- Undergraduate
Games, Design and Animation BSc (Hons)
Overview
Why study at the University of West London?
- Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
- Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
- Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Why study this course?
On this exciting course, you will be encouraged to showcase your creativity as you learn to make the visual and interactive elements of games. Specialised teaching, focused on game design and animation, will help prepare you for a career in the growing and fast-paced games industry.
As well as the key artistic and practical skills required by employers in this industry, you will explore new ways of interacting with computers and experiencing games. You will learn about the practical and theoretical aspects of creating, analysing and enjoying games.
In addition, the course will give you a foundation in the history and future of games, looking at play as art, entertainment, a form of communication and an engaging storytelling medium.
Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:
Start date:
If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.
Why study Games, Design and Animation with us?
What our students say…
Course detail & modules
This course has been developed to fuse technical and creative abilities. It is firmly grounded in art and design, with computing and scripting elements interwoven throughout, to help you develop the skills you need to make the visual and interactive elements of games.
As you develop your creative 3D animation skills you will explore games as a means of communication and storytelling. You will have the freedom to experiment with new or unconventional modes of interaction or play, and we will encourage you to consider games as spectator or theatrical events.
We will introduce you to the digital tools you will work with during the course and consider how to develop game narratives, assets, and levels.
As you progress through the course, you will be able to explore performance and motion-capture methods, as well as traditional character animation approaches. You will examine interaction and user-interface (UI) design and try out gaming ideas.
For your final year project, you will develop a digital product, which will give you valuable experience of applying your knowledge, business planning and entrepreneurial skills. This work can form the basis of your portfolio to showcase your work to future potential investors or employers.
You will leave the course with strong creative and workplace skills, and the ability to continue building your portfolio, ready to start your chosen career.
Compulsory modules
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Visual Studies
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Game Narratives and History of Play
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Keystone Project
This module provides you with an introduction to the game development process and allows you to apply your knowledge and skills to a smaller-scale project. Throughout the module, you will work on a project that involves developing a complete game prototype, incorporating elements such as character design, level design, mechanics, and narrative. You will learn the basics of game development, including game engines, scripting, and asset creation.
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Realtime assets and 3D Creation
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CGI Foundations
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Design and Concept
Compulsory modules
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Digital Sculpture
Beginning with an exploration of abstraction models of facial design, and progressing through observational drawing and clay modelling, you will develop your understanding of proportion and human anatomical features. You will go on to use the industry standard software Zbrush to model a character, exploring various problems and the tools to overcome them.
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Character Animation
You will gain first-hand experience of building an animation in stages, from layout to blocking through to animation and refinement. At the end of the module you will have created and documented the development of a piece of character animation that will show your ability to generate a considered and emotional performance.
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Game Flow
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Design for Interaction
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Research Project
This module aims to develop your research skills, deepen your understanding of game design, and promote your contribution to knowledge within the field. Throughout the module, you will engage with various topics and activities to achieve these aims.
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Experimental Games
Compulsory modules
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The Games Business
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Sound and Action
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Planning for Media
This Module focuses on the creation and organisation of a ‘Moving Image’ project. This module will explore the methods for production planning and management required in the process of adapting a piece of scripted drama to a visual medium. We will introduce planning and scheduling conventions used in the film and TV industry as well as methods used in animation and games development.
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Games Theatre
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Project
In the final year of your degree course, you will create your own project with a high degree of independence. You will be allocated a supervisor and then given the freedom to create a piece of work, which you feel really represents you as a student. You will be guided and supported, but this is your vision and your chance to show the world what you have achieved while you’ve been at UWL.
Entry requirements
These can include:
- A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
- BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
- Access to HE Diploma
- T Levels
You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.
Looking for BSc (Hons) Games, Design and Animation with Foundation Year?
Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.
Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.
Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.
Looking for BSc (Hons) Games, Design and Animation with Foundation Year?
You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.
You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.
We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.
Looking for BSc (Hons) Games, Design and Animation with Foundation Year?
Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.
Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.
Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.
Looking for BSc (Hons) Games, Design and Animation with Foundation Year?
Fees & funding
Additional costs
There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:
Please note:
- Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
- Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
- If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
- If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.
Funding your studies
You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.
We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.
View full details, including conditions and eligibility.
Additional costs
There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:
Please note:
- Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
- Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
- If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
- If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.
International students - funding your studies
We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships.
Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
Teaching staff
Jay Shin
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at University of West London for the Games, Design and Animation course.
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader at University of West London for the Games, Design and Animation course.
Study & career progression
Once you graduate, you could go on to work in:
- game design
- level design
- character art
- interaction design
- play testing
You may also consider roles within one of the many creative industries where you could use your transferable skills in 3D graphics, computer animation or storytelling, such as:
- visual effects
- animation
- motion graphics
- creative development
- graphic design
- web design
- concept art
You may decide to specialise in a related area or explore a new subject. Please see our postgraduate courses for a range of options.
How to apply
Head to the UCAS website where you can apply using:
- our institution code - W05
- the UCAS course code (below)
Want to ask us a question first? We would love to hear from you. Contact us free on:
Apply for this course
- Institution code
- W05
- UCAS code
- currentVariantData.field_p_cv_ucas_code
Next steps after making your application
We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.
In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an open day or join a campus tour.
Visit us and see for yourself
Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.
Our prospectus
All of our courses in one place - download now or order a hard copy.
We're here to help
Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on courses@uwl.ac.uk.
You can apply to us in two ways:
- on the UCAS website you will need our institution code (W05) and the UCAS course code (at the top of this page)
- directly on our website – follow the ‘apply now’ link below
Want to ask us a question first? Our dedicated international students’ team would love to hear from you.
- Ask the International Recruitment Team a question
- learn more about international student applications
- find out more about why you should study in London at the Career University.
Apply for this course
Next steps after making your application
We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.
In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an open day or join a campus tour.
Visit us and see for yourself
Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.
Our prospectus
All of our courses in one place - download now or order a hard copy.
We're here to help
Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on courses@uwl.ac.uk.
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Student life at UWL
Important notes for applicants
Disclaimer
*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.
**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.
Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.
Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.
Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.
Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.