Overview
The games design industry, in the UK and worldwide, is growing and there is a demand for skilled and well-educated professionals to take gaming to its next level. Brunel’s Digital Games Theory and Design MA course will give you a comprehensive understanding of digital games and the techniques and principles used in their design.
You will engage in, and experiment with, practical games design and develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the advanced academic study of games and their theoretical, artistic and technological perspectives. You will also engage in the practice of making games and explore the factors that shape the games industry.
No previous experience with programming or an art background is required for this course, just a passion for games. You will learn how to create your own practical designs, how to communicate your ideas to an audience, how to create games design documents, and you’ll also explore games studies.
You will have opportunities to make connections with other games design cohorts and industry experts. And we will encourage you to participate in extracurricular activities such as game jams and game-related networking events. These are all activities that introduce you to the broader social culture of the digital and creative world and are vital to being successful in the games industry.
The course is run by staff who are seasoned games designers, internationally published scholars and pedagogical experts. They will share their enthusiasm and understanding of the nature of the video game industry, the importance of networks and the skills needed to create innovative games for the future.
"Brunel changed my life. I met amazing teachers that really pushed me forward and I got to meet great people. Without Brunel, I wouldn't be where I am today!" - Marina Díez Pereiro
"Brunel changed my life. I met amazing teachers that really pushed me forward and I got to meet great people. Without Brunel, I wouldn't be where I am today!" - Marina Díez Pereiro
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
This exciting course teaches the creative process of games design. It focuses on the integration of the theoretical and practical aspects of making games via industry-facing content. Studying this course will help to fully equip you for your place in the games industry.
Students are expected to use the MA forum for discussions and are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular support activities such as game jams, local game related and networking events in order to practice the creative and technical skills developed throughout the programme and foster conversation and connections that are an invaluable part of the postgraduate experience.
The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.
Compulsory
- Art Thinking for Games: Visual Research, Creative Practice & Art DirectionThis module focuses on artistic considerations of contemporary games and explores art thinking, creativity and visual design. You will examine games as experimental and artistic media and consider the stylistic and aesthetic merits of visual assets.
- Games Development: Prototyping Tools, Methods & TechniquesThis module delves into the digital game development process utilising industry methodologies, prototyping methods and tools, collaborative practices and project management skills. You will be tasked with designing and developing a game in a small team, demonstrating your ability to contribute effectively and deliver a product.
- Game Studies: Concepts, Contexts, and AnalysesThe main aim of this module is to introduce you to key concepts and theoretical approaches in the field of game studies. The module will approach games from a number of perspectives including philosophy, media and cultural studies, and socio-cultural studies.
- Games Design: Engagement, Experience & Iterative PracticeThis module will provide you with the opportunity to develop your own design skills, putting into practise the theory of design, informed by theoretical approaches. You will create work based on differing design concepts and will present and review one another’s’ work, guided by the lecturer.
- Dissertation in Digital GamesThis module enables sustained engagement with the research and practice of digital games via a large scale, dissertation project. A combination of independent thought, self-reflection, critical understanding, creativity and practical skills will be required to produce written outputs and innovative designs. You will be required to self-manage, problem-solve and work independently to produce work that is appropriate to postgraduate level of study.
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Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Upon completing the course, you'll have the potential to enter the games industry through a variety of jobs including level designer, quality assurance, project manager and games user researcher. Our MA will also help develop your expertise if you are already in industry and want to update your creative and technical skills to keep up with the latest developments in the dynamic field of games design.
With confidence in their skills and their abilities, our graduates leave the course prepared to enter the games industry, and many of them have gone on to work for prestigious organisations including King, Mediatonic, Rovio, Creative Assembly, Supermassive Games, and Ubisoft.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Multimedia or Digital Design.
Other subjects and qualifications with relevant games industry experience will be assessed on an individual basis and may also be considered.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
UK
£12,125 full-time
International
£22,320 full-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Assessment is via a combination of practical games-making work, presentations and essays of varying length.
You will also write a dissertation in the third term. There are no exams.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.