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Creative Computing (Gaming)

BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - single honours

Award
BSc (Hons) Creative Computing (Gaming)
School/s
Bath School of Design
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: 6T3D or RTFG
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Shape playable worlds that inform, persuade and entertain.

  • Learn the essentials of games design and development as part of your Creative Computing course.
  • Create unique and surprising indie games that deploy industry-standard tools, techniques and publication routes.
  • Explore the role of game engines outside of games, and the emerging world of ‘serious games’.

Build a firm understanding of coding, interactive design and digital creativity, while developing skills in game making. You’ll graduate with a stunning portfolio of digital work, made with the latest tools and techniques used in the creative industries.

The gaming pathway celebrates the vibrancy of the Bath and Bristol games scene. You’ll learn from creative technologists and regional industry specialists, and contribute to exciting projects with independent games studios and freelance developers. Emerging highly employable, you’ll hold a diverse skills ‘toolkit’ that gives you an edge on typical computing or games design graduates.

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

#5 in the UK

and #1 in the South West for Satisfaction with Teaching in Computer Science (Guardian University Guide, 2024)

#7 in the UK

for Teaching Quality in Computer Science (Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)

UK top 20

for Student Experience in Computer Science (Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024)


Open Days

Get a taste of life at Bath Spa – come to one of our Open Days.

Book your place


What you'll learn

Overview

We teach you core skills essential to game design and digital creativity more widely, including software development, level construction, web app deployment, and asset creation.

These technical elements are complemented by critical insights into game development from industry specialists. Specific Gaming modules explore the ideation and prototype production process, from narrative and character development, through asset creation, UX design and rule-making, to development milestones (vertical slice, code freeze, beta testing) and marketing.

You can choose which optional modules to study, to suit your interests and career aspirations.

Course structure

Year 1
Develop core skills. Start your journey through Creative Computing by mastering the basics of computing and digital creativity. You'll learn how to code through modules that uncover the fundamentals of programming and web development. Specific modules on creative problem solving, experience design and coding for the visual arts enrich your understanding of how creativity and technology collide. Weekly workshops introduce essential tools and software for building digital experiences and asset creation. You'll also explore how to create engaging narratives for digital platforms.

Year 2
Begin to specialise. We teach you principles of effective games design and assembly using a selection of retro and current titles, interactive tools and game engines. You’ll encounter the practical aspects of 2D / 3D asset creation, level construction and rule making, while considering the creative strategies and marketing decisions that underpin today’s games industry. Your games specific learning is enhanced by modules that advance your understanding of programming to include object-oriented techniques and working with real time data. You'll also experiment with emerging technologies and collaborate with industry partners on live briefs.

Year 3
Kickstart your career. You’ll enhance your specialist gaming knowledge, while setting yourself up for success in the tech / creative industries. Two thirds of your time is spent developing significant digital artefacts. These works become the showcase pieces of a compelling, industry-focused creative portfolio. Optional modules give space for creating original, playful ideas within the areas of physical computing or web games.

How will I be assessed?

Creative Computing is entirely coursework-assessed. You'll deliver a varied and balanced collection of projects including prototype software, websites, apps, games and VR experiences.

How will I be taught?

You’ll be taught through practical workshops and project-based learning. These sessions are supported by individual and team tutorials throughout your Creative Computing course. The practical nature of the course offers you the time and freedom to try new ideas, develop new skills and take a deep dive into topics of interest.

A network of visiting speakers and mentors keeps you in touch with the tech and creative sectors, while our technical demonstrators support you in developing new skills.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • CodeLab I
  • Web Dev I
  • Ideation and UX Design
  • Digital Storytelling
  • Creative Coding
  • Digital Visual Design
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • CodeLab II
  • Alternative and Emerging Technologies
  • Creative Industry Challenge
  • Computer 3D Modelling and Visualisation
  • Indie Game Design
  • Extended Realities
  • Smartphone Apps
  • Web Dev II
  • Image, Sound and Code
  • Physical Computing
  • Data Visualisation
  • Playful Media
  • Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Creative Project
  • Creative Incubator
  • Cyber Security
  • Serious Games
  • Commercial Games
  • Creative Web
  • Web Games
  • Creative AI
  • Industry Ready
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality (for 2024/25 only)

Opportunities

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Work placements, industry links and internships

Our Creative Computing students have produced work for companies including the IBM Innovation Lab, Aardman, Complete Control, Opposable VR and Boomtown Festival.

Field trips

Past field trips have included creative industry festivals such as the London Games Festival, Now Play This and WASD.

Careers

Recent graduates of Creative Computing are working at Rockstar Games, Codemasters, Complete Control, Dyson, Rocketmakers, Aerian, Network N and more.

The diverse nature of Creative Computing at Bath Spa opens up a wide range of employment opportunities in both the creative and tech sectors. Possible roles include:

  • Creative Technologist
  • Games Developer
  • Web Developer
  • Software Developer
  • Digital Animator
  • Digital 3D Design
  • UX Designer
  • Creative Producer
  • Creative Tech Research and Development Associate

You may also decide to pursue further study or train to teach with a PGCE.

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

As a BSc Creative Computing student, you'll have access to our:

You can also hire out equipment using SISO, Bath Spa University’s free equipment loan service. 

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £16,905

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,381

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We look for students with a drive to pursue big ideas and a clear willingness to try out new things. Successful applicants will be imaginative, organised and have a keen eye for detail. Programming experience is not an essential prerequisite for this course. We teach coding from the ground up.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below. Applicants are considered on an individual basis also taking into account any relevant skills and experience that may not be reflected in your qualifications. The most important consideration is for applicants to have the qualities and potential to succeed in the exciting new area of study.

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) accepted in any subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit preferred.
  • International Baccalaureate – a minimum of 32 points are required.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher).

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the 'apply now' button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Get ahead

Although we teach coding from the ground up, you can get ahead by learning some basic programming techniques before you join the course. Online tools such as Codecademy (HTML & CSS, Java) and Scratch are excellent starting points for learning to think algorithmically. Good luck!

Course leader: Dr Jake Hobbs
Email: j.hobbs@bathspa.ac.uk

Three year course
With placement year

Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk