BA (Hons) Games Design with Year 0

If you’re not quite ready to apply for one of our undergraduate degrees, then our year zero route into higher education can provide you with a basic grounding in your subject and a smooth transition into your chosen degree. These are not standalone courses; they are the first stage of a full bachelor’s degree, designed to encourage creativity, stimulate imagination and develop skills. 

It’s the ideal option if you:

• don’t have the necessary grades for direct entry to an undergraduate course
• have a non-standard qualification or experience of the subject
• have changed your mind about the direction of your career
• want to recommence your educational career after time away
• require support during the transition into university study.

During the additional year of study, you’ll gain the fundamental knowledge, critical awareness and practical skills which are essential when embarking on degree-level studies. Our friendly and dedicated tutors will nurture your creative potential and support you while you learn the essential practical, intellectual and transferable skillset needed to confidently enter into Year 1.

You’ll be supported by a dedicated team of professional staff who will place emphasis on building your confidence and fostering your creative potential. In a stimulating studio environment, you’ll explore and experiment with processes and ideas.

You will be taught within an open and inclusive design and media environment that supports the development of the creative individual. You’re encouraged to collaborate whilst developing your specialist portfolio and honing professional skills, ethics and industry knowledge.

Alongside your portfolio, you will have had the opportunity to cultivate your creative voice and to think broadly and adaptively, improving your ability to take initiative, communicate effectively and develop a strong global perspective.

Year 0 is a preparatory year as part of the four-year BA (Hons) Games Design course. It is an ideal opportunity for you to further develop your portfolio skills ahead of degree studies

In year one, you will build the key skills required for games design and engage in debate around the cultural and political nature of games and development.  

Key study topics include: 

• Introduction to game studies and an exploration of games culture  
• Introduction to basic design skills  
• Introduction to key software pipelines  
• Using acquired skills to design levels  
• Exploring narrative 

In year two, you will start your journey into the design and creation of design assets for the games industry; from research to concepts to building for AAA game, independent games or tabletop.  

Key study topics include: 

• Importance of research in concepting and building art assets  
• Introduction to key design assets and documentation 
• Introduction of technologies for prototype design 
• Introduce theory and practice of writing games narratives 
• Learn about the numerous design roles in the gaming industries  

Year three is designed to sharpen the skills learnt in year two and to develop your unique skillset to enable you to produce a considered final submission. 

You will refine your professional practice in order to graduate with everything you need to find fulfilling roles within the industry area of your choice. 

You will be continually assessed through various tasks such as blogs, reports, presentations and evidence of experimentation and research.

Each module has a formative and a summative assessment point, where feedback and advice are provided to develop and complete projects and a final grade is awarded. 

Games Design Year 0 is not a standalone course; it is the first stage of a full four-year undergraduate degree. When you successfully complete your prep year, you will be able to progress smoothly into the first year of our BA (Hons) Games Design course in London.

Graduates will be able to pursue work in a number of roles and fields including but not limited to the game industries, the TV and Film industries and the VR and digital industries.

We will use a number of methods to assess an applicant’s suitability for their course of choice.

Primarily applicants are selected on the basis of:

• an applicant’s prior academic achievement/qualifications and/or previous employment/life experience;
• assessment of the applicant’s ability and aptitude to succeed on the course for which s/he has applied.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our interview and/or portfolio process.

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of an interview and portfolio (or showreel). 

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Animation with Year 0 degree course, we will need to see examples of previous art, new media and/or design work that showcases your suitability for the course. 

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel and preparing for your interview. It also details our specific requirements. 

UK students

Simply select your chosen start date using the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate course page on the UCAS website. The UCAS code for this course is located in the course overview bar at the top of this page. 

The UCAS website will guide you through the simple application process. You can also apply through your school or college using the UCAS system.

Learn more: how to apply for an undergraduate degree course

The entry requirements for this course can be found in the relevant section above.

International students

International students can apply directly via our Online Applicant Portal. Please see bespoke advice for international students in the dedicated section below. 

For information on study routes, visa requirements, studying in England,  language and entry requirements, application requirements and access to international agents, please visit our international section.

Quick links:

• How to apply
• Student route visa admissions
• International Education Agents
• Visas and immigration
• Student Route visa CAS deposit & fee refund
• International student FAQs

At Ravensbourne University London, industry connection is ingrained into everything we do. We will equip you for success in the creative and digital industries, ensuring you are truly industry ready upon graduation. Our tutors are respected academics and practitioners with substantial experience and industry links.

You will be part of a diverse community of creatives, working collaboratively to explore new professional practices. Ravensbourne have strong industry links with a range of high-profile companies, including: Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Samsung and many more.

Find out more about our tuition fees and whether you qualify for financial support during your studies. 

Key links:

• Undergraduate fees and funding
• Paying your fees
• Scholarships, bursaries and other discounts
• Student finance

If you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you. 

Get in touch with a member of our admissions team:

T: +44 (0) 20 3040 3998

E: [email protected]

If you have specific queries about being an international student, contact [email protected]

For general information, call +44 (0) 20 3040 3500

You can also chat to our students