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Games MA

Build on your existing skill sets to further develop your creative voice, within a supportive peer learning environment. 

Key course information

The MA Games course at Norwich University of the Arts seeks to nurture your aspirations of working in the games and wider creative industries, by supporting and developing your existing creative skillset. Our vibrant, creative community offers a stimulating environment for understanding games as a cross-disciplinary endeavour, emphasising creativity over mere industry production.

Game design is a dynamic and iterative process and you will be encouraged to adopt an attitude of curiosity and experimentation with ideas and processes. The aim is to explore how you can use the cultural medium of games to explore an issue or topic that you are passionate about. 

You will be challenged to take creative risks, develop your aesthetic voice, and conceptually push the boundaries of game design, supported by theoretical, cultural, and historical research informing your practice-based approach. 

You will have access to cutting-edge technology and industry-leading software in our labs, as well as the expert staff across our TIGA-award-winning games department, who specialise in 3D asset development, 2D concept art, game design and Unreal game development.

  • A game scene showing a typical room with a desk and computer, a sofa with a blanket, pictures on the wall, plants and lamps. In the middle of the wall is an open door with light coming through. Through the door is a desert landscape with a road sign.
  • A scene from a game design showing an attic room with a large circular window in the centre of the wall. The frame of the window shows a star shape in the circle of the glass. The room has exposed wooden vaulted beams, a cot with a blanket draped over and boxes. Placed in front of the window and underneath a single lightbulb is a wooden dining chair and easel, which has a painting of a landscape on it
  • A digital drawing of two mini turtles on a beach surrounded by plastic rubbish
  • A digital depiction of a body suspended in a starry blue sky against the northern light. The body is slumped forwards. Extruding from the boy is an anatomical figure - half skeletal, half muscular, reaching upward into the sky
  • A game scene depicting an outdoor stone structure upon some stone steps, set in a forest. The stone building is covered in moss and algae Halfway down the steps, at either side stand two large stone sculptures of penguins wearing crowns, also covered in moss and algae.
  • Image of a white and red robot walking
  • Image of a games environment featuring plinths with lanterns
  • animated environment with a robotic arm on display in a case
  • animated environment 3d model of a fox sneaking
  • animated rig of a humanoid robot with large arms
  • Animated environment with an ornate cathedral ceiling
  • Photo of a building through an iphone
  • Digital environment of a courtyard in a city with business people in suits walking amongst skyscrapers
  • Image of a games environment with plants and stone walls
  • A digital environment with square stone platform lit by lanterns on plinths in a dark tomb
  • Digital drawing of a fox sleeping on a derelict stone throne

Why study with us

  • Project-Based Skills

    The course emphasises hands-on, project-based learning. You’ll engage with real-world projects and live briefs, enabling you to apply your skills in practical settings and preparing you for the complexities of the games industry.

  • Experimental and Challenging Approach

    The course fosters an experimental mindset, encouraging you to tackle complex issues such as sustainability, new technologies, inclusivity, and ethics in game design.

  • Access to Professional-Level Resources

    You’ll have access to our Media Labs, offering cutting-edge technology for game development. The 2D/3D Animation Studio provides advanced software and hardware for animation projects, while the Media Resource Centre offers a comprehensive library of digital and physical resources.

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration

    The course offers an interdisciplinary learning environment, reflecting industry practices. This integration of diverse concepts and technologies enhances your educational experience, preparing you for a dynamic and versatile career in the creative sectors.

  • Expertise and Industry Recognition

    Graduates of this course include three BAFTA-winning games designers, the V&A’s first Games Designer in Residence, six teams of Dare to Be Digital finalists, and employees at leading companies like Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Foundry 42, Rebellion, Crytek, Frontier Developments, Splash Damage, Ubisoft, and Rockstar Games. A recent graduate has gone on to found his own indie studio called Kalp in Bangalore, India.

  • Preparation for Advanced Professional Roles

    This course combines theoretical, cultural, and historical research with cutting-edge technology, accelerating your readiness to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving games industry, and preparing you for advanced roles and complex professional challenges.

Course Details

This programme is a one-year course including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete three units and one 60-credit Major Project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years.

For full course details including aims and assessment criteria, download the course specification.

Core Practice and Context (60 Credits)

This unit launches your Masters’ study experience at Norwich by exploring the cutting-edge practices and emerging research in the games discipline, enhancing both critical understanding and creative skills. Focused on key game studies theory and narrative design, the unit emphasises understanding games as cultural and media artefacts. You will develop research methodologies to further knowledge, assimilate findings, and develop creative works informed by context, theme, intent, and meaning. Consideration will be given to the desired outcomes in relation to aspirations and career goals, including addressing global challenges or the United Nations’ 17 goals for Sustainable Development. Through experimentation, critical reflection, and practical application, you will refine your conceptual and contextual frameworks, preparing you to be critically engaged and reflective game designer.

Collaborative Challenge (30 credits)

This unit is designed to address emerging and evolving issues in the games industry, including sustainability, new technologies, and inclusivity. It promotes a creative, cross-disciplinary approach, encouraging students to experiment with various game design methodologies that challenge and expand their current practices. In a supportive environment, students collaborate on projects that may involve real-world scenarios, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals or live briefs from external clients. The focus is on teamwork, critical thinking, and developing a unique design voice, with guidance from industry-experienced tutors. The unit culminates in a group submission and an individual reflective summary, emphasizing independent study, practical skills development, and engagement with the dynamic landscape of game design and development.

Project Design and Development (30 credits)

This unit equips students with the skills necessary to design and develop creative or research projects within the games industry. It provides a diverse range of tools and methodologies, preparing students for major projects, as well as further academic or industry research. The unit introduces a wide array of research methods from the arts, humanities, and social sciences, tailored to suit the unique needs of game design projects. Through a blend of independent study and expert-led tutorials, students will gain a thorough understanding of project planning, ethical considerations, and the use of digital and analogue tools. By the end of the unit, students will produce a contextual review, a detailed project plan, and an ethics review, establishing a solid foundation for their major project. This preparation helps students cultivate a distinct creative voice, equipping them for professional success in the games industry.

Major Project (60 Credits)

This unit forms the culmination of your Master’s study in which you will design, develop, and execute a major project. The project offers a sustained period of self-directed study, allowing you to deeply explore your creativity and articulate your vision to diverse audiences. You may also pursue collaborative projects with supervisor approval. The unit encourages you to create and evaluate a professional-quality body of work, demonstrating advanced understanding and contextual placement within socio-cultural frameworks. You’ll develop skills in selecting research methods and innovative problem-solving, pushing the boundaries of your specialism and offering new insights. Regular consultations with your supervisor will help refine your project’s format and ensure its relevance to both local and global contexts, showcasing your potential for professional and research applications beyond your studies.

Download course specifications

Games MA Course Specification (opens in a new window)

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods.

  • Lectures

  • Seminars

  • Tutorials

  • Technical labs

  • Independent and group work

Assessment

Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:

  • Critically reflective essay
  • Course work
  • Presentations
  • Learning journal
  • Reflective evaluation
  • Body of creative work
  • Reflective research report
  • Team project evaluation
  • Major project
  • Supporting documentation

Some of the people you’ll be working with

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Our Facilities

Look around our city-centre campus, and you will find studios, media labs, and creative spaces in 13 buildings that sit among the cafés, bars, independent galleries and shops of Norwich’s cultural quarter.

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Two people sat at a computer helping one another

Typical career paths

  • Games Art
  • Games Design
  • Concept Art
  • Creative Direction
  • External Production
  • Project Management
  • Indie Games Development
  • Teaching/Lecturing
  • Research/PhD Study
  • Illustration

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)

Entry Requirements

Entrants should normally have achieved a BA (Hons) / BSc Degree of 2:1 or above (or its equivalent), in a subject related to your proposed course of study.

Applicants who hold a Degree from another discipline may also be considered for entry, subject to the submission of a satisfactory portfolio of art, design or media-related work in support of their application.

Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.

English language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill set) or equivalent will be required.  For details please refer to our English language qualifications.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our international pages.

A sword rests on a red cloth on a wooden surface.

Fees and funding

Home

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year

  • Full time: £10,400
  • Part time: £6,500 per year

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For Home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience. Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Alumni discount

Home Norwich University of the Arts alumni are eligible for a £1,500 discount on Norwich University of the Arts postgraduate degree fees (except for the online MA Creative Education course). For the purposes of this discount, alumni are those who have completed a course with us at undergraduate or postgraduate level, but excluding short courses.

International

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year

  • Full time: £18,860

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2026, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students. To find out more and see if you’re eligible, please visit the scholarships for international students page.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert employability team, access to workshops and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Games MA Course Costs (opens in a new window)

How to apply

Home

Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.

Applications should be returned to admissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

International

Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Online Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)
International Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)

International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information. Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details

A photograph of a seminar room at Norwich University of the Arts, where an academic is giving a welcome presentation to visitors at an Open Day.

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