Games Design and Virtual Media Production — BA (Hons) Year 1

The BA (Hons) in Games Design and Virtual Media Production is an industry-orientated degree programme that will prepare you for a range of dynamic careers in virtual media production. It combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical training that will give you a strong foundation in cultural understanding, world building, storytelling, concept art, screenwriting, 3D modelling, texturing, animation and implementation, and prepare you for success in this dynamic and ever-evolving virtual media landscape.

Throughout the course, you will acquire a diverse range of skills and knowledge that are essential for success in the virtual media industry, where you’ll develop a deep understanding of cultural studies and world building, enabling you to create immersive and authentic virtual worlds. Through screenwriting and storytelling modules, you will master the art of crafting compelling narratives and engaging characters and learn the principles of concept art, honing your visual communication skills and creating stunning visual designs.

The course also equips you with advanced 3D modelling techniques, allowing you to bring your visual creations to life with meticulous detail. As you gain expertise in texturing, mastering the art of creating realistic and visually appealing virtual assets, you will also develop proficiency in animation and implementation, breathing life into characters and objects through fluid and dynamic movement.

In your final year, you’ll undertake a substantial final major project and complete a dissertation demonstrating the ability to apply your skills and knowledge to create innovative and impactful virtual media productions. Overall, you will possess a unique skillset, blending creativity, technical proficiency, and critical thinking, and become well-equipped to pursue diverse, exciting careers in virtual media production such as film and television production, game development, animation studios, advertising agencies, virtual reality experiences, and interactive media design.

The BA (Hons) in Games Design and Virtual Media Production is subject to re-validation by The Open University.

The programme handbook for this course is available to applicants online:

BA (Hons) Games Design and Virtual Media Production Programme Handbook (24-25)

This programme is validated by The Open University. To access the OU Regulations and OU Students' Guide, please follow the links below:

OU Regulations

OU Students' Guide

Modules studied in Year 1:

• World Building & Storytelling
• Concepting & Storyboarding
• 3D Modelling & Texturing
• Animation & Implementation for Virtual Production

Modules studied in Year 2:

• Advanced World Building & Storytelling
• Advanced Concepting & Storyboarding
• Advanced 3D Modelling & Texturing
• Final Major Project - Specification

Modules studied in Year 3:

• Dissertation
• Pre-Production
• Production of Final Major Project

How will I be taught?

All sessions are very practical. We accommodate many different learning styles and discuss this with all students to find out how students learn best. A vast amount of support is provided by tutors and the HE Achievement Coach, to ensure that students succeed on the course.

All modules are taught by our team of experienced teachers. Software is demonstrated in sessions and resources are posted online to our VLE and Discord Servers. Students are taught how to plan and manage their studies over time, so they become more autonomous in Years 2 and 3.

Our class sizes are smaller than you would find in universities, which means that we get to know each and every student very well. The teaching team is also small and close knit and we have excellent pastoral support in place for all students.

Our students need to become independent learners as soon as possible as each module will demand at least 200 hours of work, 60 hours of this is taught in sessions at the University Centre so most of the work students do is either at home, in the Learning Resource Centres or in the Digital Academy. All resources are made available and are available on the Virtual Learning Environment and also on the College's Discord Server.Discord is invite only and is used for peer review and also any online classes.

How will I be assessed?

Each module is assessed formatively in each session with your module tutor, you will be advised on what you should focus on and directed to plan ahead and also reflect on what has been produced so far. Peer review is a huge element of study as all industry games are created by teams. It is therefore crucial to be a team player. Students are taught how to analyse and how to give constructive criticism and feedback.

All work is assessed at the end of each module and students are provided with summative detailed feedback three weeks from meeting the deadline and this is then discussed one-to-one with their module tutor. All modules are sampled, double marked, assessed and agreed by more than one tutor.

Who is the course intended for?

This course caters for anyone interested in either game design/development and/or concept art. If you would love to work in the exciting industries of games or film/TV, or many other areas, this course would help you to achieve your goals. It is open to students aged 18+ in most cases but is also open to mature students, we usually have a great balance of younger and older students from different backgrounds, races, religions, countries etc. We also have a very balanced male/female cohort of students in general.

Additional Costs

Students may be required to purchase their own materials for any specialist projects they undertake as part of the course.

Please note: this course will only run when it has a sufficient number of applicants.

Qualifications

Throughout the course, there will be opportunity for students to attain a level of professional practice, with strong links to the games industries and the ability to release their own assets through the Steam and Unreal Engine marketplace. The BA (Hons) in Games Design and Virtual Media Production programme will facilitate industry-related briefs and real scenarios that provide an opportunity for students to acquire professional work ethics, time management/planning skills and working within a creative environment. Learning is supported through a series of contextual modules as well as trips, including London, Paris Games Week and the Eurogamer Expo.

A key feature of the programme is work experience and work-related learning to ensure our students are adequately prepared for employment. Students will have the opportunity to integrate their work experience with any of the modules during the first, second and third year, and for this reason the assignment briefs connected to each module will be open to interpretation and not prescriptive. This will also enable the student to pursue a more creative outcome of their choice, whilst not being limited by prescriptive parameters of an assignment brief.

A strong emphasis on supporting business and professional skills through the entrepreneur society. We have strong links with successful games development companies in Liverpool who will set ‘Live’ briefs to give students first- hand experience of professional level working practices. Visits to SMEs locally at certain stages of the course as well as visiting lecturers will also develop work experiences. The main focus is employment and marketplace-driven projects, with regular critique sessions with your peers and members of the games team. In addition, our teaching team includes industry experts who know exactly what is required for a career in games and concept art industries.

Student Benefits

Academy Bakery

The Academy Bakery is located on the Duke Street campus, producing a range of first class baked goods daily. These include artisan breads, patisserie and biscuits, as well as special occasion/novelty cakes by award-winning master-bakers. Students are offered a range of discounts throughout the year.

The Academy Bakery

Academy Hair and Beauty Salons

Duke Street is also home to The Academy Hair and Beauty salons. They offer generous student discounts on a wide range of hair and beauty treatments, at a fraction of high-street prices. These include styling, cutting, perming, highlights, facials, manicures, electrolysis and traditional and homeopathic massage.

The Academy Salons

Academy Restaurant

Duke Street campus is also home to the College’s Academy Restaurant. Often referred to by it’s customers as Liverpool’s hidden gem, the restaurant serves top class cuisine, at highly competitive prices. Food is expertly prepared by professional chef/tutors and young chefs in training and offers students a range of discounts at different times of the year.

The Academy Restaurant

Microsoft Office 365 - Free

When you become a student of the College you’ll receive full access to Microsoft Office 365. This allows you to install the software on your own computer and other devices at home, completely free of charge.

Onsite Sports Facilities/Fitness Suite

The college has excellent sports and fitness facilities at its Roscoe Street campus. Students pay a one-off membership fee for all year round usage of weekly supervised gym sessions, as well as access to a number of sporting clubs and events.