Games Design and Development

Games design and development is a degree that spans both the creative and the technical dimensions of making video games, developing your understanding of game systems, mechanics, and experience design alongside the programming and technical skills needed to implement your ideas in a working game. Where games design focuses on the conceptual and experiential side, and games art on the visual, games design and development combines design thinking with the ability to write code, use game engines, and bring a game from concept to playable reality. The games industry values people who can bridge creative vision and technical execution.

At Middlesex University, this three-year, full-time degree develops your programming skills, helps you experiment with technology, and builds your command of gameplay design, prototyping, and in-game engine scripting. You will work with contemporary game engines, learning to implement game mechanics, design and build levels, and create the interactive systems that make games engaging. Academic staff with experience in the industry support your development, and the programme is designed to reflect the realities of professional game development practice.

The degree includes a sandwich placement year and work placement opportunities, giving you significant industry experience before you graduate.

Graduates from games design and development programmes work in the video games industry in roles that span design and engineering, including gameplay programmer, systems designer, level designer, technical designer, and tools developer. The programming skills are also transferable into software development, interactive media, simulation, and digital product development more broadly. Many graduates join studios of various sizes, from major publishers to independent teams, and some go on to start their own projects or studios.

Postgraduate study in games, interactive media, or software engineering is an option for those who want to develop specialist expertise.