BA (Hons) Games Design with Foundation Year in Arts and Communication · Leeds Trinity UniversityBachelor's degree · 4 years
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Leeds Trinity University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Games Design with Foundation Year in Arts and Communication Bachelor's degree at Leeds Trinity University

BA (Hons) Games Design with Foundation Year in Arts and Communication at Leeds Trinity University. You'll study in the Yorkshire region that hosts studios such as Cooperative Innovations, Red Kite Games, Rockstar, XR Games and Team 17, companies at the forefront of games and digital entertainment.

BA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Do you want a career in games and the digital entertainment industries? Do you want to study in the region that’s home to Cooperative Innovations, Red Kite Games, Rockstar, XR Games and Team 17? Games is the UK’s biggest entertainment industry and gamification benefits many other sectors. This course, devel From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Games Design with Foundation Year in Arts and Communication is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Leeds Trinity University, based in Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.

For Art & Design graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

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

7.8
/ 10
Strong
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent88

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
Excellent80

Published threshold met Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (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 2022-23. Continuation 65% (2022-23; 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.

Foundation Year 4 modules
  • Academic Skills and Studying with ConfidenceCore
    Module details

    Develop core academic skills such as using electronic resources, planning and note-taking, communication skills related to essay and report writing and delivering presentations. Learn to manage your time, prioritise tasks and manage stress, and become more confident in engaging with collaborative learning, debates, discussions and critical reflection.

  • ProjectCore
    Module details

    Study areas of interest related to your chosen future academic specialisation in this highly personalised module. Explore how you will be assessed and the form your project could take, which could be a written report, a presentation, a film or a series of blog posts. Get support through personal tutoring and learning hub liaison. Explore careers and employability pathways in the arts with the Graduate Recruitment Team and the School of Computing and Creative Industries.

  • Communication: Introduction to Modern MediaCore
    Module details

    Look at the theory and practice of film, television, journalism, radio and the web through lectures, workshops and practical exercises. Develop an understanding of narrative structure, character development and how to generate ideas.

  • Image: Introduction to the HumanitiesCore
    Module details

    Explore historical approaches towards images and the social power they embody. From religious icons to celebrity glamour and fine art to selfies, develop an understanding of what humans do with images to shape attitudes and beliefs. Undertake an individual or group project to produce work that reflects the culture of 'image'.

Year 1 5 modules
  • Game OnCore
    Module details

    Be introduced to the core concepts of play and games including game art and game engine skills. Explore different types of games, mechanics, areas of play, rules and themes. Take part in design activities such as designing levels, game design challenges and putting together a design for a playable game prototype. Develop your 3D modelling and game engine skills when you work with props and prepare them for the game engine pipeline.

  • Why Video Games MatterCore
    Module details

    Explore the ways that video games matter and develop the core vocabulary and skills for analysing video games in relation to relevant concepts and contexts of game design. Study core concepts and approaches to analyse video games, encompassing the ethics of globalised games industry and production cultures, gaming cultures, diversity and social justice in relation to games from AAA to indie, game aesthetics and playability. Consider games as games, games as intermedial or transmedia and games as

  • Level UpCore
    Module details

    Focus on computer games, where you'll analyse and break down examples, identify theories in practice, platforms and interfaces, UX/UI considerations, art styles, themes and genres. Build towards a Games Design document where you'll explore an idea and become familiar with a key piece of game development. Develop your game art and game engine knowledge, looking at environments and characters then bring these together to produce a simple level slice demo 'in engine'.

  • Professional DevelopmentCore
    Module details

    Develop teamworking skills through creative challenges, taught sessions, profiling and self-understanding. Work on team presentation and develop a professional persona through attitude, commitment and effective communication. Look at enterprise and sector analysis. Develop your solo presentation and pitching skills. Develop the skills needed to start, maintain and grow your production streams as independent creators.

  • Storytelling and World BuildingCore
    Module details

    Learn how narrative is constructed through studying material such as fantasy, epic and myth and scholarly materials, including plot, plot twists, reader response and character construction including character motivation and choices and world building. Explore the ethics of narrative construction, considering issues such as diversity and inclusion, peace, conflict and concepts of right and wrong.

Year 2 4 modules
  • Games TechnologiesCore
    Module details

    Look at the use of existing technologies currently used in computer games development and seek out opportunities for innovation within the field. Explore the current state of game technologies and identify technical fundamentals in relation to games development. Identify areas where you can push the boundaries and introduce new and creative ideas.

  • Interactive StorytellingCore
    Module details

    Explore ways of creating and interacting with digital narratives. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different formats and publishing platforms, and how they can be used for fiction and non-fiction storytelling. Create digital narratives that could be game-based or interactive scenarios.

  • Professional PlacementCore
    Module details

    Develop your professional skills to help with your CV, interviews, networking, self-marketing, and industry-specific employability skills. Have talks from external speakers and industry contacts as well as internal expertise, preparing you for your first external placement. Develop your skills in creative problem-solving, idea generation, project management and enterprise through creative productions. Develop freelancing skills and equip you to be flexible and professional in the creative indust

  • Games StudioCore
    Module details

    Be introduced to the different roles and process that are found in a game studio, then put the knowledge and skills you've built so far into practice by developing your own demo. Go through the key stages of development, starting from pitching an idea, pre-production to production and then testing and launching your demo.

Year 3 4 modules
  • Professional Learning Through WorkCore
    Module details

    Draw on the professional skills you have developed throughout your degree so far and use these to negotiate, deliver and reflect on a collaborative project with an employer. This could include a work-based project, intervention or an alternative professional development project within the work setting.

  • Final Project and Creative PortfolioCore
    Module details

    Identify an area of game design to specialise in and develop a brief to work for your final project. Draw on the skills and knowledge you've developed so far and put them into practice. Build a creative portfolio using examples of work you'll have collated from your course so far and use existing portfolios of professionals in the game design industry as guidance.

  • Applied Artificial IntelligenceOptional
    Module details

    Cover the main elements of intelligence and intelligent systems, focussing on machine learning. Explore ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) regulations from human and machine contexts. Explore how to design a business around AI and AI trends and measure the impact of using such technology. Get hands-on experience in machine learning algorithms and techniques such as regression/clustering, reinforcement learning and deep learning. Study various real cases of using AI in detecting fraud and fa

  • Immersive Games DesignOptional
    Module details

    Be introduced to the concept of immersion and immersive game design and explore the theories behind what immersion is and what different techniques and considerations are used in design immersive games. Look at a range of example games including board games, TTRPGs, LARPS, Escape Rooms and Computer Games to see how different principles are applied across different platforms and contexts of play and experience. Explore how immersive game design can be used in designing a game for AR and VR experi

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 Foundation Year course brings together practical design skills and games industry context. You'll typically start with visual fundamentals, colour, composition and form across digital and traditional media, alongside introductory contextual studies in art and design. From Year 2 onwards, a course like this normally progresses through sustained studio practice and digital media work (3D, motion, interaction and user experience), combining live briefs with real industry briefs. By Year 3, you'll specialise in areas such as graphic design, illustration, UX and digital, fine art, or fashion and textiles, whilst developing a professional portfolio and undertaking a final major project. Throughout, you'll engage with the creative workflows and problem-solving methods of game and digital entertainment design.

Who it's for

You're suited to this course if you're motivated by games and digital entertainment, and you want hands-on experience creating them. You'll benefit from curiosity about narrative, mechanics, visual design and player interaction. This course works well if you're building practical skills alongside conceptual understanding, you'll engage with theory, experiment with tools and techniques, and realise ideas through projects. The foundation year makes it accessible if your prior study hasn't specialised in arts or media; you'll develop the knowledge base alongside your peers before focusing on games design in depth.

Careers & job market

Nationally across Art & Design courses, 87% of graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after leaving. Of those in work, 55% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. Graduate earnings vary: starting salaries (at fifteen months) typically range from £22,000 to £27,000 nationally; after five years, the range is £20,825 to £29,400. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees.

University & format

This is a full-time, 4-year BA (Hons) degree taught in English at Leeds Trinity University, a University based on its Main Campus. The course leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree, accredited by the UK degree-awarding body. Leeds Trinity holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

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

The teaching on my course
83%
Learning opportunities
83%
Assessment and feedback
85%
Academic Support
100%
Organisation and management
87%
Learning resources
91%
Student voice
84%

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.

Open daysBook your open day

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

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists around 48 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 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 Leeds Trinity 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%
another higher-education qualification5%
Other5%

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 gradesDDDA-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 Leeds Trinity 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£9,790 / yr

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

Check fees at Leeds Trinity 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 4 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 Leeds Trinity 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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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 Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

80%
in work or further study 15 months on
80%
in highly skilled work or study
65%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£22,000 – £27,000
After 3 years LEO
£17,000 – £24,000
After 5 years LEO
£20,825 – £29,400
national rangeaxis £16,000 – £30,500

National figures for Art & Design 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.

80 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

80% working0% working and studying0% in further study80% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

UK occupations graduates enter

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

  • Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
  • Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241
  • Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
  • Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
  • 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: 25; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
55%
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

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

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

Roles & employers

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

Where they work

  • Design studios & agencies
  • In-house brand teams
  • Games & media companies
  • Freelance & self-employed

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

80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. 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 7.8 out of 10: NSS 87.6% · in work or study 80% · continued 65%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Leeds Trinity University

All students13,715
International1.5%
Aged 25+71.1%

Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK

Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Main Campus

248 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 69Shoplifting 45Anti Social Behaviour 44Other Theft 15Public Order 15

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

Is Art & Design right for you?

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

International students

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

Tuition fees

International tuition is £9,790 / 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 Leeds Trinity 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 Leeds Trinity 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 64 - 79 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 Leeds Trinity University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Art & Design graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles. (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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