location is a genuine asset for networking and professional opportunity. Many graduates also move into adjacent areas such as interactive media, virtual reality, simulation, and user experience design, where games development skills are increasingly in demand.