Master of Design Games Design and Development

The Master of Design (MDes) programme in Games Design and Development provides students with a unique opportunity to design and develop their own computer game to the highest industry standards while gaining hands-on experience with the product lifecycle, gathering technical and professional skills, and further practical entrepreneurship knowledge.

Key Information

• Level: Postgraduate Taught
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: Master of Design
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Edinburgh
• Start date: September

Programme Overview

Join Scotland's top game design programme at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. With industry-leading facilities and hands-on projects, our MDes in Games Design and Development offers you the opportunity to turn your game ideas into reality. Led by an award-winning indie developer, you'll acquire sought-after skills in game design, 3D graphics, UI/UX, and more.

Design Your Own Game

The programme provides a unique opportunity for students to design and develop their own computer game, gaining hands-on experience with the product lifecycle and acquiring technical and professional skills.

Our Games Design Studio

This Masters degree benefits from the utilisation of our purpose-built Games Studio inside our £19m innovation and entrepreneurship GRID building. The studio provides students with a unique mixture of practical supervised studio learning experience, technical know-how, and an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship approach to Games production.

Studying in Edinburgh

• Edinburgh's Gaming Legacy: Edinburgh has a rich gaming legacy, home to a multitude of gaming companies, studios, and indie developers.
• Networking Opportunities: Being in Edinburgh means you're in the heart of the action, with unparalleled networking opportunities.
• Inspiration All Around: Edinburgh's stunning landscapes, historical architecture, and vibrant cultural scene provide boundless inspiration for game design and storytelling.
• Internship and Job Prospects: Many gaming companies and startups in Edinburgh actively seek fresh talent, enhancing your chances of securing internships and job placements.

The National Robotarium

Located on Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus, the National Robotarium creates innovative solutions to global challenges, working directly with industry to test and develop robotic, AI, and automated technologies.

Your Student Experience

Our expertise includes:

• The programme is led by an experienced lecturer and multi-award-winning indie developer.
• A graduate showcase event is organised every year, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their games to the industry and Scottish gaming community.
• The degree was designed around the requirements of the industry, ensuring you are ready to take your next step into the industry or indie development.
• Heriot-Watt University has a distinguished history of over five decades dedicated to research and teaching in Computer Science.
• State-of-the-art labs, including the Games Studio and the university's first VR labs, facilitate hands-on learning.

Course Content

September Intake - Edinburgh

Year 1:

Mandatory September

• Games Design Practice and Pre-production Experience
• Computer Graphics

Optional September

• Biologically Inspired Computation
• Data Mining and Machine Learning
• Software Engineering Foundations
• Strategic Innovation Management

Mandatory January

• Games Production Practice and Playtesting Evaluation
• Business Start-up

Optional January

• Advanced Human Computer Interaction
• Advanced Network Security
• Distributed & Parallel Technologies
• Data Visualisation and Analytics

Mandatory May

• Masters Project in Games

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • UK: £12,584
  • International: £26,296
• Scholarships and bursaries: Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree or non-UK equivalent in a subject area that includes University-level mathematics and programming as components.
• Games experience is valuable, but a detailed statement of purpose would be acceptable.
• English language requirements: The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.

Employability

Potential Career Paths

• Game User Experience (UX) Designer
• Game Developer
• Game Artist
• Game Producer
• Game Writer/Narrative Designer
• Game Sound Designer
• Game AI Programmer

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes, with more of our graduates employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country. We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Heriot-Watt University

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Overview:

Heriot-Watt University is a research-focused institution with campuses in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as an online presence. It is known for its career-focused degrees and strong links with industry. Heriot-Watt is highly regarded for its research, with a significant portion ranked world-leading and internationally excellent.

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Services Offered:

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Heriot-Watt offers a diverse and international student community, with one-third of its Edinburgh Campus students coming from outside the UK. The university provides a range of facilities across its campuses, including healthcare, libraries, food and drink, sports centers, and more. Students can participate in clubs and activities, and the university offers accommodation options near its campuses.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Career-focused degrees:

Heriot-Watt is ranked first in Scotland for graduate employability and its graduates are first in the UK for CEO or MD roles.

Global reach:

The university has campuses across the UK, Dubai, and Malaysia, providing students with a truly international experience.

Strong research:

Heriot-Watt is valued for its pioneering research, which is informed by the global needs of business and industry.

Diverse student community:

The university boasts a diverse international student community, fostering a multicultural learning environment.

Beautiful campuses:

Heriot-Watt's campuses are located in stunning settings, offering students a unique and inspiring learning environment.

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Academic Programs:

Heriot-Watt offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Mathematics
• Computer Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences and Business
• Art and Design
• Languages and Culture

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Other:

Heriot-Watt is committed to sustainability and is actively working towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The university also offers a personalized virtual experience through its online tour platform, allowing prospective students to explore its campuses virtually.