From concept to release
Are you interested in the Design & Production aspects of the game industry? In this track we prepare you for a role as game designer, level designer, system/tech designer, or producer for the game industry, including PC, mobile, the latest consoles, and VR games.
This study track teaches you the complete game development cycle, from concept development and research to prototyping and test-driven iterative design, through pre-production, production, and release. It is very popular with students who have strong communication skills, an aptitude for learning complex tools, and aspirations toward leadership in the creative media and games industry.
We have industry partnerships with companies all over the world, including major developers and publishers such as:
Games created by students
Check out this video with games that are made in coproduction with our Design & Production students. The video also contains other work that our students created last academic year.
Courses per year
During this four-year bachelor programme, you will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and build a portfolio of work to showcase your design and production skills.
- Year 1
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- Physical prototyping
- Team management
- Essentials of gameplay design
- Year 2
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- Level design
- Technical design
- Year 3
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- Large scale production
- Publishing
- Portfolio
- Entrepreneurship
- Year 4
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At least one of the following options:
- Work placement
- Personal project
- Exchange
- Minor
Student Work
Selection criteria
For the Design & Production track you will need to develop a small game. This game must have been tested with the target audience. To prepare for this challenge, it is highly recommended you start learning a game engine.
We mostly use Unreal Engine at our programme, but you are free to use other engines such as Unity3D, Godot or GameMaker. Here you can read more information about the assignment and the criteria that the assignment must meet.
When your assignment is assessed as satisfactory, you will receive an invitation for an interview. This assignment, but also previously made work, will be discussed there.
Criteria
The portfolio assignment and the interview are assessed against the criteria:
- Motivation (20%)
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- We provide small-scale and intensive education. This means that we expect a 40 hours per week commitment to your study, strong teamwork, engagement in regular (1-on-1) feedback sessions, the ability to study independently, an interest in extra-curricular activities and a proactive attitude.
- Do you fit this profile? Explain why.
- How much time did you spend on the assignment?
- How did you prepare? What learning resources did you use?
- Communication (20%)
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- Explain your assignment
- Are you proficient in English?
- Can you answer our questions clearly and concisely?
- Reflection (20%)
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- What aspect of the assignment of the game did you like the most?
- What did you learn from making the assignment?
- What would you improve if you had more time?
- Portfolio + assignment - Skills & knowledge (40%)
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- Quality of the assignment
- Examples of your best work
- Skills and knowledge you already have (including previous education)
I bridge the gap between different disciplines
The Design & Production track focuses on developing games that offer the most enjoyable experience for players. I choose this track because I can easily make a bridge between the various disciplines. While visual arts is not my strongest area, I can very easily communicate the technical feasibility and value for players when collaborating with students from other tracks, like Visual Arts.
For enrolment in this study programme, you must create a game using a game engine such as Unreal Engine. As a hobbyist, I already had some experience with this game engine, which was helpful. Also, this intake assignment gave me a good understanding of the game-building process.
I enjoy studying at BUas. We work in a simulated game studio, collaborating with other students and our lecturers. We develop hard skills such as efficient use of the game engine, as well as soft skills such as communication with others, to achieve the best outcome.
Admission
To meet the educational requirements to this degree programme, you need a havo or vwo diploma or an equivalent of these Dutch diplomas. You can also be admitted with an equivalent of level-4 mbo diploma. Check out the complete admission requirements.
Application and selection
If you meet the admission requirements, you are invited to apply for this programme. Admission is based on selection, each year 220 students are admitted. Please check out the application and selection procedure.
Study costs
In the academic year 2024-2025 the statutory + tuition fee for this bachelor programme is €3,160. In addition to the tuition fee, you will need to take into account additional costs for participation in the introduction week and the purchase of study materials such as textbooks and excursions. Read more about study costs.
