BA (Hons) Games Design

• Game design fundamentals 
• Games culture and critical studies 
• Concepting and ideation 
• Prototyping and iteration 
• Player psychology and user experience 
• Design documentation (GDDs, design logs) 
• Character and environment design 
• Game engines, tools and scripting 
• Development cycles 
• Production methodologies (Scrum, Lean, Waterfall) 
• Working in teams

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Games Production and Design with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Introduction to the fundamental principles of games and animation
• Core elements of design and art: line, shape, colour, value, form, texture, and space
• Exploring digital software and applications Relevant to design and user interaction
• Presenting Research and Ideation with Clarity, Critical Thinking, and Reflection
• Overview of Digital Games and Animation Software, Including Current Innovations and Limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of games design, animation and illustration. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

In your first year, you will develop the key skills required for game design while engaging in critical discussions around the cultural and political contexts of games. 

Key study topics include:  

• Introduction to game studies and an exploration of games culture 
• Introduction to basic design skills 
• Introduction to software tools and pipelines 
• Applying design skills to level design 
• Exploring narrative design

Year 2 

In your second year, you will focus on developing your own worlds and narratives, building original stories and design identities. Alongside this, you will explore multi-platform game systems and mechanics, understanding how gameplay adapts across PC, console, mobile, and XR platforms. You will apply these skills through an extended collaborative studio project and an industry-led work-based learning module.

Key study topics include:

• Research-led concept development and design specialisation
• World building and narrative design for original game concepts
• Multi-platform gameplay systems and mechanics
• Prototyping and design development
• Collaborative studio practice and industry-led work-based learning
• Learn about the numerous design roles in the gaming industries

Year 3

In your third year, you will refine and specialise your skills, developing a distinctive creative practice within your chosen area. You will work independently, supported by specialist faculty and industry mentors, to produce a considered final project. Alongside this, you will strengthen your professional practice, preparing you to progress confidently into roles within the games and creative industries.

Year 1 

Build core foundational knowledge in game design, level layout, business strategy and professional practice through practical and experimental projects.

• Rave Beginnings in Games
• Game Design Fundamentals
• Markets, Customers & Sales Practice
• Level Design
• Working in Games
• Finance for Decision Making

Year 2

Deepen your expertise in game mechanics, systems architecture, quest design and studio project management through collaborative team workflows.

• Ops & Project Management
• Game Mechanics
• System Design
• Narrative and Quest
• Games Studio Culture
• Games Team Project

Year 3

Refine gaming user experiences and master playtesting, lead collaborative studio projects and build an industry-ready portfolio to launch your career.

• UX and Playtesting
• Games Studio Project
• Game Production Project

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Lectures, seminars, practical workshops, studio-based project work, demonstrations, collaborative activities, group discussions, individual and group tutorials, critiques, presentations, playtesting sessions, industry-informed briefs, external visits and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

BA (Hons) Games Production and Design with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

BA (Hons) Games Design

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours independent study learning

Approximately £200 per year for travel to optional industry visits, events and exhibitions, as well as occasional project consumables or presentation materials. Costs may vary depending on the activity and location. 

Students are strongly recommended to have access to a personal laptop suitable for game-development software. If purchasing a new laptop, an indicative one-off budget of approximately £800–£1,500 is recommended, ideally at the start of Year 1. Shared specialist computers and relevant software are available on campus.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Three A Levels at grade CCC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MMM
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 96 UCAS Tariff points

Interview and portfolio requirements

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below:

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

Interview and portfolio requirements

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.