MA Creative Games Technologies
Belfast, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
13 Aug 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 23,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee
This course focuses on best practices and industry skills used in the games development process with real-time 3D creation tools. These tools can be used for a variety of projects, from games development and architecture visualisation to virtual production and education. The content of the programme has been shaped through consultation with industry partners to ensure the material is relevant and enhances the employability of graduates from this program.
The course materials will be delivered face to face on campus. The modules are built around industry standard software platforms which students can access remotely, if needed. Online learning materials provide an overall framework for students to work through with weekly in person workshops and tutorials supporting the learning of each student. These will be streamed live and recorded for the benefit of students that cannot attend in person. Students will complete modules centered on research methods so that they can make informed choices on how to develop innovative projects implementing games technologies. No prior experience in games technologies is required to succeed on this course. Students will have the opportunity to create a substantial project which could be used as a basis for submission to games platforms for publication.
Creative Games Technologies highlights
Industry Links
Real-world projects developed in collaboration with industry and academia.
World Class Facilities
Students will have access to the Capture Lab and HCI Facilities for User Testing of projects.
Internationally Renowned Experts
You will be taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide range of interests in Games Tech.
Student Experience
Studio Setting for Projects.
The Design Studio Module will see students working in multidisciplinary teams on projects. This will give them vital experience of delivering, according to a brief, a high value skill for employment in the immersive technologies industry. Students will be able to select from a diverse array of projects, with projects in Medicine, Architecture, Narrative, Games and Physics among those available.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
Course Structure
Full-time students:
For full-time students the MA in Creative Games Technologies runs from September to September, with graduation normally in December. Full-time students complete a total of three modules per semester (60 credits).
Semester One:
- MDL7001 Introduction to Games Technologies
- MDL7002 3D in Games
- MDL7007 Design Thinking & Research Methods
Semester Two:
- MDL7004 Applied Games Technologies
- MDL7005 Creative Computing in Art, Design and Technologies
- MDL7006 Design Studio
The Games Technologies Research Project is taken in the summer (June to September). To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Research Project.
Part-time students:
For part time students, the modules in semester 1 must be taken before their linked follow-on modules in Semester 2, e.g. in order to take Applied Games Technologies in an academic year, they are required to have completed Intro to Games Tech previously.
An example journey through the modules on a part time basis would be:
Year 1
Semester 1
- Intro to Games Tech (20 CATS)
- Research Methods & Design Thinking (20 CATS)
Semester 2
- Applied Games Technologies (20 CATS)
Year 2
Semester 1
- 3D in Games (20 CATS)
Semester 2
- Creative Computing (20 CATS)
- Design Studio (20 CATS)
Year 3
- Games Technologies Research Project (60 CATS)
(Students also have the option of completing 3D in Games and Creative Computing in Year 1, then the Games Technology modules in Year 2. Design Studio cannot be taken until the second year of the course).
Exit qualifications are available: Students may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 credits of taught modules. Students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules.
Modules
Students will take a number of modules, a sample of which are listed below:
- Introduction to Games Technologies
- Applied Games Technologies
- 3D in Games
- Creative Computing in Art, Design, and Technologies
- Design Thinking & Research Methods
- Design Studio
- Games Technologies Research Project
This MA programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career using games technologies.
Graduates will be eligible for roles in a variety of industries, including games development, film/TV, immersive experiences/Metaverse, advanced manufacturing, and architecture & engineering. Graduates would also have the opportunity to continue their studies and progress into research roles in this area.
Employment after the Course
NOT JUST A GAMES COURSE
This course will open doors for graduates in a multitude of industries/ countries. With the significant investment worldwide in these technologies (predicted spend of £100 billion in 2023), degrees in games technology will leave students perfectly poised for future roles.
Employment Links
EMPLOYERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PEOPLE LIKE YOU
Games Companies, Immersive and Multimedia Studios, Film/TV studios, Manufacturing Companies, Architecture/Civil Engineering Firms.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.