Games Design MA Postgraduate Programme By Ulster University |TopUniversities

Programme overview

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The UK has a long history of making world class video games and Northern Ireland is now host to many successful independent studios making it an ideal destination to study game design. This course will allow you to develop a range of professional skills, problem solving and experiences in advanced games design practice. Further establishing Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art as the regional, national and international centre of excellence for creative industries in education and research, this course is taught by academic staff with a wealth of experience within the games industry. Having worked on multiple titles released on modern platforms such as PC, Xbox and PlayStation you will gain invaluable insight into the drive, passion and work ethic needed to make it in the industry. Addressing the gap between academia and industry, providing access to new opportunities and expertise within the creative industries, MA Games Design will give you the skills and production experiences necessary to succeed as a Games Designer. This strategic and intellectual linking of ideas, processes and outcomes in the programme will enable you to present projects in the real world to a national or international standard. With staff actively engaged with research, enterprise projects and the local gaming community, students will be given valuable opportunities to collaborate and engage with external industry, cultural and government bodies. Supporting the research and development of individual practice, the course also provides an environment to fully explore opportunities for collaboration, allowing you to experience your work in contemporary commercial and cultural contexts. At the conclusion of the course you will have: Managed, designed and presented prototypes to professional standards utilising specialist game design and development tools and skills. Developed advanced proficiencies in a range of practical and technical skills (new technologies, contemporary design software, communications), that will enable direct entry into the games industry, specifically in the areas of design. Conducted substantial and significant research in areas specific to game design and development. Utilised new and emerging technologies such as Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality in the development of original and creative game design concepts. Developed advanced critical and analytical skills relating to the design of historical and contemporary games. Developed a comprehensive set of transferable skills, such as effective communication, organisation, group work and project management skills, pertinent to other sectors of the creative industries.

Programme overview

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

The UK has a long history of making world class video games and Northern Ireland is now host to many successful independent studios making it an ideal destination to study game design. This course will allow you to develop a range of professional skills, problem solving and experiences in advanced games design practice. Further establishing Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art as the regional, national and international centre of excellence for creative industries in education and research, this course is taught by academic staff with a wealth of experience within the games industry. Having worked on multiple titles released on modern platforms such as PC, Xbox and PlayStation you will gain invaluable insight into the drive, passion and work ethic needed to make it in the industry. Addressing the gap between academia and industry, providing access to new opportunities and expertise within the creative industries, MA Games Design will give you the skills and production experiences necessary to succeed as a Games Designer. This strategic and intellectual linking of ideas, processes and outcomes in the programme will enable you to present projects in the real world to a national or international standard. With staff actively engaged with research, enterprise projects and the local gaming community, students will be given valuable opportunities to collaborate and engage with external industry, cultural and government bodies. Supporting the research and development of individual practice, the course also provides an environment to fully explore opportunities for collaboration, allowing you to experience your work in contemporary commercial and cultural contexts. At the conclusion of the course you will have: Managed, designed and presented prototypes to professional standards utilising specialist game design and development tools and skills. Developed advanced proficiencies in a range of practical and technical skills (new technologies, contemporary design software, communications), that will enable direct entry into the games industry, specifically in the areas of design. Conducted substantial and significant research in areas specific to game design and development. Utilised new and emerging technologies such as Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality in the development of original and creative game design concepts. Developed advanced critical and analytical skills relating to the design of historical and contemporary games. Developed a comprehensive set of transferable skills, such as effective communication, organisation, group work and project management skills, pertinent to other sectors of the creative industries.

Admission Requirements

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements. Entry Requirements We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements. Applicants must hold a degree (with at least 2:2 Honours standard) or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior learning. The specific requirements for admission are detailed below: i) Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree in any Game Design, Game Development, Animation, Computer Science, Engineering, Design practice, Visual Arts or cognate subject from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council of National Academic Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard. ii) Applicants may be interviewed along with the presentation of a body of work that can take the form of, but is not limited to, a portfolio and/or showreel and proposal. Applicants must be able to satisfy the panel at interview that their work is of a standard that will allow them to deal with the intellectual and practical rigours of the programme. iii) Applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds however where there is a discipline shift the applicant must represent a coherent rationale for this shift and evidence prerequisite knowledge, skills and experience. The programme is devised specifically to support continuing lifelong learning for professions in a rapidly changing field. Therefore APL (Accreditation for Prior Learning) will be considered as evidence of exceptional ability appropriate to recruitment to the programme. English Language Requirements English language requirements for international applicants The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores. English language requirements Your country

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