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BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (top up)
Why choose this course?
- 1st in the UK for animation and game design (Guardian University Guide, 2026)
- Top up your foundation degree or HND to a full BA (Hons) degree in one year
- Develop industry-ready portfolio projects using professional workflows, gameplay systems, and game
Develop your specialism
The BA (Hons) Games Design and Development (Top-Up) is a Level 6 programme designed for students progressing from relevant Level 5 qualifications who want to refine their technical abilities, strengthen their professional practice, and build an advanced portfolio for careers in the games industry.
Delivered at Hertford Regional College’s Ware Campus, the course combines creative experimentation with industry-focused production, allowing you to specialise in areas such as game design, gameplay systems, programming, games art, animation, 3D modelling, level design, and world building. Throughout the year, you will work on ambitious projects that reflect contemporary studio practices and professional development pipelines.
Personalised learning and industry practice
With small class sizes and dedicated 1:1 support from experienced lecturers, you will benefit from a highly personalised learning experience that encourages creative growth, technical development, and professional confidence. This supportive approach has contributed to a strong track record of students achieving high degree classifications and progressing into industry or further study.
You will explore advanced gameplay systems, indie game publishing, business strategy, and large-scale project development while learning how to research, prototype, iterate, and critically evaluate your work to professional standards. The course encourages independent thinking, creative problem-solving, and the development of a strong professional identity within the games and creative industries.
Teaching is informed by current industry practice, with experienced staff bringing professional insight and production knowledge directly into the classroom. Through workshops, critiques, presentations, and project-based learning, you will gain a deeper understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of game development.
Build a professional porfolio
By the end of the course, you will have produced a substantial portfolio project tailored to your chosen specialism and career goals. Alongside advanced technical and creative skills, you will graduate with the confidence, professionalism, and industry awareness needed to progress into employment, freelance practice, independent development, or postgraduate study.
What's the course about?
This one-year Level 6 top-up programme is designed to prepare you for the professional games industry through a combination of advanced production, creative development, and industry-focused practice. The course builds upon your existing Level 5 knowledge and allows you to specialise in the areas of games design and development that most closely align with your interests and career ambitions.
You will develop advanced skills in gameplay systems, prototyping, production workflows, project management, and professional game development pipelines. Throughout the course, you will critically analyse contemporary games, research industry trends, and explore how creative, technical, and commercial decisions shape player experiences and game production.
The BA Games Design and Development (top up) will give you the flexibility to develop specialist skills across areas such as game design, gameplay systems, programming, games art, 3D modelling, animation, level design, and indie game development. Through self-directed projects, professional briefs, and portfolio-focused production, you will create industry-ready work that reflects current studio practices while showcasing your individual creative style and career ambitions.
A strong emphasis is placed on independent development and professional practice. You will explore how indie studios and developers bring games to market, learning about digital distribution platforms, audience engagement, branding, and business strategy alongside technical production skills.
The course culminates in a major self-directed portfolio project that allows you to demonstrate your specialist skills, creative vision, and professional readiness within your chosen area of games development.
What will I study?
Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, tutorials, critiques, studio practice, and project-based learning. You will learn through hands-on production, experimentation, research, and critical reflection while developing the technical and professional skills expected within the games industry.
Across the year, you will study three specialist Level 6 modules designed to develop different aspects of professional games practice.
You will explore advanced gameplay systems by researching, designing, and prototyping interactive mechanics such as combat systems, dialogue systems, quests, and inventory systems. Through iterative development and production planning, you will learn how professional gameplay experiences are designed, tested, and refined.
You will also investigate the business and entrepreneurial side of game development, learning how indie developers create brands, identify market opportunities, develop business strategies, and publish content through professional ecommerce and distribution platforms such as Steam and the Epic Games Store.
The course concludes with a substantial Final Major Project, where you will independently plan, manage, and develop a professional portfolio piece aligned to your chosen specialism and future career goals. This project allows you to showcase your technical ability, creative identity, and understanding of industry-standard workflows.
Alongside practical development, you will strengthen your research, analytical, communication, and project management skills. Critical reflection and evaluation are embedded throughout the course, helping you refine your creative process, respond to feedback, and continuously improve your professional practice.