BA (Hons) Games Design and Development · Coventry UniversityBachelor's degree · 3 years
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Coventry University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Games Design and Development Bachelor's degree at Coventry University

BA (Hons) Games Design and Development at Coventry University. The university, founded in 1970, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this course holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
76%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

This Games Design and Development BA (Hons) course at Coventry University combines games design and games development to equip you with workflow skills and understanding of the design treatment, preliminary design, development and production pipeline to enable you to focus on a specialist area in your final year. From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Games Design and Development is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Coventry University, based in Coventry Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Computing graduates from this provider, 76% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 78% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

7.7
/ 10
Strong
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional91

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Strong76

Moderate evidence Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 76% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Solid65

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 65% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year one 4 modules
  • Hack Lab and Creative PlayCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Experiment, play and hack your way through exciting projects designed to help you develop skills in creative technologies across games, animation, digital media and more. This module explores experimental approaches to design and development, allowing you to understand creative play as a methodology. You will work in interdisciplinary teams to develop prototype projects using rapid prototyping.

  • Interactive Narratives and Immersive ExperiencesCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Create engaging virtual worlds, tell epic stories and immerse your audiences in experiences using new and emerging technologies. This module expands your understanding of how games, film and animation engage audiences in interactive narratives and immersive experiences. You will respond to a creative brief, applying your discipline knowledge within the evolving context of the broader creative industries.

  • Concept Development, Prototyping and DesignCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    In this module, you will work collaboratively in a team to develop an engaging concept into a minimum viable product prototype for exhibition and promotion. You will explore concept development and prototyping in animation, games, film and digital media. You will refine ideas through prototypes, engage with audiences and build on your ability to communicate your creative practice.

  • Skills LabCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Every hero needs a unique set of skills, and Skills Lab helps you develop your skill set across creative technologies. Explore areas like 2D and 3D design, creative concepts and programming. This module aims to position you as a creator, building your skills in the development of relevant creative artefacts such as games, animated film, and experimental and digital art installations.

Year two 4 modules
  • Experimental Games ProjectCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Extend your understanding of playful experimentation in game development by engaging in challenges with new and emerging technologies. This module encourages you to experiment with evolving technologies, apply iterative processes and develop creative outputs. Embrace change and challenge preconceptions in the games industry as you prepare to operate within an uncertain and evolving professional landscape.

  • Beyond the Game: Understanding Your Professional PracticeCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Focus on turning your passion into a profession and equip yourself with the skills, knowledge and experience to break into the games industry. Explore key job roles, understand industry expectations and learn how to showcase your work through a standout portfolio. Develop practical skills, refine your professional identity and gain insights into career pathways, from indie development to AAA studios. Whether you dream of designing, freelancing or creating stunning visuals, this module is designe

  • Game Design PossibleCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Your mission: explore how games are made in different contexts and develop, iterate and refine a working prototype. Enhance your skills using iterative methodologies and feedback to improve player experience. Consider diverse game purposes, user groups and co-design concepts, developing practical decision-making skills and testing methodologies to critically evaluate prototypes.

  • Start Your Game EnginesCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Game engines aren't just for games, they're powerful tools for simulations, interactive experiences, virtual production and more. Push the boundaries of game engines to create innovative projects beyond traditional gameplay. Experiment, problem-solve and rethink what game engines can do. The only rule? No games allowed.

Placement year 2 modules
  • UK Work PlacementOptional
    Module details

    This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  • International Study/Work PlacementOptional
    Module details

    This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Final year 4 modules
  • Last Level: The CheckpointCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    It's time to check in on your development. Enhance your skills in positioning and presenting your work professionally as you prepare for the world of work. Conduct contextual research to create high-quality, creative products, articulate your ideas professionally and apply techniques and processes to meet industry standards.

  • Last Level: Rise of the MachinesCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Use AI in computer games and take your game development to the next level. Experiment with AI development, exploring core principles, programming techniques and tools for real-time character behaviour. Discover emerging AI applications in game production and position yourself as an innovative creator. Challenge industry norms, disrupt your ideas and redefine your approach to game development.

  • Last Level: Game of PhonesCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Take your game on the move and connect with diverse audiences across platforms. With mobile gaming on the rise, explore market trends, pitch scalable concepts and develop portable games. Understand modern gamers, the impact of social media on player retention and apply techniques in game design to position yourself entrepreneurially and professionally.

  • Last Level: The RespawnCompulsory30 credits
    Module details

    Step into a world of endless possibilities. In this module, you're the captain of your game development journey. Build prototypes, craft mechanics or dream up vibrant worlds, explore, experiment and create at your own pace. Focus on personal initiative and creativity, pivoting and adjusting your project based on evolving ideas. Embrace flexibility and self-directed learning to refine your concept.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course combines games design and games development, giving you practical workflow skills and a thorough grounding in the design, preliminary design, development and production pipeline. You'll usually start with programming fundamentals and computer systems, alongside discrete mathematics for computing. Year 2 typically introduces algorithms and data structures, databases and software engineering, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. In your final year, you'll specialise in an area of particular interest, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, graphics, or human-computer interaction, and complete an individual project where you design, build and evaluate a substantial software application. Throughout, you'll develop both technical depth and the collaborative skills needed for professional game development.

Who it's for

This course suits those interested in the technical and creative sides of games and interactive software. You'll need A-level qualifications or equivalent; most accepted students (85%) entered with A-levels or equivalent, typically holding a UCAS tariff of 96–111 points. The course is full-time and taught in English, making it accessible to UK and international students with the required language proficiency.

Careers & job market

Across Computer Science courses nationally, 85% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 75% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Graduate earnings from Computer Science vary: starting salaries (at 15 months) typically fall between £25,000 and £35,000; after three years, £23,375 to £33,000; and after five years, £29,750 to £42,000. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Education Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees. Career progression depends on your specialisation, employer, and individual development.

University & format

This BA (Hons) course is delivered full-time at Coventry University's Coventry Campus over 3 years. Instruction is in English. Coventry University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this degree is nationally recognised. The university holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
96%
Learning opportunities
95%
Assessment and feedback
95%
Academic Support
92%
Organisation and management
88%
Learning resources
81%
Student voice
90%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook an Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Coventry University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent85%
a previous degree5%
another higher-education qualification5%
No / unknown prior qualifications5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Coventry University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£20,800 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Coventry University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Coventry University funding →
No verified named award is shown for this provider yet.

That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.

We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.

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Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£26,000 – £37,00040
3 years after£28,000£22,000 – £35,500335
5 years after£35,000£26,500 – £48,000345

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

76%
in work or further study 15 months on
78%
in highly skilled work or study
65%
continue past their first year
85%
find their work meaningful
80%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
  4. 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£25,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£28,000
£23,375 – £33,000
After 5 years LEO
£35,000
£29,750 – £42,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,000 – £43,500

National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

76 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

55% working17% working and studying5% in further study78% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Computer Science courses at the same study level.

This course £35,000Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £29,000–£43,000
51st percentile

Compared with 1,820 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 46% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
  • Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 185; response rate: 58%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Computer Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Boilerplate and scaffolding code
  • First-pass tests and docs
  • Routine debugging and refactors
  • Standard data wrangling

More human than ever

  • System design and architecture trade-offs
  • Reviewing and owning correctness & security
  • Translating fuzzy problems into software
  • Leading delivery and mentoring

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Tech companies
  • Banks & fintech
  • Consultancies
  • Government (GDS) & startups

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

76% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.7 out of 10: NSS 91% · in work or study 76% · continued 65%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Coventry University

All students29,505
International45.1%
Aged 25+30.6%

Computing across the UK

Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Coventry Campus

2,964 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 1206Shoplifting 367Public Order 204Criminal Damage Arson 199Other Theft 190

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Computer Science right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Coventry University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £20,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Coventry University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Coventry University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Coventry University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 76% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 78% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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