Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Games Design
Design, build, and bring gaming experiences to life. Play your part in the future of games, animation, and interactive digital media on our games design degree.
Course overview
-
GW42 -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
21 Sep 2026
Turn your passion for games into the skills, confidence, and experience needed to thrive in the dynamic international games and creative industries. This hands-on BSc Games Design degree blends creativity with technical expertise, preparing you to design, develop, and deliver immersive gaming experiences, from concept to completion.
From RPG and horror to action, strategy, sports, and classic 8-bit - whatever your interests, you'll study some of the most influential games ever made. You'll discover how games are imagined, built, and refined, while developing a strong understanding of the tools, technologies, and workflows used by professional studios.
As part of this course, you'll:
- Design and produce original games driven by your own creative vision
- Study modules across three core areas: programming and software engineering; art, concept, and asset production; and games design theory and practice
- Take ideas from initial concept through design, visualisation, and technical implementation
- Build practical experience by testing, refining, and improving your work through feedback and collaborative projects
- Develop transferable creative and technical skills used across games, animation, digital and interactive media, and the wider creative sector
You'll be based at our City Campus in Leeds, studying in vibrant creative environments and developing a professional portfolio that reflects industry expectations and your individual strengths.
Enter the creative arena
From day one, you'll explore how the games and creative industries operate globally. Through a blend of guest lectures, workshops, and networking events with industry experts. Previous contributors include Disney animator Aaron Blaise, Team17 Digital, and Ubisoft Toronto's Ben Dare.
You'll discover the career opportunities that await you and discover where your own talents fit in the creative world. An optional placement year enables you to gain valuable industry experience, as well as the professional skills and confidence to stand out in the job market.
Bring your ideas to life in professional studios
You'll work in dedicated creative studios equipped with high-spec equipment for 3D modelling, animation, interactive design, and game development. These spaces mirror real studio environments.
Showcase your achievements
In your final year, you'll present your work at our end-of-year degree show - a chance to impress top employers and highlight your unique creative vision. Students regularly secure interviews and job offers through these showcases. Follow us on X to take a look at projects produced by our BSc Games Design students.
Opportunities of tomorrow
Leeds Beckett University is an Unreal Engine Academic Partner, preparing the next generation of game creators and interactive 3D specialists. You'll get access to enterprise-level software, premium learning resources, Marketplace credits for projects, and exclusive professional development opportunities.
This means you'll be creating and experimenting with the same tools and technologies used by studios across the global games industry, giving your skills a real-world edge before you graduate.
Why study the BSc Games Design course at Leeds Beckett University?
- Proven employability - 100% of BSc (Hons) Games Design graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation*
- Create in professional-standard facilities - 90% of students on BSc (Hons) Games Design were positive about the availability of specialist facilities**
- Gain valuable industry experience and a varied skill set through optional placements and industry brief projects
- Showcase your work and get noticed by leading employers at our end-of-year degree show, where past students have secured job offers
- Join a powerhouse creative community - learn alongside peers who share your passion for games in one of the largest university arts communities in the north
*Percentage of respondents from this course, HESA Graduate Outcomes 22-23
**National Student Survey 2025
Explore videos and blogs
Student Work | Creative Technologies Explore student work from our Creative Technologies subject area. Curious about what you could create at Leeds School of Arts? Join us at one of our Leeds Beckett University Open Days to find out more.
BSc (Hons) Games Design - Showreel Take a look at some of the outstanding recent work from BSc (Hons) Games Design students.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you’re unsure how to work out your UCAS points we have a UCAS Tariff Calculator which will do it for you. All you need to do is enter your qualifications and let the UCAS Tariff Calculator do the maths.
We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade 4 or above (Grade C for GCSEs taken before 2017) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.T Levels
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, including a C or above on the core.Scottish Awards
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade B or above.Irish Leaving Certificate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 5 subjects at higher level of which at least 3 must be grade H3 or above.International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
How we assess your application
At Leeds Beckett we look for students who demonstrate a good knowledge, curiosity and passion for your chosen course and would benefit from the University’s learning environment.
We aim to give every student a fair chance to progress and succeed on their chosen course and we recognise that your grades may not always reflect your true potential. Therefore, when assessing your application, we will consider the following:
- Your completed qualifications (such as GCSEs, A Levels, and their equivalents).
- Your predicted grades in future examinations.
- Your personal statement.
Our offers
All our offers are made by trained professionals who are committed to making offers that are appropriate to each applicant, regardless of their background.* They have the discretion to vary the level of offer to ensure every student with the potential to succeed at Leeds Beckett receives an offer that is achievable for them. This could mean that you may receive an offer to study on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff.  Your offer will be based on our belief that you are capable of benefiting from, and successfully completing, your course. We believe that it is people who think differently, independently, people with ‘unlike-minds' that make big things happen.
*We operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we consider a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria may be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff.
Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website).
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part-time applicants).
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts.
- Declared as a care experienced on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part-time applicants).
Our place as an Anchor Institution
To further strengthen our position as a key provider of education and training for West Yorkshire we apply an Anchor Institution Policy in our admissions process. Students who apply to us from any of the five Local Authority areas in West Yorkshire (BD, HD, HX, LS, WF) may be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points.  
Our commitment to your creativity
We ask all successful applicants to attend an on campus session with Leeds School of Arts. Why? Because we want to invest in YOU! This is an opportunity to use our fantastic facilities, meet the academic staff who will teach you, and meet students you will study with. You will also take part in taster sessions, specific to your area of study, all of which will help strengthen your professional skills.
Mature Applicants
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our 'Recognition of Prior Learning' policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable. All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade 4 in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.We have welcomed students from over 140 countries to study at Leeds Beckett University. If you are interested in studying with us you can find all the information you need about entry requirements and how to apply on our country specific pages.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
International baccalaureate
112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 3 Highers of which at least 2 must be grade H5 or above.IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
There are no traditional exams on this course.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
What you'll learn
Study the key principles and techniques used to create engaging stories and game products. This module will help you to begin building your skills in the 'rules' of game design to be able to create functional games. You'll learn how to produce interesting stories through interactive design and an emotion centric approach. You'll draw from your own unique past experiences and interests and use these as inspiration during the game design process.
Study the key programming concepts associated with designing and developing for games. This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of programming and software systems development. You'll understand the importance of prototyping systems, evaluation and testing in relation to the development lifecycle of system application. Additionally, you'll apply an integrated approach to software development in a middleware game engine.
Build on the skills developed during Game Development 1 as you discover intermediate programming concepts and asset / media pipelining required in integrated game product development. You'll learn programming methodologies and develop techniques to produce a game product or artefact to a set brief.
What you'll learn
This module will introduce the key principles and tools for creating character, environment animation and VFX, post-processing, within games. You'll focus on several content creation workflows and produce animations / VFX that are applicable within real time, interactive game environments.
Work as part of a team to design, develop a game or prototype experience. You'll adopt professional working practices at an individual and team level and develop your research, design, evaluation and presentation skills. You'll emulate what it would be like to work as part of a game design team, following the entire pipeline of the game design production cycle, from inception to finished product.
This module will provide a conceptual and critical overview of the social, cultural and technological impact of games. You'll analyse the various aspects of 'game' & 'play' embedded within game cultures and associated technologies and media. In addition, you'll evaluate key developments in the design of games and their role within popular culture.
What you'll learn
This module will provide the opportunity to develop a product as a design team, ideally for an external client. You'll research, generate ideas, design, create, implement and evaluate your product, reflecting on your own performance throughout the process. You'll follow the given game design development process and develop mechanics based on player and tutor feedback.
Evaluate your own work, and the work of the broader creative community. This module will enable you to undertake rigorous research around an area of the games art and design industry. Your research should be driven by an area of industry that interests you and your career aspirations. You'll critically reflect upon your own practice, that of your peers and the creative practice as a whole.
Investigate the challenges faced by the games industry and that around it. You'll study the development of new and exciting products in a world where markets, delivery methods, technology and design solutions are constantly evolving.
Option modules may include
Learn about the characteristics of game mechanics that promote learning, engagement and retention through positive design, as well as aspects of behavioural game design. You'll work to a client brief to produce the concept and prototype 'electronic proof of concept' for a commercial applied innovative game project.
This module will introduce you to developing for specialist gaming platforms and image visualisation technologies. You'll learn and apply programming methodologies associated with advanced feature development within middleware game engines, visualisation and integrated/embedded systems.
Study the key principles and tools for creating high quality 3D assets, character and environments suitable for applications such as marketing, portfolios, game engines and visualisations. You'll focus on different modelling, shading, rendering, and lighting techniques to create realistic 3D visuals for a professional portfolio of digital images.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘placement’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree and will extend the length of your course by an additional year.
Students who choose the placement route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
Fees and funding
£9,790
UK
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee, which is yet to be confirmed.
£16,840
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2526.Fees and funding
£9,790
For students entering in 2026
The annual tuition fee for students entering in the 2026/27 academic year is anticipated to be £9790 (the maximum annual tuition fee cap announced by the UK Government, which is subject to parliamentary approval).
For each subsequent year of study, the University may charge up to the maximum annual tuition fee cap set by the UK Government, which may increase in line with any uplift determined by the UK Government by law or government policy (such increases are expected to be linked to inflation).
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee, which is yet to be confirmed.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- Educational visits. Cost will vary depending on location and could include travel, accommodation and sustenance.
- External SSD Drive (1Tb recommended).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
£16,840
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £16840.
Placement Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £2526.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Optional Costs
- Educational visits. Cost will vary depending on location and could include travel, accommodation and sustenance.
- External SSD Drive (1Tb recommended).
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that an education at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us for undergraduate study, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship or bursary to help with the cost of university. To find out if you are be eligible visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
We also offer a range of non-repayable scholarships for international students. To find out if you may be eligible visit our scholarships for international students page and select your home country from the drop-down list.
90%
of BSc (Hons) Games Design students were positive about the availability of specialist facilities
Leeds School of Arts ‘When I feel like I’m sinking’ is a poem to mark the opening of the Leeds School of Arts building at Leeds Beckett University. Recited by the poet and Leeds Beckett graduate, Zodwa Nyoni, this short film showcases the creative work produced by our Performing Arts, Music and Sound, Filmmaking, and Creative Technologies students and graduates.
Career prospects
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
You'll graduate with a creative and technical skillset that opens doors across games, animation, digital and interactive media, and the wider creative industries. Your experience in design thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and production pipelines ensures you're prepared for a variety of exciting roles, such as:
- Games programmer
- Games designer
- Digital, concept, or environment artist
- VR/AR developer
- QA tester
- 3D animator
- VFX artist
- UI/UX designer
- Digital content creator
Our graduates have gone on to work with leading games studios, including Rockstar Leeds, Sumo Digital, Team17, and international digital agencies like Dubit.
You'll also be well placed to pursue postgraduate study, freelance opportunities, or develop your own creative projects, giving you the flexibility to shape your career around your passions.
100%
of BSc (Hons) Games Design graduates in work or further study 15 months after graduation*
Learning to design and develop video games offers exciting career opportunities in the entertainment and technology sectors and contributes to the UK's expanding digital economy workforce. Games development teaches key digital literacy, problem solving and production skills such as programming, analytical thinking, digital art and team working. Social and economic empowerment through the creative use of technologies lies at the centre of what inspires the course and my teaching.
Che John
Course Director
I have been working as a game developer for 10 years and am proud to now be working at Ubisoft Toronto. Leeds Beckett was a fun university to study at and, more importantly, supported me in building the portfolio and prerequisite skills needed to secure my first Level Design job immediately after graduating. I have worked on the Grid, Dirt and F1 franchises as well as Star Citizen. My career has allowed to be see many parts of the world... I have worked in England, Germany & Canada and have been on work trips & training to Kenya, Portugal and the USA. Working in the games industry is an incredibly fun & rewarding career, I'm glad I chose Leeds Beckett as my university.
Ben Dare
BA (Hons) Games Design
Our Graduate Promise
We have a dedicated team of people who will support you with all aspects of your career planning, from day one until 18 months after you graduate.
Getting you career ready is an integral part of your university life and this is embedded throughout your lectures and seminars. Outside of your course there is a wide range of support available to help you achieve your career goals, including:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Interview skills and assessment centres
- Connecting with employers and organisations
We’re ranked in the Top 10 universities in the UK for job prospects
(Student Crowd, 2025 - the only awards based entirely on student reviews).
Find out why...
Student life
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Explore Leeds Beckett
Step inside our immersive 360° virtual tour and discover cutting-edge facilities, dynamic learning spaces, and everything our campus has to offer.
BA (Hons) Games Design | Student view Student Sofia talks about her experience of studying at Leeds Beckett University.
Why Leeds?
With great music venues, culture, shopping and parks – we’ve got it all. Voted no.1 student city in the UK* and the Best Place to Live in the North and Northeast**.
*StudentCrowd, Best Student Cities UK, 2024
**The Sunday Times Best Place to Live guide, 2024.
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