Masters Degrees (Game Design)

Program overview

The master of science degree in game design and development explores the entertainment technology landscape, along with other related areas of software development. The program has its technical roots in the computing and information science disciplines, while simultaneously covering the breadth of the game development field through course work in topics such as computer graphics, game engines, interactive narrative, and game design. The degree is specifically for students who aspire to careers within the professional gaming industry or a related field such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.

This is a two-year, on-campus, cohort-based program in which students are admitted through a portfolio review process. During the second year, students form development teams that construct a working game engine and software title as the program capstone experience. This requirement includes both individual and group expectations. The capstone culminates in a defense before program faculty, as well as a public exhibition. Combined, these requirements provide a unique and comprehensive educational experience for individuals who aspire to a career in the game development industry.

Plan of study

The program's curriculum consists of required courses, a choice of five advanced electives, and a capstone experience.

Capstone experience

During the second year, students complete a team-based capstone experience where students present and defend their work. This presentation includes a faculty review, which constitutes the capstone defense, a public presentation, and a demonstration.

Curriculum

Game design and development, MS degree, typical course sequence:
First Year
-Game Development Processes
-Game Design
-Gameplay and Prototyping
-Colloquium in Game Design and Development
-Game Industry Themes and Perspectives
-Advanced Electives
Second Year
-Capstone Design
-Advanced Electives
-Game Industry Themes and Perspectives
-Capstone Development

See website for further details of available electives: https://www.rit.edu/programs/game-design-and-development-ms

Other admission requirements

-Submission of a portfolio and/or scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. If you choose to submit a portfolio it should include evidence of individual and group projects (clearly marked as such) relevant to the area you wish to study within the degree program.
-Complete a graduate application.
-International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based) is required. International applicants also are required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Due to the cohort nature of the program, students are admitted in the fall semester only. Admission to the program is highly competitive. While GRE scores are not required for domestic students, students may submit scores to strengthen their application. Those applicants with a GPA below 3.25 are required to submit GRE scores.

Additional information

Prerequisites:
Students are expected to have at least one year of significant programming experience in a current object-oriented language—preferably C++ or Java—and a solid working knowledge of website development and interactive multimedia concepts. If students do not have these prerequisites, additional course work may be recommended to bridge any educational gaps.

Maximum time limit:
University policy requires that graduate programs be completed within seven years of the student's initial registration for courses in the program. Bridge courses are excluded.

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A degree for information technology and computer science graduates and recognised I.T. professionals who seek to further their knowledge and skills in advanced computing, programming, Interactive Technologies and Games Design.

Get the edge

The games industry is one of the fastest evolving and fastest growing industries in Australia.
Advancing your skills and knowledge in this specialist area with our Master of Information Technology (Interactive Technologies and Games Design) program will give you the edge on other graduates embarking on a career in this exciting field.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for Information Technology graduates, Computer Science graduates and recognised IT professionals who wish to further their knowledge and skills in this field.

Course l earning outcomes

JCU graduates are committed to lifelong learning, intellectual development, and to the display of exemplary personal, professional and ethical standards. They have a sense of their place in the tropics and are charged with professional, community, and environmental responsibility. JCU graduates appreciate the need to embrace and be acquainted with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia. They are committed to reconciliation, diversity and sustainability. They exhibit a willingness to lead and to contribute to the intellectual, environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges of regional, national, and international communities of the tropics.
In the context of a JCU graduate on successful completion of the Master of Information Technology graduates will be able to:
*Critically analyse to select appropriate tools and technologies to meet project requirements
*Evaluate industry standard contexts for project management approaches
*Apply lateral and original thinking to conceptualise and evaluate a range of solutions to relevant problems
*Demonstrate the ability to conduct their research in an ethical manner
*Advance knowledge of technologies and networking methods at both area networks and Internet level
*Critically evaluate legal and ethical issues including scope of liability and digital rights management
*Apply lateral and original thinking to conceptualise and evaluate a range of solutions to relevant problems
*Communicate technical information clearly through presentations, demonstrations and documentation
*Apply appropriate tools and technologies to meet project managements
*Use independent judgment to synthesise information to make intellectual and/or creative advances
*Critically reflect on progress to tailor self-learning goals to advance professional development.

Award title

MASTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (MInfTech)

Entry requirements (Additional)

English band level 1 - the minimum English Language test scores you need are:
*Academic IELTS – 6.0 (no component lower than 5.5), OR
*TOEFL – 550 (plus minimum Test of Written English score of 4.0), OR
*TOEFL (internet based) – 79 (minimum writing score of 19), OR
*Pearson (PTE Academic) - 57

If you meet the academic requirements for a course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will be given the opportunity to take an English program to improve your skills in addition to an offer to study a degree at JCU. The JCU degree offer will be conditional upon the student gaining a certain grade in their English program. This combination of courses is called a packaged offer.
JCU’s English language provider is Union Institute of Languages (UIL). UIL have teaching centres on both the Townsville and Cairns campuses.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Why JCU?

James Cook University’s professional programs are internationally recognised and teaching staff are often research leaders in their fields.

Application deadlines

*1st February for commencement in semester one (February)
*1st July for commencement in semester two (mid-year/July)

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About the course

The video game industry is a vastly growing sector in both the UK and worldwide and the need for highly skilled and educated individuals is in high demand across the globe. With Brunel’s Digital Games Theory and Design MA programme, individuals will engage in, and experiment with, practical game design focussing on the process of devising the gameplay experience itself, including (but not limited to) the creation of rules, gameplay mechanics, narrative, world design and user experience, among many other aspects that make up the art of game design.

Coupled with a theoretical underpinning that focuses on the formal characteristics of games and analysis as well as the social and cultural contexts that shape the development of games, players, and society, this exciting programme offers students the opportunity to develop a range of skills that are required for success in today’s competitive job market.

Our programme is staffed with seasoned games designers and internationally published scholars who bring with them an extensive understanding of the nature of the video game industry, the importance of networks and the need for scholarly engagement in order to create innovative games for the future.

Aims

You will gain a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the advanced academic study of digital games and the techniques and principles used in their design.

You will be provided with the relevant expertise, teaching and learning environment to support your critical and creative engagement with issues at the cutting edge of analysing and designing digital games. You will contribute to the process of defining ‘game studies’ as a new academic discipline.

You will develop skills and knowledge to gain employment in the digital games industry and make contributions to the development of innovative games that go beyond current markets.

You will acquire the skills necessary to undertake doctoral level research.

Course Content

The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.

Each module will have a range of assessments; some practical, others written.

Game Design 1 (term 1, 30 credits) - practical group design projects (small); written evaluative case study 2000 words; assessed presentation

Critical Approaches (term 1, 30 credits) - 2 x 3000 word essays

Game Design 2 (term 2, 30 credits) - 1 x practical design project tailored to a specific platform (large); written evaluative case study 3000 words; assessed presentation

Socio-Cultural Contexts (term 2, 30 credits) (1 x 6000 word essays)

Dissertation in Digital Games Design: Theory and Design - either 12,000-18,000 words or 8,000 words with practical component - delivered in either digital format or as a design document (term 3, 60 credits)

Students are expected to use the MA forum for discussions and are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular support activities such as game jams, local game related and networking events in order to practice the creative and technical skills developed throughout the programme and foster conversation and connections that are an invaluable part of the post-graduate experience.

Special Features

Students will engage in, and experiment with, practical games creation, with workshops led by designers working in the industry, as well as explore a range of theories and concepts with which to analyse the values of games, play and pleasure.

This programme offers a unique focus on practical games design, informed by theory that is not offered by any other university. It is not a software or graphics training programme.

We have a team of experienced games researchers teaching on the programme, some of whom have played a pioneering role in making game studies a new academic discipline.

Assessment

Assessment is via a combination of practical games-making work, presentations and essays of varying length.

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About the course

The results of unsustainable human development in the 21st century are evident as climate change, species extinction, pollution, poverty and inequality become inescapable global realities. The next big challenge for society is to transform our economy to incorporate the principles of sustainability. This presents an exciting opportunity to rethink, redesign and rebuild a positive future for business practice.

The MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Design (with Professional Development) is an 18-month programme – 12 months for the study at Brunel followed by a six-month professional development phase. There is an option to complete the MSc in Sustainability,
Entrepreneurship and Design in 12 months (without the professional development phase) but students will be encouraged to engage with the professional development phase to achieve the maximum from the programme.

Brunel University also offers the Graduate Entrepreneur post-study visa, which represents a perfect opportunity for our international graduates to apply their new skills in the UK following graduation.

The course is jointly run between the College of Health and Life Sciences, the School of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, and Brunel Business School.

Aims

This programme will equip entrepreneurial minded graduates with two essential ingredients:

- firstly, the mindset and ability to play a key role in building a sustainable world – one that is not only prosperous, but also environmentally stable and socially inclusive
- secondly, hands-on experience, such that they can become entrepreneurs, business leaders, change-makers and innovators.

Upon graduating, students will be able to become key figures in local, regional, national or global businesses; holistic thinkers and visionary leaders in their communities, corporations, businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies.

They will be encouraged to infuse environmental awareness into societies and make tangible contributions to the theory and practice of environmental protection, sustainable business and a circular (green) economy.

Course Content

Core modules

Introduction to Strategic Sustainable Development
Entrepreneurship
Business Planning
International Business Ethics, Sustainability and Corporate Governance
Sustainable Design
Professional Design Studio
Integrated Assessment - Sustainability, Entreprenuership and Design
Dissertation
Sustainable Development in Practice (Compulsory for the MSc with professional development).

Teaching

The programme will be delivered beginning with an overview of core concepts and followed by progressively deeper consideration and application of the concepts later on through a self-directed learning approach. It is structured to provide leadership opportunities and move progressively from learning the "rules of the game" to "playing the game". This means that as the programme progresses it becomes less instructor-led and more student-led where students direct their learning towards their own needs and tap the collective wisdom of the group via project work.

There will be four integrated streams:

1. Ecological and sustainability theory
2. Leadership
3. Design and Innovation
4. Business planning and start up.

The benefits of this combination will be unique; students will be cross trained, drawing upon the resources of a world class university. They will develop three complementary networks of peers and alumni and engage in Brunel’s collegiate experience, interacting with students and faculty from three corners of the university. Through this combination, graduates will able to enter the professional arena with an energetic and inspired approach to societal change.

By taking part in the programme, students will gain:

o The deep scientific knowledge for strategic planning towards a sustainable society, including ecological theory and sustainability design principles
o Innovation, creativity and team working skills
o Experiential learning and mentorship from leading entrepreneurs and business leaders
o Communication skills to enable working with members of engineering, design and marketing teams
o Leadership skills
o Intensive corporate exposure
o Career paths as sustainability practitioners in business, academia, government, and community organisations.
o Business start up opportunities
o Membership of the Made in Brunel Sustainable Business alumni, an elite group of successful ecopreneurs and their mentors
o Additional support to enhance your employability skills beyond the MSc through the Business Life Programme.

Assessment

- Integrated coursework on core sustainability and business, and sustainability & design module content.
- Formal written examinations
- Individual and Group coursework assignments
- Oral and Poster presentations
- Dissertation in the form of a Business plan, product design or research proposal
- Reflective Portfolio (for optional six-month Professional Development period)

Special Features

The programme has a number of innovative features. For example:

The fusion of environmental education with design, entrepreneurial and business skills

Structural flexibility - so that the needs and desires of individuals can be met through offering optional modules within various themes relevant to sustainable enterprise

Practice based assessments - for example, the development of a detailed business plan for those who wish to start their own business, a product design for those taking the designer/innovator route, or a research proposal for those wishing to pursue a career in research or bid writing

Professional development activities - following the multidisciplinary learning programme, students will undertake a six month professional development activity in which - for example - they will undertake an internship or start their own business. (The provision of incubator space for these students will be an integral part of the MSc and is another distinctive feature of the programme. The students will also be equipped with pitching skills and a business mentor).

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Why study an MA by Dissertation in Art & Design?

MA by Dissertation in Art & Design is designed to help students review, develop and progress their practice as an artist or designer. The course has been created to enhance the breadth and depth of students’ artistic abilities and capacities for self-direction and professionalism. It will allow students to develop an individual practice and engender the required excellence to successfully become a creative professional.

If you would like to find out more about our postgraduate courses in Art & Design please see here: http://www.writtle.ac.uk/design/postgraduate.cfm

Who is the course for?

The MA by Dissertation in Art and Design is for those with art and/or design degrees or related Honours qualifications. These include, for example: fine art, graphic design, illustration, interactive media, networked media, architecture, interior, landscape and garden design, and art history. Students may choose to progress straight from their undergraduate studies or return to their studies after a period of work. As a non-taught postgraduate degree, the MA by Dissertation offers students the opportunity to identify and refine an area of research within an open studio culture of debate and practice led by established practicing artists, curators, theorists and art historians. A portfolio of work and CV are required, together with a letter addressing research interests and reasons for applying.

Course aims

Giving students an intellectually-stimulating and creative environment in which they can further develop their potential as an artist or designer.
Providing teaching and peer-group learning that is both challenging and responsive to student needs.

Providing a place for debate that aids students in becoming increasingly articulate and professional in questioning and improving their works and goals.

Providing practical support and the necessary technical resources for creating works in a range of different media.

Developing a range of transferable skills and the knowledge of how to apply them in the art and design industries.

Delivery and assessment

While the MA by Dissertation is a non-taught postgraduate degree, students benefit from, and contribute to, the dynamism of the studio-based Art and Design courses at Writtle School of Design. Students attend a weekly seminar in which they present their research findings and practice to tutors and fellow students.
Assessment is in three parts: a dissertation, portfolio of practice-based research and an exhibition or final major project that embodies the results of the research carried out.

Dissertation:

The dissertation comprises a written thesis (of up to 10,000 words) which sets out the relationship between the student’s work and the wider field of knowledge/the subject area, addressing the theoretical, historical and critical context of their work.

The Portfolio of Research:

The portfolio of research is a comprehensive body of developmental work that demonstrates an exploratory and reflective approach to an appropriate breadth of media, tools and techniques. The format of this portfolio is agreed with supervisors but may include a blog, journal, sketchbook and/or a collection of sketches and models.

The Final Exhibition:

The public presentation of art and design work is an important aspect of creative professional life and students will be supported in planning, promoting and implementing a public presentation of their work to a professional standard at the end of the course.

Throughout the programme students will engage with the following activities:

Semester one:
• Introduction to Research Methods
• Discussion of texts
• Exhibition visits
• Exploration and reflection on tools, techniques, materials
• Seminars

Semester two:
• Development of work towards final exhibition or major project
• Discussion of texts
• Exhibition visits
• Seminars

Spring-Summer:
• Dissertation – supported by seminars and tutorials

Career prospects

Career possibilities for art and design graduates have increased over recent years, reflecting the burgeoning opportunities within the cultural sector in the UK and internationally. Graduates work as professional artists, filmmakers, graphic designers, game designers, curators, and gallery professionals in public and private galleries. They also write for magazines, newspapers and journals on a whole variety of cultural topics. Other career opportunities for MA graduates include residency programmes, community-led outreach work and teaching art or design. Students who are on our MA programme may already be professional artists or designers who wish to reinvigorate and refocus their practice.

To find out more about our careers guidance, please see here: http://www.writtle.ac.uk/Careers

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This course is aimed at creative graduates who want to develop the skills to work in the exciting area of games design. On this course you develop specialist skills to produce real-time game art with the latest 3D software used by industry. Areas include 3D modelling, asset design for props, environments and characters. The course is designed to allow you to specialise in the area of games design that is the most interest to you.

You focus on art and design fundamentals to underpin your 3D game designs as well as engaging with theory to develop your awareness of game mechanics and what makes games fun. These skills can be applied through game development projects undertaken in small teams with ‘Games Software Development’ students. You work in an ‘industry simulation’ style environment to produce game prototypes which could be released through our commercial studio ‘Steel Minions’. This gives you the opportunity to experience commercial team development practices in preparation for entering the industry.

Course structure

Modules

• 3D fundamentals
• Asset creation
• Game development practice

Also • games design futures project • creative media research and development proposal • creative media professional practice project • creative media masters project

Assessment

• coursework

Employability

Creative and skilled games artists and designers are in demand to meet the need for new and exciting products, as the industry relies on them to develop the next generation of games. Areas of work include • 2D and 3D art • animation • concept design • mobile, console and PC based platforms.

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Serious games and virtual reality represent a large, and actively growing, industry – the application of modern games technology in a wide range of areas around medicine, training, education, security and beyond. While educational games already represent a multi-billion dollar global industry, the recent growth in virtual reality has seen predictions that this market will grow to $150 billion dollars by 2020 (Techcrunch, April 6, 2015).

The MSc provides students with the skills to become a key part of this explosive growth, and potential to become key innovators in this exciting and rapidly developing area. The MSc offers students with prior programming/scripting experience the transferable skills to design, develop and analyse games and simulations for a range of application areas and to conduct interdisciplinary research in the serious applications of games technology, particularly in healthcare, education and training.

As Virtual Reality and interaction technologies approach mainstream adoption, new opportunities for the application of immersive games technologies in engineering, medicine and in the home are putting games at the forefront of innovation worldwide.

At the School of Simulation and Visualisation we already have years of experience working on a wide range of serious games based projects for industrial, medical, heritage and education clients, building on our research and our expertise in 3D modeling and animation, motion capture technology and software development. We are pleased to be able to share our experience and expertise with this MSc.

Programme Structure:

Stage 1

Core Research Skills for Postgraduates
Games Programming
Serious Game Design and Research
School of Simulation and Visualisation Elective: Choose one from
Interactive Heritage Visualisation
Applications in Medical Visualisation

Stage 2

Motion Capture & Interaction
Audio for games & interactive applications
Serious Games Development
GSA Elective
Stage 3

MSc Research Project
Part time study is also available. Please see the Part Time Study Guide for more information.

Entry Qualifications:

You should have a Honours degree or equivalent professional practice in any of the following disciplines:

Computer science, computer graphics, computer programming, software development, mathematics, or physics
Computer games programming, game development, game design, game art, 3D modeling and animation, interactive systems
High calibre graduates from other disciplines may be considered if they are able to demonstrate an interest and ability in the field of serious games development.

IELTS 6.0 for overseas applicants for whom English is not their first language.

Scholarships and Funded Places:

Information on career development loans and financial support can be found in the fees and funding pages.

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Develop the skills and strong relationships with leaders in the UK digital games industry that will help you pursue a successful career in games- http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/mphil-phd-intelligent-games/

As part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI) – a collaboration between Goldsmiths, the University of York, and the University of Essex – we are training the next generation of researchers, designers, developers and entrepreneurs in digital games.

It's a unique opportunity for you to undertake research in collaboration with our 60 industrial games partners and world-leading academics.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Jeremy Gow.

Structure

The programme combines practical skills training with advanced teaching in cutting-edge research topics and the chance to contribute original research to a growing academic area.

There are 12 weeks of taught modules in the first year, covering:

Game design
Game development
Research skills

You'll also undertake two industrial placements during the programme. This will give you first-hand industrial experience that will influence your research projects.

You could decide to carry out leading-edge research in emerging areas that could include:

Embodied interaction
Intelligent games/Believable characters
Gamification
AI for game design

The MPhil programme offers the opportunity for the student to continue their research to a PhD.

Department

Computing at Goldsmiths is ranked 17th in the UK for the quality of our research**

**Research Excellence Framework 2014, Times Higher Education research intensity subject rankings

The Department of Computing offers a creative, contemporary and pioneering approach to the discipline.

From developing computers that can compose music and paint pictures, to defining and implementing new social media tools and applications, we aim to invigorate computing and the world around it.

Learn by doing

We place a great emphasis on creativity, independence and ‘learning by doing’. Students undertake practical work in real-world situations, carrying out projects in ways that mirror industry practice.

Interdisciplinary approach

We also promote an interdisciplinary approach to the subject: from computational arts to games and entertainment, and from data science to digital journalism.

Industry experts

You’ll be taught by industry experts – our academics are deeply engaged in current research, with many applying their knowledge and skills to developing cutting-edge technology. And we have close links with industry, too, regularly inviting leading professionals to deliver lectures and talks.

Skills & Careers

Develop the skills and strong relationships with leaders in the UK digital games industry that will help you pursue a successful career in games.

You'll be able to lead and define the state of the art in gaming, and will have the skills needed to shape the industry into one that is both technologically advanced and research aware.

You'll also benefit from the relationships you developed with the UK digital games industry, which could form the basis of a network of professional contacts that is likely to be very useful in the future.

Funding

Please visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/fees-funding/ for details.

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Computer games are expected to reach a global revenue of $111bn in 2015; yet over half of the UK’s video games employers reported a lack of suitably-skilled graduates in 2011. Both for entertainment and for more serious purposes such as virtual reality training, computer games, gamification and games intelligences are increasingly important in today’s world. This is your opportunity to turn your passion into a career.

At Essex we specialise in virtual worlds, machine learning, artificial intelligence and high-level games design and development. On our course, you develop both theoretical and practical knowledge of computer games. Our flexible approach allows you to fill gaps in your knowledge and brush up on a variety of languages, making sure you’re ready to bring your designs to life.

You explore topics including:
-Game design
-Game AI
-3D games development
-Mobile app programming
-Physics-based games

Our School is a community of scholars leading the way in technological research and development. Today’s computer scientists are creative people who are focused and committed, yet restless and experimental. We are home to many of the world’s top scientists, and our work is driven by creativity and imagination as well as technical excellence.

We are ranked Top 10 in the UK in the 2015 Academic Ranking of World Universities, with more than two-thirds of our research rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent (REF 2014).

Professional accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).This accreditation is increasingly sought by employers, and provides the first stage towards eventual professional registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Our expert staff

The University of Essex was the birthplace of the ‘virtual world’. Multi-User Dungeons (MUD) – multi-player, real-time virtual worlds – were created by our students, including Richard Bartle, who still teaches Computer Games here today. Richard was also included in Geek.com’s list of the most influential game developers of all time.

Our research staff also include Professor Victor Callaghan, who researches immersive reality, creative science and education technology; Dr Michael Gardner, who researches virtual reality systems and mixed-reality environments; and Dr Adrian Clark, who works on computer graphics and augmented reality.

More broadly, our research covers a range of topics, from materials science and semiconductor device physics, to the theory of computation and the philosophy of computer science, with most of our research groups based around laboratories offering world-class facilities.

Our impressive external research funding stands at over £4 million and we participate in a number of EU initiatives and undertake projects under contract to many outside bodies, including government and industrial organisations.

Specialist facilities

We are one of the largest and best resourced computer science and electronic engineering schools in the UK. Our work is supported by extensive networked computer facilities and software aids, together with a wide range of test and instrumentation equipment.
-Essex is one of three co-founding universities of the new Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence
-We have six laboratories that are exclusively for computer science and electronic engineering students. Three are open 24/7, and you have free access to the labs except when there is a scheduled practical class in progress
-All computers run either Windows 7 or are dual boot with Linux
-Software includes Java, C++, Perl, MySQL, Matlab, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project
-Students have access to CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OPNET)
-We also have specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors

Your future

Graduates of our School go on to work for giants in the field such as Intel and Panasonic, but the corporate route isn’t for everyone. Some of the most exciting and innovative work in the field is being developed by small start-up companies. Our optional business module focuses on developing your entrepreneurial spirit, teaching you how to apply your technical and creative skills to your own venture.

Our recent graduates have progressed to a variety of senior positions in industry and academia.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Example structure

-Game Design
-Game Artificial Intelligence
-Physics-Based Games
-Mobile & Social Application Programming
-MSc Project and Dissertation
-Professional Practice and Research Methodology
-Group Project (Incorporating a Game Jam)
-Programming in Python (optional)
-Intelligent Systems and Robotics (optional)
-Machine Learning and Data Mining (optional)
-Text Analytics (optional)
-Virtual Worlds (optional)
-High-Level Games Development (optional)
-Natural Language Engineering (optional)
-Creating and Growing a New Business Venture (optional)

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90% of all marketing roles require some digital marketing experience or analytical skills (McKinley Partners, 2016). The marketing environment has changed and digital skills are now key to success in the global market. Update your skills set through the critical examination of today’s digital environment with a specific focus on the impact of technology on brand and consumer engagement.

Programme Description

We’ve combined our research-led knowledge with practical expertise from the private and public sectors to build a programme that will prepare you with the essential knowledge and skills to become a digital thought leader and to move your career forward.

We focus on the core concepts and principles of digital and brand marketing, data analytics and game design with a global digital environment. You’ll study topics in digital marketing, brand development, digital branding and marketing strategy, along with data analytics and the principles of game design. Additionally you’ll undertake two research focused modules, including your dissertation.

This is a new programme, developed with industry support to meet the requirements for modern marketers. Our graduates will have the skills and knowledge to move from a traditional marketing role into a digital role, such as digital brand manager, marketing manager, social media and digital analytics manager, or to move into a leadership role in marketing, brand development and strategy in today’s global and digital economy.

A flexible course allowing you to manage your own timetable and study online combined with real-time video and chat sessions working together with your peers. Course material includes dynamic video lectures, collaborative group projects and online support from your tutors.

Graduate Opportunities

There is a high demand for graduates with digital marketing skills. With a global outlook, an appreciation for responsible leadership and strong employability skills prospects of graduates from this programme include a range of roles such as Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Project Manager, Social Media and Data Analytics Consultant and Project Manager, both in the UK and internationally.

Teaching Methods

A flexible course allowing you to manage your own timetable and study online combined with real-time video and chat sessions working together with your peers. Course material includes dynamic video lectures, collaborative group projects and online support from your tutors.

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Award: Master of Arts, University of Chichester

If you have a strong interest in video games and a background in music or audio, then this master’s degree course will give you the skills you need to work as a sound designer in video games. As a career it’s both creatively fulfilling and technically challenging. Creating audio worlds, storytelling with sound, finding innovate technical solutions to creative problems is what this postgraduate degree course is all about.

The course has been developed in close consultation with the industry so we know we are teaching you the skills your future employers want you to have. It’s a strongly project focused course and you will develop an effective workflow, remote working and collaboration and a clear understanding of what’s expected of a professional member of the game audio team.

You need to be technically literate and learn software easily. This course does not require you to learn to code but you will be developing a powerful combination of creative and technical abilities that are market-focused. Working in games is all about finding new ways of doing things and creative problem solving. This postgraduate course accurately reflects the working life of a games composer working as part of remote working team.
All your tutors are working professional video game sound designers.

You will work on a inspiring range of games, including commercial releases, provided as part of your course materials. You will learn not only how to create inspiring interactive music and sound but also how to implement your audio inside the game using industry standard middleware like FMOD and WWise.

Game audio courses and sound design schools are relatively few and far between. This is currently the only online master’s degree in game audio available. Whether you are a composer looking to increase your chances of employment or an audio professional with a passion a for sound design, our MA will bring you real-world professional tuition you need to lay the solid foundations of a career in video game sound design and audio.

Course Highlights

- Personal 1-to-1 tuition from top professional sound designers.
- Work on over 30 real-world projects. The workload is challenging but it’s only through hard work that you will truly reach the next level.
- Detailed feedback from working professionals, online workshops and tutorial groups, forum discussions and exclusive webinars.
- Unique programme developing key, industry facing skill sets, to prepare you for a career as a video game sound designer.

Fees

All of our postgraduate courses have a flat fee, regardless of whether you are full or part time.

Course: £8,850 / $12,950 / €11,600

Fees can be paid as one upfront cost, or as instalments spread monthly across the duration of the course.

Students are required to buy, rent or access additional books, scores, recordings, films and other reference material.

Time Commitment

In the UK, an MA involves 180 academic credits and each credit represents a notional 10 hours of work..

For Sound Design for Video Games students there are 24 projects including a longer Major Project at the end of the course.

Practice based creative degrees are notoriously difficult to quantify in terms of how long they take to complete. It depends to a large extent, on how fast you write music. Some students write 5 minutes of music a day while others write 5 minutes a week or less. If you work reasonably productively, i.e. 2-3 minutes a day, which is probably average in the professional working industry, you would complete the work in much less time.

A well organized person, working productively, might be able to complete the course in two or three days a week whereas another working slower, might take 5 days a week. Assume therefore that the full-time lies somewhere between 2 and 5 days a week depending on your work rate. Part time would be pro-rata so a three year schedule would be 1-2 days a week.

The Provisional Schedule

Both full-time and part-time students join the same course. Full time students will compete their taught modules by the end of the 9th month. The rest of the year is spent on their major project. Part time students will do their modules in roughly twice the time.

To encourage a sense of “togetherness”, most of the group activities are not locked into particular modules. Guest lecturers, webinars, workshops and solo live sessions will be scheduled regularly throughout the year and are free for all to attend. The individual module work is normally more focused on individual or small group tuition and so is more flexible in terms of timing.

Application

When you are sure you are ready to apply for the programme, go to the course page and click the “apply now” button. This will take you to our store where you can pay the non-returnable application fee of £50 / €70 / $90.

Once your payment has been processed, you will be able to login and complete the application pack.

We will need your personal details, details of your academic, musical and technical background. If you are offered a place, we will require copies of a number of documents including those confirming your academic history, identity and language ability where English is not your first language.

You will also be required to send us some music.

For full details on the application procedure, please visit our website below.

Visit the MA Sound Design for Video Games page on the ThinkSpace Education website for more details!

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As technology and market sophistication develops, designers in these areas are constantly making new connections in bringing forth their ideas. Digital technologies touch all areas of production and development of media. Traditional boundaries of what is a ‘game’ are constantly being questioned, disassembled and reformed.

Consumer acceptance and demand for novelty and innovation drives the product at a rapid and stimulating pace. The course offers a supportive environment to develop personal philosophies and skills within the student, in order that they bring a fresh and innovative approach to the industries they are involved in and develop new initiatives. Whilst the programme sits within a clearly defined study structure, the direction and flavour of the individual student’s journey through the programme is self-defined. This provides the opportunity for a focused, yet eclectic exploration within the contemporary design landscape. This strong emphasis on personal exploration provides the individual with the maximum flexibility in terms of a chosen area of study, underpinned by appropriate staff support and guidance. The course aims to develop the student’s personal philosophies on design with a view to developing a personal area of specialism.

Successful applicants to this course will find themselves part of a larger postgraduate community, which will reflect and include a wide variety of interests right across the Art and Design spectrum. This course is aimed at both professional practitioners wishing to pursue a sustained period of time developing new ideas or recent graduates wishing to focus their studies and refine ideas at an advanced level. The course will also consider students from a non-games background, providing they can offer clearly articulated and informed reasons for wishing to study at an advanced level. Furthermore, students should be able to demonstrate an ability to critically examine, analyse and evaluate contextual and philosophical issues relating to their intended programme of study.

The MA course exists within the framework of the University modular scheme. All students are assigned a supervisor who is a specialist in the student’s area of study. Modules have been chosen and scheduled to allow students to attain the stated aims and learning objectives set out for the course. With this philosophy in mind, the course team sought to develop a structure in which there is a balanced and appropriate integration of theory and activity and since the programme is fundamentally design driven we have sought to ensure continuity of activity. Central to the programme is the 'statement of intent' drawn up during the beginning of your studies - this forms the backbone of the postgraduate activity and provides a term of reference for assessable outcomes. Students are supported by staff input through a series of design activities during the initial modules that are designed to identify an area of interest that can then be fully explored. The formal presentation of this initial research activity and the conclusions drawn, form the basis of the ‘statement of intent’ document.

Modules:

Games Design Practice 1
Research for Creative Design Practice 1
Design Practice 2 (Placement/Field Study)
Research for Creative Design Practice 2/3
Games Design Practice 3
Postgraduate Project/Dissertation

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*Subject to validation

• APPLICATIONS OPEN. Contact course leader, Dan Mayers, on [email protected] if you have any questions.
• Gain industry specific experience by using real world workflow methodologies, deadlines and constraints.
• Work on projects with a range of industry partners including Ubisoft, Dreadnaught Studios, Miracle Tea Studios, Ipswich Games Hub.
• Unique partnership with Iron Crown Enterprises, publishers of the Rolemaster, Spacemaster, HARP and HARP-SF role play systems.
• Widen your career opportunities with links and project briefs from companies including Derivco, Coderus, Conga and Orbital Media.
• Open to graduates from a variety of backgrounds.

Introduction

The Msc Games Development course provides students with a higher-level understanding and direct professional experience through a multidisciplinary approach across commercial game projects. 

This course is ideal for graduates who have completed our BA (Hons) Computer Games Design or BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming undergraduates degree, as well as those who have graduated from other related technical and creative subject areas who are wanting to enter the video games industry.

We have collaborative partnerships in place with community organisations and employers including commercial and third sector organisations. 

Students will be exposed to work on commercial games, providing them with an understanding of business and enterprise as well as preparing students for working within a commercial studio setting. 

One of our modules allows students to link up with the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC), providing them with access to more facilities and covering a range of business-related topics in connection with games development.

Course modules

Development Management (mandatory)

This module provides students with industry standard management methodologies and tools used to run team game developments. 

Visual Scripting (mandatory)

In this module. students learn how to develop games using visual scripting tools at high and low levels, depending on their discipline and background.

Group Project 1 - Multiple Rapid Prototyping (mandatory)

For this group project, students concept and rapidly develop game ideas, learning how to work efficiently as a team.

Group Project 2 (mandatory)

In this module, students will work on a longer 12-week development project. 

Business Development (mandatory)

This moduled covers a range of core business skills relevant to both the independent and large scale development studios. This will be delivered by the Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre (IWIC) where students will have access to the Entrepreneurial Programme as well as unlimited access to the IWIC facilities. 

Final Project (mandatory)

The Final Project involves independent learning as an extended dissertation covering a detailed exploration of an element of the games industry. 

Research Methods (mandatory)

In this module, students will learn rigorous academic and commercial research skills.

Career opportunities

Work-based practice is embedded throughout the duration of the course. All modules will relate to work-based learning, relating to commercial management processes or understanding production within a working environment. This will enhance employability and give graduates a greater understanding of games development within the work place. 

Graudates can progress in to a range of careers including: Game Programmer, Games Designer, Games Artist, Quality Assurance, Serious Games Developer and Gamification Developer to name a few.

Facilities and Resources

The MSc Game Development course will have access to the Eclipse Suite where students can access the facilities on specific days for independent working and group projects.

Students can benefit from a dedicated lab, access to two other game development labs and a range of game development hardware including, Oculus Rift, Emotive EPOC+ Brain interface, Leap motion, Myo, Phidget components for building custom game controllers, a range of mobile phones and tablets to test your games on.

Students will also have access to a common room area for MSc students and a custom games cabinet in which to run student games.

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-The MA Games Art and Design degree allows you to develop your Games Art and Design skills and knowledge to a professional level
-You will produce a commercial-standard personal portfolio that reflects the forefront of current practices in approach, style and vision
-Explore the theoretical and contextual understanding of games art, its audiences and significances in our contemporary media culture
-Develop professional-level enquiry, research, creative invention, project planning and management practices
-On this masters degree you will learn in a multi-disciplinary environment through discussion and the exploration of ideas

Why choose this course?

This MA Games Art and Design degree meets the needs of the games industry. The games industry has developed dramatically from the days of the solo practitioner to become a global market where large teams of artists work in unison to create content for the next generation of interactive game technologies. The current games art and design practitioner is likely to become a specialist in one area, such as character modelling, environment creation, lighting, animating etc. This award fuses technical knowledge of real-time rendering with the aesthetic decisions and traditional skills you will need as a games artist.

On this postgraduate Games Art and Design degree, your study will include ways of thinking about the cultural resonance of your work and about the audiences it is made for, about the nature of creativity, and the role of the Cultural Industries in a modern knowledge economy. Through your study you will develop a range of project management skills, and an ability to identify and manage your own learning. You will consider the role of enterprise opportunities in commercial, professional and social environments. Enquiry, research and clear communication underpin work throughout the programme. As well as specialist modules in your chosen discipline area the programme includes modules that are shared with other postgraduate awards in the School of Creative Arts.

The structure of MA Games Art and Design promotes cross-discipline discussion and maintains the enthusiasm and focus of discipline specialists. It enables you to develop the key transferable skills of postgraduate study grounded in activities that have currency, relevance and application for your future career and for further academic study.

The MA Games Art and Design course, part of the postgraduate Media programme, offers you a coherent learning in one of several awards. It enables you to develop creative practical skills in a discipline of your choosing. That work may extend your existing skills, knowledge and understanding, or it may mean a change of direction, new learning, and new experiences. Induction, seminars and social events for students and staff mean that you will be part of a friendly and supportive postgraduate community, which includes film makers, musicians and professionals working in new media. Senior research staff and internationally renowned professionals work with postgraduate students, helping you to develop original and challenging work.

Careers

Particular emphasis is given to providing you with the skills necessary to further your career as an Games Artist. The course is designed to help you understand and work within the contemporary media environment.

You will also acquire enquiry and information handling skills, enterprise skills in the development and presentation of ideas, in communicating in the spoken and written word, and addressing particular audiences.

Teaching methods

On this programme teaching and learning emphasises enquiry led project work, developing the kind of independence and autonomy that is appropriate for postgraduate education. Lectures, seminars and other discussions bring students together in multi-disciplinary groups where ideas are shared, challenged, developed. Workshops and other activities develop specific discipline centered skills and understandings while tutorials develop individual study trajectories and responses to assignment tasks and briefs.

Much of the time students are engaged in self-managed independent study, undertaking enquiries and research, developing skills, inventing and developing ideas, realizing project outcomes, exploring the cultural resonance of their work.

All students on the PG Media programme engage in an interdisciplinary project as a part of their MA study, giving them an opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in an experimental and creative way.

Work Placement

There are work related learning opportunities on this course, all students complete a live external brief as part of their coursework.

Structure

Core Modules
-Creative Economies
-Major Study: Games Art and Design
-Media Discourses
-Practice 1: Media
-Practice 2: Media
-Research and Enquiry

Optional
-Creative Economies (Online)
-Research and Enquiry (Online)

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Course Duration

Full-time (Sep): 12 months

Course Summary

MSc Video Game Enterprise and Production is a year-long Masters-level course for the next generation of games industry entrepreneurs and producers. We give people who want to work in games an in-depth experience of the full game development process combined with all the hard-edged business skills they need to run a small games business or manage a studio production. Employers of our graduates include Rockstar North, Traveller’s Tales, Creative Assembly and Exient.

You'll get specialist skills training, mentoring and support from leading game developers, artists, producers and business owners, with experience at such big-name developers as Eurocom, Electronic Arts and Freestyle Games, while Programme Director Zuby Ahmed founded his own company, SmashMouth Games. The course is delivered in a series of ‘boot camps’ followed by one-to-one support, studio based game development and project delivery.

Employment Oppportunity

Successful students will be prepared for roles in production and design; more specifically as project managers, scrum masters and assistant producers within the games industry. They will also be able to work in product development, as product owners, as designers/scripters or in game and business analytics, and will also be confident and able to set up their own video games business.

Previous graduates now work in roles including mission scripter at Rockstar North, associate producer at Rockstar London, assistant producer at Exient and assistant producer at Traveller’s Tales.

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