Game Design
UCAS code I610
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
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.
Introduction
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.
What you'll learn
- The basics of programming
- Creative principles
- Understanding of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and communication technologies
- Advanced study of computer game and app development
- Techniques of critical thinking and analysis
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Principles of software design and software development
- Project management
- How to develop a professional portfolio
Welcome to Liverpool
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.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
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.
- You will choose four optional modules, one of which must be COMP101 or COMP105.
- Students wanting to take COMP108 must take COMP111.
Modules
| 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.
Year two
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.
- For MUSI208 and MUSI206, students should have normally taken MUSI109 in Y1 or should have equivalent experience as approved the instructors.
- Students who are intending to take the Year in Industry must take SOTA260 in year 2.
Modules
| 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.
Final year
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.
- Students must take at least one from: COMP228, COMP342.
- Students who have taken the Year in Industry may not take SOTA300.
Modules
| 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.
Year in Industry
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.
Notice
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.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
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.
How you're assessed
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.
Liverpool Hallmarks
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:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
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.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Year in industry
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
- Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
- Experience and understand workplace culture and discipline
- Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
- Begin your professional network
- Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.
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.
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Combine this subject
With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.
- Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
- Choose joint or major minor subjects
- Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
- Same number of credits as single honours students
- Same classes as single honours students
- Appeal to a wide range of employers
Your experience
As a Game Design student, you’ll benefit from our expertise in creative subjects such as Music, and have access to new and recently refurbished facilities. This includes dedicated spaces featuring gaming consoles (e.g. Playstation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch), high-spec gaming PCs, VR equipment 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.
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Why study Game Design at Liverpool?
This programme is the first of its kind in the Russell Group, offering you the opportunity to pursue a highly practical programme at an institution which is currently ranked amongst the world top 150 (QS World University Rankings 2026/Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026).
- We have made a significant investment in facilities for the study of game design and development, which include high-spec gaming PCs, games consoles, industry-standard software, music production facilities and VR equipment
- Liverpool and nearby Wirral are a home to a prolific gaming hub, with which we enjoy a developing relationship. Local studios include Skyhook, Lucid Games, Wushu, Avalanche Studios and Ripstone.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
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.
Work experience opportunities
- Internships with enterprise activities, including support to form your own development studios alongside your studies.
- Students who take the year in industry option will be able to spend their work experience year managing their chosen companies, with support from the University.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year - £9,790
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £1,385 (applies to year in China)
International fees
Full-time place, per year - £27,000
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £13,500 (applies to year in China)
The UK and international full-time fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27 (UK fees are subject to Parliamentary approval). UK year abroad and year in industry fees and international year in industry fees shown are for entry 2025, as 2026/27 fees have yet to be confirmed. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.
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.
Additional costs
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.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
Liverpool Excellence Scholarship for Undergraduates
If you’re a new international undergraduate student, and you've achieved AAA at A level or equivalent, you could be entitled to a generous tuition fee discount of £7,500, subject to the full eligibility criteria. This scholarship will be awarded to all eligible students.
Kaplan Digital Pathways Excellence Scholarship
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.
Sport Liverpool Performance Programme
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.
University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship
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.
University of Liverpool International College First Class Scholarship
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.
University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships
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.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 3 December 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions