Computer Games Design

Computer games design is a discipline that sits at the intersection of technology, art, and storytelling, concerned with the creative and technical challenges of designing interactive experiences that engage players. It encompasses game mechanics, level design, narrative, character development, user experience, and the visual and audio elements that make games feel compelling, coherent, and responsive. The games industry is one of the world's largest and most innovative entertainment sectors, and it continues to grow as games move into new contexts in entertainment, education, health, and enterprise.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year, full-time BA programme focuses on the design and conceptual dimensions of game creation, developing your ability to design game systems, create compelling experiences, and communicate your vision effectively to development teams and stakeholders. You will study game theory, user experience, interactive narrative, visual design, prototyping, and the principles of player psychology, alongside the tools and methods that professional game designers use. A sandwich year is built into the programme, giving you a full year of professional experience in the games or broader technology and creative industries.

A year abroad option and work placements are also available.

Portsmouth's location and connections to the games and digital creative sectors provide a rich context for the programme. Graduates go on to careers as game designers, game producers, user experience designers, creative leads, and content designers in games studios, interactive media companies, and technology organisations. Others move into adjacent creative and digital roles in film, television, marketing, and educational technology.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in game design, interactive media, or UX design, building deeper expertise in a field that rewards both creative ambition and technical understanding.