Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Learn the key techniques and skills required to create a wide variety of games.
- Attain a deep understanding of game play.
- Create prototypes and game concept pitches for external clients and experts.
- Collaborate with students from other gaming disciplines to understand game production in a team context.
- Gain the visual communication and creative problem-solving skills industry employers are looking for.
On this course, you'll explore the artistry and industry of games design. You’ll complete real game development projects and develop your own creative approach, with access to cutting-edge facilities and resources supported by the likes of Sony Playstation. Upon graduation, you'll have the portfolio, experience and qualifications you need to land an exciting position.
View our students' work
Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
This course employs a creative, practice-based approach set within the context of group project activity. This emulates the collaborative nature of professional practice within the creative industries, and is underpinned by analysis, iteration of ideas and concepts, and reflection on creative processes.
As you progress through the course you will be able to choose your own focus and develop your understanding of specific roles within game development and game design.
You will design and create prototypes, organise playtesting sessions with potential audience members, work as a member in an agile game development team and produce and maintain a professional portfolio of own game design work.
You learn through:
- lectures and tutorials
- supervision sessions
- design workshops
- group projects
- self-directed study
- field trips
Course leaders and tutors
Tom Battey
Games Designer in ResidenceGame Designer in Residence Tom Battey is a narrative designer whose work spans prose, interactive fiction and games design
Applied learning
Live projects
The course includes a range of professional development and work-based learning opportunities, including producing game concept and prototype pitches for commercial and other external clients, guest lectures from industry professionals and networking events. You will get opportunities to develop your own future strategy as a game professional whether that be freelancing, working as an independent game developer or working in a specific sector in the game or interactive media industries.
Field trips
Industry visits, field trips, game jams, and live projects will be a key aspect of your preparation for employment, facilitate contextual knowledge and understanding and provide opportunities for networking and cementing relationships with industry and fellow aspiring game designers, artists, and programmers.
Networking opportunities
At every level of the course, through the networks of the course staff, you will have the opportunity to engage with specialist visiting lecturers from the industry to show your work. A wide range of professional development and networking opportunities are supported by the Media Arts and Communications Department, such as the yearly Pathways event. We always seek to support and enable any student who obtains a placement to be able to take such opportunities.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a:
- game designer
- game artist
- game producer
Previous graduates of previous courses like this have gone on to work for:
- Sumo Digital
- Rebelliion
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with:
- games engines such as Unity 3D and Unreal
- 3D modelling software
- emerging game technologies such as VR headsets
- Playstation development kits
Learn more about your department
Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour
Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 32 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 18 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a media-related programme, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre- sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score. As part of our selection process, we may request a portfolio or other evidence of your ability.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a selection event with a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Find out about the selection process and how to produce a strong portfolio.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 3D Modelling | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Game Design Theory | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Game World Mechanics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Level 4 Game Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Online Gaming Cultures | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Visual Concepts For Games 1 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Game Design Theory | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Experimental Game Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Narrative Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Physical Games | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Professional Development Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Sound Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Concept Art | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Virtual Reality Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Direction For Games | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Final Game Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Game Professional Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: User Interface Design For Games | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 3D Games Prototyping | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Life Drawing | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Visual Effects Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Digital media courses (PDF, 225.8KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
