Course overview

  • Starts: Sep 2025
  • Duration: 1 year (of 4-yr degree)
  • Mode: Full time
  • UCAS code: I601
  • Fees: UK: £9,250* (2024 entry) / INT: £17,000* (2024 entry)

*Fees subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Get in the game.

This year zero course is a preparatory year as part of a four-year BA (Hons) Games Development course. Aimed at students who want more time before year one to develop their skills, this is an ideal entry-level course for aspiring game makers who wish to create imaginative games through a variety of mediums. An entertaining career in games design and computer gaming starts here. 

Course overview

Year 0 in games development encourages creativity, imagination and new ways of making, thinking and documenting.

The course focuses on giving students a solid understanding of games development, the creative process, and the technical knowledge to realise it.

The course explores the contemporary gaming industry across a broad range of experiences – from the latest console blockbusters to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Showreel

Ideal for...

aspiring game makers who wish to create imaginative games and gaming stories through a variety of mediums.

Why study this year zero games development course?

  1. Get prepared for progression to year one of BA (Hons) Games Development
  2. Games-first approach, putting making at the centre of teaching

  3. Truly understand the needs and desires of computer games players

  4. Flexibility to specialise in your favourite games development discipline

  5. Build a critical language and understanding of games development

  6. Develop a diverse understanding of games technologies.

Who is this for?

Year zero is an excellent entry point into our BA (Hons) Games Development course, which may suit you if:

  • you feel you will benefit from developing your skillset prior to entering an undergraduate degree course
  • you will struggle to fulfil the entry requirements.

Key study topics

  • Game engine technologies

  • Games culture and practice

  •  Game design fundamentals

  • Table top

  • Mobile

  • Console

  • Computer

  • The games industry.

Learn about the full degree

Animated woman running after a pink monster

Year 1 showreel compilation

Student work on the Games Development course

Example of our student's work

Digital explorers For the first time ever, Ravensbourne University fashion and gaming students collaborate to chart a course for the future of fashion in the wake of Covid-19.

Games Development hero image

Become familiar with the latest VR technology

Undergraduate work on the Games Design course

Work by student Wadud Somally

Undergraduate work on the Games Design course

Work by student Gianna Osbourne

Undergraduate work on the Games Design course

Work by student Phillip Kakala

BA (Hons) Games Design 2021

Work by student Gianna Osbourne

Games Design course at the Ravensbourne Graduate Degree Show.

Work with some of the latest VR technology

The specifics

Facilities

Staff in the Kit Store

Kit Store at Ravensbourne

As a digital student, you'll need access to equipment relevant to your course that will support your learning.

The Kit Store provides a wide range of equipment that students can borrow to complete their projects. Staff can also borrow equipment to deliver their practical sessions. 

It houses a wide range of equipment from industry standard manufacturers, including cameras, audio, lighting, and more.

Staff at the Kit Store are trained in various relevant departments and are available to give advice on all the equipment within the store, to help you realise your project.

Find out more.

woman sat working at imac suite

iMac suite at Ravensbourne

iMac suite at Ravensbourne University - ideal for design students and computing students.

Find out more.

Student using the materials library

Materials library

The Ravensbourne materials library is curated by Material ConneXion, a business that introduces brands to the latest material innovations.

The materials scientists at Material ConneXion select innovative materials relevant to the courses at Ravensbourne and that reflect current trends in design and manufacturing.

Samples of these materials are then added to the library so students and staff can browse the physical collection for inspiration, material ideas and applications.

The library hosts 1,500 material samples and an interactive table for further research and access to the Material ConneXion database.

External visitor information

If you wish to come and see the materials library and have a short tour, please contact us to organise.

The materials library can be used by external students registered with the SCONUL access scheme.

Find out more.

Girl sitting in library

Library at Ravensbourne

The Ravensbourne University library has a large collection of print, online and multimedia resources available for staff and students to use.

Find out more.

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