Key information
For:
starting September 2026
UCAS code:
I625
Typical offer:
80 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent.
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you’re passionate about creating games – not just playing them – and want to take your first steps toward a career in the games industry, our Foundation Degree (FdA) in Game Design and Development is the perfect starting point.
As a budding game developer, you’ll explore the art, design, and technology behind games, building the skills to bring your ideas to life. Whether your interests lie in 3D modelling, digital art, storytelling or coding, this course provides a solid foundation for you to develop your creative and technical ability.
You'll study at City of Portsmouth College, one of our partner colleges, while benefiting from the award-winning expertise of the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, an industry-recognised leader in games education. As a ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ student, you’ll also have access to our support and facilities, including the University Library with its multimedia software and social learning spaces.
When you graduate, you’ll have the skills to step into professional game development, or pursue further study, with the opportunity to progress to the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ for a full degree in Computer Games Art or Computer Games Design.
Please note this course isn’t currently open to EU or International students.
This is a new course and we're finalising the detailed information for this page.
You can study this course full-time at our partner college,
While studying at our partner colleges, you can access our student support services and community including study support, the Students' Union and our library's online resources.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
Entry requirements
FdA Game Design and Development entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - CDD
- UCAS points - 80 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Pass (C or above in the core) - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - MMP (Must be in an art, design, creative computing, or graphic arts subject.)
- International Baccalaureate - 26 (from the IB Diploma, with a Higher Level in a relevant subject.)
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs -
Selection process
A relevant subject or experience in art, design, creative computing or graphic arts is required. Applicants without a relevant subject or experience will be asked to provide a portfolio in support of their application.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits each year.
What you'll study (Indicative)
Core modules
- 3D Modelling - 20 credits
- Art Skills for Games - 20 credits
- Coding and Scripting for Games - 20 credits
- Fundamentals of Audio Production for Games - 20 credits
- Game Design and Context - 20 credits
- Game Development - 20 credits
Core modules
- Commercial Asset Production for Real-Time - 20 credits
- Designing Games - 20 credits
- Prototyping and Iterating Game Designs - 20 credits
- Designing for Animation - 20 credits
- Student Enterprise - 20 credits
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £6,355 per year (subject to annual increase)
- EU students - £10,300 per year (including EU scholarship - subject to annual increase)
- International students - £17,900 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Apply
Ready to apply?
To start FdA Game Design and Development in 2026, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – I625
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our .
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Please note this course isn’t currently open to EU or International students.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.
Finalising this course
All our courses go through a rigorous approval process to make sure they’re of the highest quality. This includes a review by a panel of experts, made up of academic staff and an external academic or professional with specialist knowledge.
This course is in the final stages of this process and is open for applications. If any details of the course or its approval status change after you apply, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and will be here to discuss your options with you.