BSc Games Design
About this course
BSc (Hons) Games Design is an undergraduate degree centred on computer games creation, interactive storytelling and technical game development. Core topics include Programming, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year, and students have the option to undertake a 4-week work placement on the three-year route or a minimum 30-week placement on the four-year route. The course begins with Year 0, which builds fundamental capabilities through Art & Design in Creative Industries, Algorithmic Thinking, Digital Tools, Study Skills for Creative Industries, and Foundation Project. Year 1 establishes core competencies via Games Design Principles, Game Art Fundamentals, Scripting for Games, Level Design Fundamentals, Game Modelling Fundamentals, and Game Development Pipeline. Year 2 advances technical and collaborative abilities through Game Audio Techniques, Materials Creation and Lighting, Interface Design, Game Studio Project, Modelling for Animation, and Storytelling and Narrative Development. The final year focuses on advanced professional practice and independent research through Usability & Games Analytics, Games Futures, Game Animation, Contemporary Innovations in Games, and Individual Development Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
For 2027 entry: 112–128 UCAS tariff points (A-level grades BBC–ABB) including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent qualifications. We also accept a wide range of vocational qualifications including BTEC Extended Diploma (grade DMM–DDM) and T Levels (Merit).
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 89%: 354 offers from 396 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 89 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 81%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 36 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 61%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Further study: 7%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 25%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 15%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 18%
- South East: 33%
- South West: 29%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association) as delivering skills relevant to the games industry. TIGA accreditation is applicable to courses meeting any of a wide range of games industry needs, such as programming, art, design and entrepreneurship.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Art & Design in Creative Industries
- Algorithmic Thinking
- Digital Tools
- Study Skills for Creative Industries
- Foundation Project
- Games Design Principles
- Game Art Fundamentals
- Scripting for Games
- Level Design Fundamentals
- Game Modelling Fundamentals
- Game Development Pipeline
- Game Audio Techniques
- Materials Creation and Lighting
- Interface Design
- Game Studio Project
- Modelling for Animation
- Storytelling and Narrative Development
- Usability & Games Analytics
- Games Futures
- Game Animation
- Contemporary Innovations in Games
- Individual Development Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £24,000 and £45,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Computer games and animation.
What do graduates of BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 56 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University?
89% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 354 offers from 396 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association) as delivering skills relevant to the games industry. TIGA accreditation is applicable to courses meeting any of a wide range of games industry needs, such as programming, art, design and entrepreneurship.
Does BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Games Design at Bournemouth University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.