Wolverhampton School of Art

BA (Hons) Game Design with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

Explore your passion for games and creative technology in a course that blends artistic flair with technical skill, supported by cutting-edge facilities and industry-guided teaching. 

Explore your passion for games and creative technology in a course that blends artistic flair with technical skill, supported by cutting-edge facilities and industry-guided teaching. 

Award
BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
15 September 2025
UCAS Code
I621
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

If you're imaginative, tech-curious, and passionate about games, the BA (Hons) Game Design course at the University of Wolverhampton offers a future-focused path into one of the world’s fastest-growing creative industries. 

We were among the first in the UK to deliver a dedicated Game Design degree - and we continue to evolve, matching the pace of change in game technology, XR, AI, and digital art. This course is a blend of artistic expression, game theory, and hands-on production, guided by academics with both teaching and industry experience. 

You’ll have access to industry-standard studios and professional hardware, including full-body motion capture, immersive XR technology, pen and touch-screen workstations, and camera tracking equipment. The same tools used in major game studios are available to you from day one, ensuring you build confidence and fluency with every stage of the production process. You will also have free access to professional game creation software, maximising the opportunity for you to bring your creative vision to life. 

Graduates from our course have gone on to become game designers, technical artists, studio founders and more - including a CEO of a 100+ employee game studio. You’ll be supported to develop not only your creative ideas, but also the practical, technical and professional skills to bring them to life. 

What's unique about this course?

  • One of the UK’s longest-established Game Design degrees 
  • Combines artistic creativity with technical production skills 
  • Emphasis on hands-on game creation, not just theory 
  • Access to professional game design studios, XR tools and full - body motion capture hardware 
  • Learn character modelling, level design, animation, and interactive experience creation 
  • Regular input from industry experts and practitioners 
  • Practice-led approach with future-proofed skills in AI, immersive tech and agile workflows 
  • Opportunities for collaboration across games, screen media and digital arts 
  • Strong graduate employment record, including alumni working as game studio founders and team leads 

What happens on the course?

This course immerses you in the full cycle of game development, from early-stage concept art to polished, playable projects. You’ll learn to design imaginative worlds, build complex characters, and create compelling interactive experiences using the latest software and techniques. 

Teaching is delivered through practical workshops, tutorials, and collaborative studio sessions - all underpinned by critical reflection and technical research. You’ll explore emerging platforms like XR and AI, and refine your use of tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Unreal Engine, and ZBrush. 

Your studies are enhanced by access to state-of-the-art game labs and studios, including high-powered workstations with pen and touch screens, 3D modelling software, VR rigs, and camera tracking technology. The facilities also include full-body, face and finger motion capture (mocap) hardware for performance capture and animation pipelines. 

By your final year, you’ll be ready to manage full production pipelines, work to live briefs, and showcase your games at public exhibitions or portfolio events - setting you up to enter the competitive games and screen industries with a standout showreel. 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

  • Game designer or narrative designer 
  • Technical artist or environment artist 
  • Animator or character modeller 
  • Level designer or gameplay designer 
  • XR/VR content developer 
  • Creative technologist 
  • Indie developer or studio founder 
  • User experience (UX) designer in interactive media 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The University of Wolverhampton offers one of the UK's most established and well-equipped environments for game design education. Within our Screen School in the School of Creative Industries, you’ll study in an environment that mirrors professional studio culture and fosters real-world collaboration. 

  

Our facilities include: 

  

  • Top-class game design labs with specialist workstations and dual-screen set-ups 
  • Pen and touch-screen technology identical to that used in major games studios 
  • Full-body motion capture suites for character animation and performance 
  • Immersive XR and camera tracking tech for next-generation game experiences 
  • Access to professional 3D modelling, sculpting and animation software 
  • Dedicated team of lecturers and technicians with industry experience 
  • Opportunities for cross-course collaboration with animation, film, and sound students 

  

The facilities are designed not just to teach, but to simulate the actual creative environments found in the industry - preparing you for freelance, studio or entrepreneurial roles with confidence. 

Throughout the course, you’ll build a strong portfolio of technical, artistic and production skills, tailored to the evolving demands of the game and interactive media industries. You’ll graduate with: 

  

  • 3D modelling, digital sculpting and animation techniques 
  • Level and environment design skills using professional game engines 
  • Ability to prototype and develop gameplay using agile workflows 
  • Experience in using immersive and XR tools for game and experience design 
  • Creative storytelling and concept development 
  • Strong problem - solving and iteration strategies 
  • Technical knowledge of software/hardware pipelines in game production 
  • Collaboration, communication and project management capabilities 
  • A professional portfolio/showreel ready for employers or independent practice 

  

With these skills, you’ll be ready to shape the future of game design and screen media - whatever direction your creative journey takes. 

Key Entry Requirements 

Either: 

  • A-levels: Grade profile of DD 
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • BTEC: Grade profile of PPP 
  • T-Level: Pass grade with a core component profile less than C.  
  • Tariff: Other Level 3 qualifications are accepted for entry. A minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points will be required. 
  • UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design or Creative Media Production & Technology- grade P
  • Other: We also consider applicants who have not achieved 48 UCAS points from prior level 3 qualifications. If you have a keen interest in this subject area or hold relevant experience, please make sure you outline this experience within your personal statement. This can be assessed through an alternative assessment route such as an academic essay. 

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Other Requirements

Those meeting the entry requirements will be shortlisted for a Portfolio Review. Further details can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/. Applicants will also be required to provide a satisfactory reference.

 

Progression Information: 

Applicants who successfully complete the foundation year programme can progress onto Level 4 of this course area, you will not be required to reapply or reinterview. 

If you complete this foundation year programme and decide you wish to change your degree subject, you will be required to apply again through UCAS and take part in the course specific interview and selection process for this new course area.  

 

Graduate Success - Jason Barlow graduated in 2011:

Jason Barlow graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2011 and is now using the skills learned on his degree to lead a team of animators and 3D artists at a virtual reality simulation company.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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