BSc (Hons) — 2025 entry Games Design
Video games are enjoyed by huge swathes of the global population. But the technology and artistry behind them is more than just a plaything. If you crave a critical, cultural, technical and arts education that encompasses and goes beyond this exciting sector, this course is the right one for you.
Why choose
this course?
- Our Games Design BSc is flexible so you can tailor your degree to your own passions, from animation, coding, visual arts, game design, technology, motion capture, acting, soundscapes, writing for games to textual analysis and games studies.
- This is a brand new and exciting course for September 2025. You'll develop the skills to help you make your mark in what has been a rapidly evolving series of global industries that increasingly cross over to almost every area of the creative sector including the games industries.
- You’ll benefit from specialist and multidisciplinary expertise from across the University. Here at Surrey, we have dedicated teaching staff in the areas of animation, coding, visual arts, technology, motion capture, acting, soundscapes, games design, textual analysis, machine-learning and creative writing.
- Studying at the University of Surrey you’ll be in the heart of one of the UK’s largest video games clusters right here in Guildford.
- Benefit from our industry connections and guest lectures with games developers from across the UK and overseas.
- You’ll have the option to take one of our award-winning Professional Training placements that will prepare you for roles in a broad range of games-facing industries as well as the games industries themselves.
Statistics
1st in the UK
The National Student Survey 2023 results put us at the top of the league table for overall satisfaction* for cinematics and photography.
4th in the UK
University of Surrey is ranked 4th for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2023
12th in the UK
Surrey is ranked 12th in the Complete University Guide 2025
*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide League Tables.
What you will study
Our Games Design BSc at Surrey has been built with your employability in mind. Our specialist and multidisciplinary approach incorporates coding, game design, animation, producing, creative writing and/or sound design. All of this maximises students’ options for employability, skills and career routes after graduation.
We have carefully designed our Games Design BSc to respond to and leverage the latest advances in:
- Games engines and Realtime Rendering Technologies
- Games design
- Game art
- CGI content creation
- Character animation
- 2D/3D environment design
- 3D modelling and animation
- Realtime VFX
- Visualisation and animation
- Real-time virtual environments
- Performance
- Contemporary game and play-focused narrative
- Screenwriting and broader creative writing specialisms
- Machine-learning and generative-AI techniques
- Level design
- Gameplay programming
- Visual scripting
- Music and sound for games.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course is available in the relevant programme specification.
Teaching and learning
This course is taught by academic staff from the School of Literature and Languages, Department of Music and Media, the Guildford School of Acting alongside specialist teaching provision from the School of Sociology, the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the School of Politics and others across the University.
In addition, you’ll be taught by experts based in our pan-University Institute of People-Centred Artificial Intelligence and our uniquely cross-disciplinary Institute for Sustainability.
Our collaborative approach enables flexible engagement and teamwork across the boundaries of specialisms, allowing you to tailor your final year to your preferred area of interest.
- Seminars
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Group work
- Project work
- Tutorials
- Rehearsals and performances
- Independent study
- Research work
- Trips
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of coursework and/or examination, practical examinations, reports and project work.
Practical modules will help develop hands on skills and the ability to work in a team; essential for after graduation.
General course information
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week. In later semesters, two weeks before the start of semester.
Scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday), with part-time classes normally scheduled on one or two days. Wednesday afternoons tend to be for sports and cultural activities.
View our code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF) for more information.
Location
Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
The games industry is part of the wider creative media sector and we have seen employment in the creative industries grow at five-times the rate of the rest of the UK economy since 2011.
Games that people play need to be built, updated and maintained by games experts and as a result games-related skills are in high demand all over the world.
This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and expertise which will open up opportunities not only within the games industry itself but also in an exciting set of existing and emerging areas. For example: virtual production, Realtime Animation and VFX, Gen-AI content creation and more. The core competencies you can develop in areas such as animation, 3D environment creation, digital content creation, producing, writing and directing, continue to be very much in demand across a range of media sectors.
The digital creative-related roles/jobs this course will prepare you for include:
- Computer games developer/programmer
- Computer games tester/analyst
- Game artist
- Games designer
- Game writer
- Game sound designer software developer
- Animator
- UX/UI designer.
You’ll have access to dedicated tech spaces, including a specialist computer lab, photogrammetry studio and our performance capture and virtual production space.
In addition, the programme will explore the latest developments in programming languages and specialist software, incorporating new resources as these arise. Current examples might include Unreal, C#, Javascript, Python, C++, Blender, Maya, Reallusion, Photoshop, Unity, ZBrush and Illustrator.
South-east regional hub
Here in Guildford, we're at the heart of one of the largest games, film and animation hubs in the region, and you’ll have access to leading players in the industry through festivals, expos and field trips. The local games sector celebrates the annual Guildford Games Festival, and nearby in London we have numerous other film, animation, games and theatre festivals and conventions. We are also in striking distance of most of the major film studios and postproduction facilities serving the global media industries.
Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN)
We are part of the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project which was launched at the Guildford Games Festival in February 2024. This research partnership connects university researchers with games companies to collaborate on innovation challenges in games and the games industries.
Through GAIN, we have further developed our existing, and excellent new industry connections, including key associations, such as UKIE (the trade body for Games industry in the UK), Grads in Games, Women in Games.
Learn more about the qualifications we typically accept to study this course at Surrey.
- BBB
- Required subject: Art and Design, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, English Language, English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, Music or Performing Arts.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at Grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at Grade 4 (C).
- DDM
- Required Subject: Art and Design, Creative Media Practice, Creative Digital Media Production, Music Technology, Music Production, Performing Arts Practice or Production Arts Practice.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
- 75% including relevant subjects
GCSE or equivalent: Maths 6 and either English Language (1/2) 6 or English Language (3)7.
- 32
- Required Subjects: HL5/SL6 in English Literature A, English Language and Literature A, Computer Science, Design Technology, Digital Society, Dance, Film, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts.
GCSE or equivalent: English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6 and Maths (either course) HL4/SL4.
- QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 27 at Distinction and 18 credits at Merit.
Please contact the Admissions team to discuss suitability.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
- ABBBB including relevant subjects
GCSE or equivalent: English Language Scottish National 5 at grade C and Maths Scottish National 5 at grade C.
- BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and 2 A-levels
- Required Subject: A-Level in Art and Design, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, English Language, English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, Music or Performing Arts.
Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics – Numeracy as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate. Please check the A-level dropdown for the required GCSE levels.
- Merit
- Required Subject: Design and Development.
GCSE or equivalent: English Language at grade 4 (C) and Mathematics at grade 4 (C).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic with 6.5 overall, including 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other component.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
International Foundation Year
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements for this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades. If you are not studying a relevant qualification, you will be asked to provide a portfolio of relevant work to support your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Contextual offers
Did you know eligible students receive support through their application to Surrey, which could include a grade reduction on offer?
Fees
Explore UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all undergraduate courses.
Payment schedule
- Students with Tuition Fee Loan: the Student Loans Company pay fees in line with their schedule.
- Students without a Tuition Fee Loan: pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be on invoices. Students on part-time programmes where fees are paid on a modular basis, cannot pay fees by instalment.
- Sponsored students: must provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of study.
Professional training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
Our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme gives you the chance to spend a year in industry, either in the UK or abroad.
We have thousands of placement providers to choose from, most of which offer pay. So, become one of our many students who have had their lives and career choices transformed.
Game design placements
You’ll get the experience to put the skills you’ve learnt on the course into practice and create your own games and immersive experiences.
With our extensive games industry contacts in Guildford, we plan to develop relevant Professional Training opportunities for our students.
Recent placement employers/organisations for students from the Department of Music and Media include:
- Arial Camera Systems
- Aurora Media
- Bold Content
- China Film Group
- CTV
- Discovery Channel
- Disney
- Dolby
- Endemol Shine
- Kinley
- MG
- One dash 22, Singapore
- Racetech
- Squash TV
- Techex
- The Farm
- The Look
- Video Europe.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University. But we offer support and guidance throughout the process, with access to a vacancy site of placement opportunities.
Find out more about the application process.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Discover, develop and dive in
Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surrey opens a world of opportunity. Take advantage of our study and work abroad partnerships, explore the world, and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
The opportunities abroad vary depending on the course, but options include study exchanges, work/research placements, summer programmes, and recent graduate internships. Financial support is available through various grants and bursaries, as well as Student Finance.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With 140+ opportunities in 36+ different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
Partner institutions
You could have the chance to study at one of our partner universities:
- La Trobe University, Australia
- Monash University, Australia
- North Carolina State University, US
- University of Central Florida, US
- University of Cincinnati, US
- University of North Carolina, US.
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:
- First when we make an offer.
- Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).
View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.
It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Subject to validation
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.