Course information
Department
Length
1 Year Full Time
Course overview
This unique course offers critically-engaging themes and technologies, providing skills in immersive storytelling to reflect rapid changes in the games industry.
Whether you are looking to build retail or museum installations or you want to use games to tell cinematic stories, this program explores how to craft deeply compelling, critical games and interactive work both for clients and creative practice.
The MA in Independent Games and Playable Experience Design focuses on developing aesthetic awareness, creating compelling mechanics and the ability to craft innovative narratives in games and immersive experiences. Students will be given the skills needed to run a small business and produce quality design on a highly professional level.
Visiting guest lecturers, researchers and artists from around the world will stimulate your critical thinking while inspiring your creativity. Skills based workshops in the latest fabrication and production methodologies will empower you to build stunning installations.
This program will provide access to education and skills new creators will need to be successful in the marketplace.
Why this course?
As technologies have integrated into our everyday lives, elements from games have been woven into everything from the way museums educate the public to how scientists do cancer research. With the rise of mobile, console creators no longer hold a monopoly on gaming platforms. This new found freedom has resulted in an explosion of independent games creating new genres of play. From putting players in immersive augmented worlds to telling transformational personal narratives, these new experiences are redefining the rules of play. Games are now just part of everyday life. As a result, markets that were dominated by traditional media have begun to leverage the ability of games to tell stories, share the news, generate knowledge and educate the public. An explosion of games and apps has created a new breed of entrepreneur which uses small teams to create projects that are accessible to millions. This rising market has become a driving economic reality within the UK.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Phoenix Perry or Prof Robert Zimmer
What you'll study
Core modules
You will study the following modules:
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Approaches to Play 1 | 15 credits | |
Approaches to Play 2 | 15 credits | |
Final Project for MA Independent Games and Playable Experience Design | 60 credits |
And either:
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Physical Computing | 15 credits |
Or:
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Physical Computing: Using Microcontrollers with Fabrication Techniques | 30 credits |
Additionally, a selection of optional modules to the value of 15 and 30 credits will be provided from an annual list for each term and will be made available by the department.
The current list of optional proposed modules for 2017-2018 is:
Module title | Credits | |
---|---|---|
Introduction to Modelling and Animation | 15 credits | |
Creative Data | 15 credits | |
Workshops in Creative Coding 1 | 15 credits | |
Workshops in Creative Coding 2 | 15 credits | |
3D Virtual Environments and Animation | 15 credits | |
Entrepreneurial Modelling | 30 credits | |
Physical Computing | 15 credits | |
Narrative and Interactive Fiction | 15 credits |
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Download the programme specification for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.
Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Entry requirements
You should have an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard with an interest in and capability for working in interdisciplinary contexts using technology. In exceptional circumstances, outstanding practitioners or individuals with strong commercial experience may be considered.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Find out more about tuition fees.
Find out more about funding opportunities for home/EU applicants, or funding for international applicants. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
How to apply
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online
Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.
Selection process
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Find out more about applying.