UCAS code I610
Game Design BSc combines coding, creativity, and critical theory to deliver a distinctive new provision in interactive audiovisual media. This interdisciplinary programme is one of the first of its kind in the Russell Group, combining modules from Computer Science and the School of the Arts to deliver a holistic grounding in how games are made, why they’re made, and what they tell us about the world.
You will develop skills in coding and programming, games scholarship, and creative design through a combination of modules from Communication & Media, Computer Science, English, Music, and Philosophy. These individual disciplines are drawn together by a set of bespoke Game Design modules in which you will produce work that will form part of your professional portfolio.
Year in industry
This programme is available with an optional year in industry. If you choose to take this option, year three is spent on a paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts throughout your placement, and your reflexive written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. If you wish to study this programme with a year in industry, please put the option code YI in the ‘further choices’ section of your UCAS application form.
We want you to feel welcome from the moment you apply to study at Liverpool. We offer lots of support for our students who are moving from abroad. We can welcome you at Manchester Airport with our meet and greet service (for September starts) and we have a friendly International Advice and Guidance team who run events to welcome you on to campus and provide in person support and events all year round.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one will establish the foundations for your studies, introducing you to the basics of programming, creative principles, and the academic context for game design.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| CREATIVE PRINCIPLES IN GAME DESIGN (SOTA103) | 15 |
| INTRODUCTION TO GAME ENGINES (SOTA105) | 15 |
| GAME CONCEPTS AND VALUES (SOTA106) | 15 |
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING (COMP122) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of specialisms such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, and communication technologies. A selection of optional modules will allow you to explore some of the more artistic aspects of game design. Alongside compulsory modules – which include an independent project – you’ll choose five modules from a range of options.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOFTWARE ENGINEERING I (COMP201) | 15 |
| GAME DESIGN INDEPENDENT PROJECT (SOTA204) | 15 |
| PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER GAMES DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION (COMP222) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
During your final year of study, you’ll undergo advanced study of computer game and app development, consider the philosophical issues associated with play and virtual worlds, and critically evaluate academic studies in games. Alongside compulsory modules, you’ll undertake a major collaborative project that will see you apply your creative, critical, and technical skills.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| GAME DESIGN COLLABORATIVE PROJECT A (SOTA304) | 30 |
| GAME DESIGN COLLABORATIVE PROJECT B (SOTA305) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
This programme can also be studied over four years, with the third year spent on a relevant, salaried work placement within an organisation. You will be supported by the School of the Arts throughout your placement, and your reflective written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result.
If you wish to study this programme with a year in industry please put the option code YI in the ‘further choices’ section of your UCAS application form.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Contact time generally consists of lectures, in which students are presented with core content, and seminars/labs/workshops, in which students discuss lecture topics, readings and work in groups to complete exercises. The practical modules from within the School of the Arts follow a more interactive model of seminar/workshop. These modules stress short practical lessons and exercises in seminars while allowing students to have supervised time to work independently in workshops.
Assessments include a variety of written components (essays, case studies, creative responses, adaptation exercises, etc.) Inspired by the principles of the TESTA (Transforming the Experience of Students Through Assessment) programme, assessments also include both formative and summative coursework. Modules are largely designed to emphasise practical development by means of interactive workshops, small-group work, and individual tutorial sessions with instructors.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | 26 points overall with no score less than 4, or Pass the IB Diploma plus 5,4,4 in 3 HL subjects. Plus a minimum of 5 in SL Maths or 4 in HL Maths and 5 in SL/HL English A or 7 in SL English B or 6 in HL English B |
| HKDSE | 433 from 2 electives plus one core subject (excluding Citizenship and Social Development) and a minimum grade 3 in core Mathematics. Grade 4 (with no component less than 4) in HKDSE English Language |
| India Standard XII | Overall average of 60% from four core subjects, a minimum of 75% in English dependent on exam board (not including Hindi, Regional Language, Environmental Education and PE) and a minimum of 50% for Standard X Maths. |
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
Learn more about year in industry
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
As a Game Design student, you’ll benefit from our expertise in each of the five disciplines, and have access to new and recently refurbished facilities. This includes dedicated spaces for students to research video games, featuring gaming consoles (e.g. Playstation 4 with PSVR, Playstation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii), gaming PCs, and a diverse library of titles.
You’ll also have access to Windows and Mac labs. These suites have a range of different software for content creation, including Unity and Unreal (game engines), FMOD (middleware for game sound and music), and Blender (modelling and animation).
For sound production, the Electronic Music Research Studios provide fully sound-proofed and treated studio spaces for surround sound mixing, electronic music composition and sound design research.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Digital games represent one of the fastest-growing forms of entertainment media. This programme aims to equip you with the technical, creative, and critical skills that will help you find employment in this dynamic and rapidly growing field, whilst assembling a professional portfolio of work.
You’ll have opportunities throughout the programme to develop a professional portfolio, as well as various options to gain workplace experience.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £12,050 (applies to year in China)
The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.
Your tuition fee covers almost everything, but you may have additional study costs to consider such as books, stationery and equipment.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a high-achieving international student starting an undergraduate degree with us from September 2024, you could be eligible to receive a fee discount of up to £5,000. You’ll need to achieve grades equivalent to AAA in A levels. Most of our undergraduate degrees are eligible, with the exception of clinical programmes in Medicine and Dental Surgery.
Completed a Kaplan Digital Pathways Foundation Certificate? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study for a maximum of two high achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from an online Kaplan Foundation Certificate.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
Completed a Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of undergraduate study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical degrees from UoLIC.
We’re offering a £1,000 fee discount for years 2 and 3 of undergraduate study to eligible students progressing from University of Liverpool International College. You’ll need to be studying a non-clinical subject and get an average of 70% or above in year 1 of your degree.
If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a £3,000 fee discount off the first year of your undergraduate degree.
Last updated 17 June 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions