MA Games Design (Narrative) at University of Bristol

Programme overview

Do you love crafting worlds, characters, and stories that players care about? Join us and design the next generation of game narratives. Imagine building a plane while flying it.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences | Department: School of Humanities | Duration: One year full-time, Two years part-time | Study mode: full-time, part-time | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

We've built our MA Games Design to mirror the journey a narrative designer takes, from ideation to execution. Each mandatory unit reflects part of the process: Teaching Block 1 focuses on storytelling devices and narrative structure. Writing for Games (40-credits) immerses you in the collaborative environment of a game writers' room where you will script characters, questlines, and game worlds.

Career pathways

You'll leave us with a career-boosting portfolio that showcases four key skills, identified by industry stakeholders and Bristol Digital Game Lab : teamwork, storytelling, technical implementation, and critical thinking. You'll be able to explore a wide range of careers in the global games industry, including: Games writer Narrative systems designer Games designer Technical designer (narrative).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You will typically need a second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in any discipline. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. English language: profile level C.

Domestic applicants: GBP 13,100 a year (2027/28). full-time per year; 2027 entry, subject to annual review. Source

International applicants: GBP 29,300 a year (2027/28). full-time per year; 2027 entry, subject to annual review. Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: One year full-time, Two years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/start-application/

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