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International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Portfolio

Admission to this course involves reviewing your portfolio. After you apply, we will ask you to share a link to an online portfolio of your work. This enables us to see your potential and understand your approach and motivations.

We will ask you to log on to to share your portfolio link. We will not be able to progress your application to ¹ú²ú̽»¨ until you share your portfolio.

• Find out about the specific requirements for your course.

Creating your portfolio

We’ve put together advice and guidance to help you create and share your portfolio and we run regular online portfolio advice sessions where you can get help from our expert team.

Top reasons to study games art and design at ¹ú²ú̽»¨

• Thriving games industry with strong career prospects – the UK video games sector alone contributes £6 billion to the economy annually and supports over 73,000 jobs (UKIE, 2025).
• Collaborative, industry-style learning – work alongside peers from different specialisms in an environment that reflects the organisation and workflows of a real games studio.
• Optional placement or research year option – gain valuable industry or academic experience, with international students able to study in the UK for two years instead of one.
• Integrated theory and practice – the course combines critical theory with professional practice, ensuring that you graduate with expertise in both  fields.
• Study in a leading games and design hub – ¹ú²ú̽»¨ is at the heart of the UK’s games sector, giving you access to industry connections and work opportunities while you study.
• Taught by industry experts – learn from experienced games professionals who bring real-world insight and industry-standard practices to your studies.
• Practice-led learning – you’ll produce an industry-ready personal portfolio aligned with your chosen area of expertise.
• Follow your own creative path – choose your own focus and develop a project that reflects your strengths, specialism and creative ambitions.
• Strong industry connections – benefit from ¹ú²ú̽»¨’s established links with the games sector through guest lectures, workshops and live professional input, giving you real-world experience and networking opportunities.

Course structure

The Games Art and Design MA is structured around a substantial major project that runs across two stages. 

This extended project gives you the opportunity to define and develop your own specialist area within games art and design and build a body of work that reflects your creative direction.  

You’ll begin with a diagnostic and exploratory phase, testing ideas and experimenting with different creative approaches before deciding upon your specialist direction for your final project.  

The project is predominantly practical and studio-based, supported by individual tutorials, seminars and lectures.

Alongside this, you will study several theoretical modules which will strengthen the critical, contextual and professional depth of your practice. 

Modules

• Games Development and Design
• Industry Specialism
• Commercial Studio Project
• Creative Research and Development
• Production Project
• Creative Ventures

Our priority is to make sure what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through .

Placement or research year

Placement

The placement option offers a year of work experience to enhance your career opportunities, enriching your creative voice and sharpening your specialist skills. You’ll be assessed with feedback throughout the year to give you the chance to reflect on your experience and help prepare you for your future career.

Research

You will undertake in-depth independent research in a subject that resonates with your creative interest and that is aligned with the expertise of the course team. Distinct from taught modules and your final project, this is an opportunity to critically analyse complex concepts theories and evidence, and to gain advanced research skills to prepare you for further study or research-led professional roles.

How you’ll learn

This course combines practice-led studio work with integrated theory modules that support your creative development. 

You’ll learn through:

• Seminars – group discussions where you share work-in-progress, test ideas and engage in critical debate with peers and staff.
• Lectures and visiting speakers – a programme of talks from industry professionals and academics who discuss contemporary design practice, professional contexts and current issues in games and interactive media.
• Theme days and cross-course events – collaborative project days designed to challenge your thinking, encourage experimentation and connect you with fellow creatives across our visual communication courses.
• Individual tutorials – you’ll be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who supports the academic and professional development of your project. You’ll typically have three tutorials per term, creating space for in-depth critical dialogue and individual guidance.
• Independent study – postgraduate study requires initiative and self-direction. You’ll dedicate substantial time to developing your project in your own workspace and across the university’s specialist studios and facilities.
• Peer collaboration and review – through project reviews and informal collaboration, you’ll develop the ability to give and receive professional feedback which is an essential skill in games production environments.

Specialist facilities

At ¹ú²ú̽»¨, you’ll have access to a wide range of facilities to support both digital and analogue creative work. 

Our computer suites and rendering facilities provide industry-standard software and tools, helping you develop and refine your work to meet professional standards. 

For analogue practice, studios, printing facilities and workshop materials support 2D production, including animation and model-making, giving you the freedom to experiment across techniques and media. 

A university-wide tech hub offers access to 3D printing, scanners and creative software.

The ¹ú²ú̽»¨ Design Archives

Course leader

Dr Darius Malek

Darius Malek is course leader for the Games Art and Design MA. He combines a strong research, art and design background with technical implementation expertise, helping students develop the creative and practical skills needed for contemporary game development.

His teaching emphasises game design, systems thinking, prototyping, engine-based production and integrating mechanics, tools and workflows into playable experiences. He also develops industry-standard prototypes that students can utilise, adapt and build on within their own work.

Informed by practice-based research and professional practice, Darius supports students in moving from concept to implementation with a focus on iteration, problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration. He helps students develop a clear understanding of the full game development pipeline, preparing them for work across creative and technical roles in the games industry, as well as progression to postgraduate study.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2026–27.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or the Consumer Price Index (RPI), whichever is higher.

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at ¹ú²ú̽»¨