When RoV competitions appeared in the SEA Games 2025, it reignited interest in gaming once again. Many gamers’ eyes lit up when they realized that gaming today can actually lead to real careers and income.
As a result, many parents have become more open to letting their children spend more time in front of a computer screen. 

In the past, many parents may have thought, “My child is addicted to games, there’s no way they’ll study properly. Their grades will drop, and they won’t have a social life.” But times have changed. This shift has led many universities to develop game-related programs to support students who are truly passionate about gaming. 

At first, many parents who came to consult with One Education had serious concerns. They wondered whether it was really possible to earn a degree by studying something related to games, and worried that it might not be useful or lead to further opportunities after graduation, even though their children were extremely eager to study it. Once we understood how passionate these students were about gaming, we recommended programs that truly matched their interests. 

We then explained to parents that studying games does not mean playing games all day and night. In reality, it’s about development, the many stages and processes involved before a game ever reaches the hands of gamers. There is much more behind a game than people might think. 

In this blog, One Education would like to introduce a Game Design program, a program that doesn’t teach students how to play games, but instead equips them with skills to build a career and generate significant income. The role of a game designer is crucial in the development of all types of games. Game designers create the rules, systems, and mechanics that form the core of the entire gaming experience. 

University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is ranked No. 1 in the UK for Animation and Game Design by The Guardian University Guide 2026, and No. 7 in the UK for Computer Games and Animation by the Daily Mail University Guide 2025. In addition, the university has won awards for Best Creative School and Best VFX School in the UK, as well as being ranked No. 2 in the world for VFX Production Excellence. 

Recommended courses 

1. BA (Hons) 3D Games Art & Design 

The program is accredited by The Rookies, SideFX, TIGA, and CILECT, and it is also proud to be an academic partner of Unreal Engine. In the 3D Games Art & Design program, students gain both artistic and technical skills essential for working in the game industry. Teaching and learning methods are highly diverse, ranging from project-based work and software and art workshops to lectures. In addition, students develop critical thinking, observational skills, and clear, effective writing skills. 

2. MA Games Art and Design 

This program allows students to specialize in various areas of expertise, such as Character Design, Hard-surface Modelling, Environment Design, or Lighting and Texturing, as well as pursue a generalist pathway for those who prefer a well-rounded skill set. The university supports all industry-standard software and continuously updates its technical curriculum to keep pace with industry developments. Teaching focuses primarily on enquiry-led, project-based learning, helping students develop independence and self-directed learning skills that are essential in professional practice. In addition, students receive one-to-one tutorials to support their individual learning approaches and provide personalized guidance on their ongoing studies or projects, helping them achieve successful outcomes. 

🟢 Interested in studying at the University of Hertfordshire? Get in touch with One Education for personalized advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our service is free of charge. Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form 

Sheffield Hallam University 

Sheffield Hallam University is ranked No. 3 in the UK for Animation and Game Design by The Guardian University Guide 2026.

Recommended courses 

1. BA (Hons) Game Design and Development 

This program combines creative thinking skills with emerging technologies that are gaining strong attention, such as VR, AR, XR, and Generative AI, to create new ways of engaging players. Students are given opportunities to work on real game development projects commissioned by industry clients who partner with the university. They also have access to state-of-the-art facilities and receive guidance and support from lecturers and subject-matter experts, helping to unlock their potential as both innovative thinkers and hands-on creators. 

2. MA Games 

In this program, students learn advanced game development techniques, drawing on new research as well as current industry practices, to prepare them to become professionals ready to work in the real game industry. Students receive strong support from a wide range of expert lecturers throughout the course. During their studies, students have dedicated time to develop a high-level professional portfolio, including creating a showreel that showcases their specialized skills and expertise. This portfolio can then be presented to potential employers after graduation, allowing companies to review their work when considering job applications. 

🟢 Interested in studying at Manchester Metropolitan University? Get in touch with One Education for personalized advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our service is free of charge. Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form 

Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University is ranked No. 7 in the UK for Animation and Game Design by The Guardian University Guide 2026. 

Recommended courses 

1. BSc (Hons) Games Design 

This program is delivered in collaboration with the School of Digital Arts and the Department of Computing and Mathematics. Students gain the essential skills required to become game designers in today’s rapidly growing modern game industry. The course emphasizes hands-on, practical learning from the very beginning. 

Students learn game design and game programming, as well as level design and scene construction, game prototyping, and the processes involved in designing and coding games. The curriculum has been specifically designed by the university to align directly with the needs of the computer games industry. 

2. MSc Computer Games Development 

This program is an academic partner of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). In this course, students gain hands-on experience in designing, developing, and testing computer games. They have the opportunity to create games with support from expert lecturers, using industry-standard tools such as Unity and Unreal Engine. Students learn how game engines work, including project setup, creating mini-games, and developing custom game mechanics across various game genres, as well as practicing rapid prototyping. The program also offers an optional placement year, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, develop expertise in their chosen field, and build valuable professional connections. 

🟢 Interested in studying at Manchester Metropolitan University? Get in touch with One Education for personalized advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our service is free of charge. Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form 

University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts is ranked No. 28 in the UK for Animation and Game Design by The Guardian University Guide 2026, and No. 25 in the world for Creative Schools by The Rookies’ 2024 rankings. 

Recommended courses 

1. BA (Hons) Games Design 

In this program, students learn game prototyping, with a strong focus on concept development, enhancing creativity, and acquiring the essential skills required of game designers across multiple areas. These include game design theory, design documentation, game engine development, 3D game asset creation, and much more. Students also receive strong support from lecturers with established reputations in the industry, as well as from developers and researchers who have actively contributed to the design of the curriculum.

2. MA Games Design 

This program combines technical skills with creative practice and academic study, allowing students to gain a well-rounded education beyond just game design technology. The curriculum focuses on three core areas: Skills, Project Management, and Research. Students learn everything from game prototyping using game engines and developing documentation, to conducting research and creating engaging gameplay experiences. 

🟢 Interested in studying at the University of Creative Arts? Get in touch with One Education for personalized advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our service is free of charge. Add Line: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form 

Examples of Careers After Graduation 

• Level Designer
• Narrative Designer
• Game Designer / Developer
• Games Testing (Quality Assurance)
• Game Audio 
• Games Artist
• Programmer
• Software Developer/ Engineer
• 3D Modeler and Designer
• Concept Designer
• VFX Artist
• Cinematic Games Designer
• Character Designer
• VR Games Designer
• Rendering Programmer
• AI Designer 

After reading this far, have you started to change your perspective on gaming? You can see that this program offers far more than many people might expect. It’s not an easy course, and it’s certainly not for just anyone. Therefore, students and parents are welcome to consult the team at One Education for further guidance and advice. 

Interested in Studying Game Design in the UK? 

For more information and assistance with the application process, you can contact One Education, an official representative of UK Universities. We offer free consultation and support throughout your application journey.    
Add our Line official account: @one-edu    
Submit an enquiry form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.     
Call us: 02-652-0718      

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