BSc (Hons) Games Design & Development (Top Up)

The Open University Validation

This programme is subject to validation by The Open University and may change.

What “subject to validation” means:

This programme has not yet completed The Open University’s academic approval process and approval is not guaranteed. Programme content, structure, assessments, delivery pattern and fees may change until validation is confirmed. Final approved information will be provided once validation is complete. Expected validation date May 15^th 2026

Applicants may withdraw their interest, application or provisional acceptance at any time without penalty.

Overview

The Games Design & Development Top-Up Degree is a one-year, full-time honours-level course for students who have already completed a Foundation Degree, HND or another relevant Level 5 qualification in games or a related digital subject.

What will I do?

This course allows you to build on your existing skills and develop advanced specialist knowledge aligned to modern games industry practice. Teaching is studio-based and practical, supported by workshops, research sessions, critiques and guided independent study.

Is it for me?

This course is designed for students who are ready to work at honours level, take ownership of their practice and refine a clear specialist direction within games design and development.

You should feel confident managing independent projects, making informed creative or technical decisions and contributing effectively to collaborative studio work. Strong communication, reflection and time-management skills are important at this level.

This course is well suited to students who:

• Have completed a relevant Level 5 qualification
• Want to achieve a full honours degree
• Are motivated to specialise in art, animation, design, programming or technical art
• Can manage a significant independent workload
• Are comfortable with critique and iterative improvement
• Want to produce a graduate-level portfolio aligned to industry expectations

This is not a beginner course. It is intended for learners who already have core skills and want to push their work further, develop professional confidence and operate with greater autonomy.

What’s next?

On successful completion of the Games Design & Development Top-Up Degree, you will graduate with a full honours degree and a professional portfolio suited to graduate and junior professional roles within the games and creative industries.

Typical progression routes include:

• Graduate Game Artist
• Technical Artist
• Animator
• Game Designer
• Programmer
• Production or Studio Support Roles

The advanced project management, research and professional communication skills developed during the Top-Up year also support progression into postgraduate study in areas such as Games Development, Digital Media, Interactive Technologies or Creative Computing.

Students interested in freelance or independent work can use their Final Major Project and portfolio to begin studio projects, contract work or self-employment within the digital creative sector.

Entry Requirements

You will need to have completed a Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent Level 5 qualification in games design, development or a related digital discipline that demonstrates recognised prior learning.