Study Game Design, why & how to study

If you’re thinking of turning your love of games into a career, read our guide on what to expect when doing a game design degree.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Tamsin Mosse 28 Oct 2025

What’s Game Design?
What Game Design degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto a Game Design degree?
What topics does a Game Design degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Game Design?
Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Game Design degree?
What do Game Design graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as a Game Design graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Game Design
Have any questions?

What’s Game Design?

Game Design explores the process of creating and designing interactive digital games. A degree in this subject focuses on both the creative and technical skills e.g., programming, visual design, sound design, and user interface design.

The history and theory of games is also considered to help produce an engaging and enjoyable experience for your target audience.

What Game Design degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Game Design degrees on offer in the UK include:

Options may include an integrated foundation year, professional placement year or year abroad.

What do you need to get onto a Game Design degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a Game Design degree at a university generally range from 80–160 UCAS points. This could include:  

A Levels: A*A*A - CCD
BTECs: DDM - DM
Scottish Highers: AAAAA – CCCC (Advanced Highers: AAB)
International Baccalaureate: 44 - 34
Universities will usually ask that you have studied: science, maths or computer science at A Level (or equivalent)

Good to have

Volunteering or work experience with a game design related company
Knowledge of CAD and computer software programmes
Own research into game design through books, TED talks, podcasts, or insights from the websites of professional bodies e.g., British Computer Society (BCS)
Join a relevant professional organisation such as the British Games Institute (BGI) or The Independent Game Developers' Association (TIGA)

What topics does a Game Design degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

Game design fundamentals
Game development principles
Game Programming
2D/3D Game art and animation
Game audio and sound design
Game narrative and writing
Game production and project management
Game marketing and business
Game engines and tools
Game AI and machine learning
Game user experience (UX) design
Virtual and augmented reality
Professional practice and industry engagement
Game industry analysis and trends

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

Coursework 
Placement assessments  
Exams 
In-class tests 
Group work 
Development workshop observations
Oral presentations   
Project or portfolio work 
A dissertation is usually a final year option

Why study Game Design?

Career-specific skills:

Technical knowledge of game development including programming language, software tools and game engines used in the development process
Game design theory and development such as game mechanics and character creation

Transferable skills:

Creativity and imagination
Collaboration
Communication
Teamwork
Project management
Problem solving
Marketing
Budgeting

Professional accreditations:

Degrees may be accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS)

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Game Design degree?

Some universities offer Game Design students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

What do Game Design graduates earn?

Entry-level salaries vary enormously, starting from £18,000 to £25,000. With a few years' experience under your belt, you might earn up to £45,000 depending on location and the employer you work for. A senior game designer may have a salary of up to £65,000.

Read more on what graduates do and earn.