Economics courses at Brunel combine an understanding of theory with the practical skills necessary to apply your knowledge to a business, industrial, financial or government environment. It is this combination, together with a strong background in finance, that distinguishes Brunel’s courses from other economics degrees.

This programme allows you to study the fundamental analytical techniques of micro and macroeconomics, while also developing knowledge and understanding of the core concepts and issues in corporate policy, finance and investment. Initial emphasis is on both theory and practical applications. In your final year you have the option to choose between more specialist modules in economics or finance. The Economics and Business Finance degree equips you with the core theoretical and practical skills necessary to understand and analyse economic and corporate financing and investment decisions in the business world. It also prepares you for a variety of potential careers including management consultancy, business analysis and economic forecasting.

Upon graduating from Brunel’s MA Games Theory and Design programme, students have the potential to enter the games industry through a variety of jobs including (but not limited to) level designer, Q&A (Quality Assurance), project managers, game user research, etc. The programme may also be of interest to those already working in the industry who desire updating their creative and technical skills.

The programme also provides academic support to those who wish to continue on to doctoral studies in digital game research and pursue an academic career.

The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach.

Each module will have a range of assessments; some practical, others written.

Game Design 1 (term 1, 30 credits) - practical group design projects (small); written evaluative case study 2000 words; assessed presentation

• Principles behind the rules and play of games.
• Detailed study of how games function to create experiences, including rule design, play, mechanics/structure, game balancing, social game interaction and the integration of textual strategies to create the gaming experience.
• A range of paper-based and/or digitally rendered designs trial ideas provide the focus for an evaluative case study, which is also presented orally.

Critical Approaches (term 1, 30 credits) - 2 x 3000 word essays

The course will:

• Define and contextualize key concepts that shape the interdisciplinary field of Game Studies.
• Provide detailed study of the different methodological approaches used in the study of games/videogames.
• Students will engage in developing a scholarly vocabulary used to critically evaluate videogames and their relation to and distinction from other media.
• Connections between the theoretical and practical understanding of games studies and design will be made throughout the course as applicable

Game Design 2 (term 2, 30 credits) - 1 x practical design project tailored to a specific platform (large); written evaluative case study 3000 words; assessed presentation

• Building on the work in Game Design I, students develop individually a design for a game for a particular platform (phone; PC; handheld, console etc). The game can be delivered in digital format for those with technical skills or as storyboard, character profiles, visual 'mood board'/style palette, sound-effects/music profiling. The project will demonstrate practical application of ideas explored in Critical Approaches to show a deep understanding of concepts of pleasure, genre, core game-play values, structure and rules.

Socio-Cultural Contexts (term 2, 30 credits) (1 x 6000 word essays)

Overall, this class provides:

• Context and framework for discussing the relationship between games, play, society, and culture.
• Analysis of contemporary demographic data about who plays games, why they play games and how they play games.
• Studies of the ways in which games influence culture through fandom, media panics, and virtual life.
• Studies of the ways in which culture influences the creation and development of games through economics/business models and gaming regulatory bodies.

Dissertation in Digital Games Design: Theory and Design - either 12,000-18,000 words or 8,000 words with practical component - delivered in either digital format or as a design document (term 3, 60 credits)

Students are expected to use the MA forum for discussions and are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular support activities such as game jams, local game related and networking events in order to practice the creative and technical skills developed throughout the programme and foster conversation and connections that are an invaluable part of the post-graduate experience.

• A minimum score of 55% - 65% or 2.75/4 - 3.25/4. Offers within the grade range are determined by the higher education institution attended.
• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 58 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 65% (min 60% in all areas)