Remember the days when we used to play Super Mario with those joysticks? We played and we were lost in time. Though it seems simple now, it was big innovation back then. Fast-forward to 2022, the Gaming experience has reached what we once called the ‘future’. If you’ve got a huge eye for starting your career as a game designer, the United Kingdom is where you should begin. Next to the USA, game design courses offered in the UK are highly valued and considered the best among European countries.
Fact Insert: ‘The average salary of a Game Designer in London is £35,475 per year!’
Read this blog to START your game in the UK!
What is Game Designing?
Game design involves creativity and design to develop a game. You’ll be a writer, an artist, and a programmer. Game design is more of a ‘continuing process’ than a ‘project’. It involves regular customization and improving the user experience of the game.
The characters, new features, and updates involve the active decision of a designer. You become an important person in game development. Yes, YOU!
Why should you study Game Design Courses in the UK?
The United Kingdom is the sixth largest gaming industry in the world and one of the best on the European continent. Did you know more than 32 million people play games in the UK? That said, you will really be at the right place. And not to forget the frequent expos and festivals that take place related to gaming.
Famous gaming companies in the UK are:
- Sony Studios -PlayStation London (The Getaway, Wipeout)
- Rockstar North (Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption)
- Core Design (Tomb Raider, Fighting Force)
- Travellers Tale (LEGO Batman, LEGO Harry, etc)
- Codemasters (Brian Lara, F1, Dirt)
- Sports Interactive (Football Manager 2007)
Your Game Design courses happen very little inside the classroom and more inside gaming studios. In fact, the United Kingdom is home to 2000 gaming studios. Once you graduate, you’ve got big career opportunities that you can make use of.
The UK has got world-renowned universities
Next to the USA, the United Kingdom is ranked second in the world for the best education system. In fact, the UK is home to a few of the oldest universities in the world like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, etc.
The UK is evolved into the perfect destination for international students with an excellent education system, top-notch universities, and a vibrant lifestyle.
Top UK universities offering Game Design courses
Here is the list of universities in the UK offering Game Design courses:
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University of Hull
Course name | Game Design |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 3 years (Full-time) |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
Campus | The University of Hull |
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Staffordshire University
Course name | Game Design |
Degree type | BSc (Hons) |
Duration | 3 years (Full-time) |
IELTS Requirement | Not mandatory |
Campus | Stroke-on-Trent campus |
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University of East London
Course name | Game Design |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 3 years (Full-time) / 5 years (Part-time) |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5 |
Employment after 15 months | 60% |
Campus | Docklands Campus |
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University of Liverpool
Course name | Game Design |
Degree type | BSc(Hons) |
Duration | 3 years |
IELTS Requirement | Not mandatory |
Campus | Main Site |
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University of Farnborough
Course name | Game Design and Development |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 2-year accelerated degree |
IELTS Requirement | No |
Campus | Main Site |
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Bath Spa University
Course name | Game Design and Production |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 3 |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5 |
Campus | Boomsatsuma (Bristol) |
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London South Bank University
Course name | Game Design and Development |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 3 |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
Campus | LSBU Main Site – Southwark Campus |
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City College Plymouth
Course name | Game Design and Production |
Degree type | Foundation Degree in Arts |
Duration (years) | 2 (Full-time) / 3 (Part-time) |
IELTS Requirement | 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) |
Campus | Main site |
To upgrade your skills, you can choose the MA in Game Design course at City College Plymouth
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London South Bank University
Course name | Game Design and Development |
Degree type | BA (Hons) |
Duration | 3 |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
Campus | LSBU Main Site – Southwark Campus |
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Sheffield Hallam University
Course name | Game Art |
Degree type | MA |
Duration | 1 |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
Campus | City Campus |
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University of Suffolk
Course name | Game Development |
Degree type | MSc |
Duration | 1 |
IELTS Requirement | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
Campus | Main Site |
What will you learn in Game Designing?
You’re the HERO when it’s come to the whole Game Development. From giving life to a character to the whole story of the game, you’re the one.
- Techniques of character animation
- Artificial Intelligence scripting
- Data structures and algorithms
- Computer games marketing
- Game development
- Image Rendering
- Theoretical study of game design
- Digital editing
Careers after Game Design courses in the UK
Here’s a list of job roles you can take up after completing game designing in the UK:
1. Computer games developer
2. Game writer
3. Storyline developer
4. Content designer
5. Game tester
6. Software developer
7. World or level designer
8. User interface designer
9. Creative director
10. Animator
Moreover, there are other industries to launch a great career like
1. Forensic computer analyst
2. IT project manager
3. Systems Analyst
4. Web Designer
5. Data scientist
Choose Apprenticeships over working part-time
Apprenticeships in the UK allow you to work in your specific industry while you study. You can enquire about apprenticeships with gaming studios in the UK and start working. This is a great opportunity as you can learn skills in gaming and get industry knowledge.
From ‘newb’ to becoming a ‘game designer’!
The United Kingdom has the sixth biggest gaming industry in the world. With more than 2000 gaming studios, 200+ undergraduate courses, and 40+ postgraduate courses, the UK will be your biggest ‘academic arcade’.
START your game design course in the UK with CanApprove. From college selection and admissions to student visa and post-landing services, we cover it all.
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FAQs on Game Design courses in the UK
1. How long are game design courses in England?
Most undergraduate courses take 3 to 4 years while postgraduate courses take 1 or 2 years. It depends on the mode of education, such as full-time or part-time.
2. What are TIGA-accredited gaming courses in the UK?
TIGA is a non-profit trade organization that represents the Gaming Industry in the UK. TIGA-accredited gaming courses make sure universities offer education with relevant industry knowledge.
3. Can I choose gaming courses with a placement year in the UK?
Of course, it’d be a great choice. Working in your relevant industry in the final year could make your career even better in the UK.
4. How to choose the best UK university for Game Design?
Get individual consultations and the best study abroad services from the experts at CanApprove to get all the guidance to study gaming in the UK. Begin now!