Games Design

MA Games Design is perfect for those passionate about the design and development of games. A highly creative and practical course you will be encouraged to develop innovative ideas to produce games across a range of platforms – both traditional and emerging.



Focusing on areas such as gameplay scripting, narrative techniques, level design and emerging technologies you will be taught key skills enabling you to create highly polished games using core game design principles and industry practices.



Taught by talented industry professionals who have worked on titles released on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, Ulster University is one of the top places to explore this constantly evolving and cutting edge subject.



Whether you are interested in contemporary technologies such as virtual, augmented or mixed reality devices or more traditional gaming platforms you will be supported by highly experienced tutors and the latest technologies and facilities helping you to explore new possibilities.



Will you be the creator of the next big thing in gaming?

F/T Programme

Year one

Level and Narrative Development

Game Design and Rapid Prototyping

Contemporary Game Technologies

Major Project

Design Research and Development



P/T Programme

Year one

Game Design and Rapid Prototyping

Design Research and Development



Year two

Level and Narrative Development

Contemporary Game Technologies

Major Project

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.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

1 year, Full-time or 3 years, Part-time.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

This programme is designed to prepare students for a career in a range of game development related fields such as game design, level design, app development and game testing. Postgraduate opportunities are also available for students who wish to pursue a career in research.