MA in Spiele-Design und -Entwicklung

Overview

A ground-breaking MA in Games Design and Development. The course combines input and tuition from leading games industry experts in design, art, production, and audio with NFTS expertise in disciplines including screenwriting, animation, sound design and composition, to pioneer unique and innovative games.

The MA in Games Design and Development is a world-leading postgraduate games programme taught by leading games professionals with a reputation, accreditation, and alumni unlike any other. Students work alongside film, television and animation practitioners, developing creative and technical skills in games design, code, art, animation, production, audio, and interface. The NFTS is a uniquely creative environment, enabling MA Games students to benefit from numerous collaborative opportunities across our production studios.

• Taught by leading games practitioners and experts in the field.
• An interdisciplinary learning experience. You’ll work alongside students from other NFTS courses including sound design, composing, screenwriting, cinematography, producing, production design, digital effects, editing and production management.
• Build an in-depth knowledge of all games design and development disciplines.
• Develop industry contacts through conferences, event attendance, trade association involvement and visits from industry practitioners and luminaries.
• Gain a practical knowledge of games software development, and the ability to experiment with new pipelines and evolving technologies and techniques.
• Work on high profile solo and group projects, with plenty of opportunities to experiment, innovate and excel.
• Unlike other schools, production costs are met by the school.

We welcome EU/EEA Students. Those accepted onto the course starting in 2018 and 2019 will have their fees guaranteed at the UK rate for both years of the course. Postgraduate students can apply for a loan to help with their studies via the Student Loans Company Loans. A £10,609 loan is available to contribute to course and living costs. The Postgraduate Loan is only open to EU/EEA and UK Students who normally live in England. It is not currently available to Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland Students. Find out more here.

Entry Requirements

Games design and development students at the NFTS come from a wide range of backgrounds and prior experiences and have demonstrated an excitement, aptitude, creativity, and willingness to learn new skills. We actively seek a diverse and interesting group of people who have something new to bring into the games development fold. Successful applicants have come to us with previous qualifications from across the arts, sciences, and humanities; and from all walks of life as far as profession and practice is concerned. Games development experience is welcome, but by no means essential.

The NFTS games course provides a truly unique opportunity to enter one of the most exciting creative industries of the modern age.

Apply With

• A Digital Portfolio of your creative work presented online (Send us a link to your YouTube videos or a Google Shared Folder or a personal website). This may show sketches, illustrations, animations, sample games, design documents, and others. The purpose is to showcase your creative skills.

Feel free to contact the NFTS games department via games@nfts.co.uk for any further information. You can also keep up to date with all our latest developments on the course blog at www.nfts-games.com, our facebook page www.facebook.com/NFTS.Games or twitter feed @NFTS_Games.

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply directly to us at the NFTS by clicking on the link below:

• APPLY FOR GAMES DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT COURSE

• You can apply online, or download a word document of the application form to submit via email

When selecting your course, please ensure that you have read the entry requirements and details of the supporting materials that should accompany your application.

TIMING YOUR APPLICATION

We are happy to receive applications 24/7 and 365 days a year up until the deadline.

History

The National Film School (as it was first named) opened in 1971, the culmination of a major effort by the Industry and government to create an institution to educate and train talent for the British Film Industry.

In 1970, Colin Young, a Scot then chairing the University of California's Department of Theater Arts, co-founded the NFTS and was appointed as the School's first director. With a loan from Rank, the NFS bought the old Beaconsfield Film Studios in Buckinghamshire - which had been home to organisations as diverse as British Lion Film Corporation, The Crown Film Unit and the North Thames Gas Board - and set about refitting it to professional industry standards. Young established four permanent departments - production, camera, editing and sound - and in 1971 the first intake of 25 students passed through the studio gates. Directors Mike Radford (The Merchant of Venice, Il Postino), Bill Forsyth (Local Hero) and Ben Lewin (Ally McBeal), pioneering documentarist Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Portrait of a Serial Killer), and visual effects specialist Dennis Lowe (Cold Mountain, The English Patient) were among their number.

Production Facilities

The NFTS is the only UK film school with its own industry standard film studio, 4k Television and rehearsal studios. With a recent £20 million investment in the School, we offer cutting-edge dedicated workspaces for all courses, making our student experience unparalleled at any other UK creative institution.

NFTS students are given 24/7 access, 364 days a year to the largest production facilities at any UK film school. Not only do these include our studios, but also our sound and dubbing theatres, over 50 top of the range cameras, the latest editing software in dedicated suites, our Dolby Digital Surround Cinemas, and more. These unique facilities enable our students to create BAFTA, Royal Television Society, CILECT award winning and Oscar-nominated productions.

Curriculum

There is no other film school in the world that offers so many individual specialist practical filmmaking courses. 18 Masters, 14 Diplomas, 4 Certificates and a wide range of short courses.

NFTS Courses are based on learning and applying the crafts and skills of the medium. Students are encouraged to develop a solid understanding of how their specialist role fits into the overall process of project development, production and programme-making. All practical learning is carefully integrated with seminars and other activities that place film, television and games in a historical, cultural and business context.

Alumni Network

Just because you've graduated, doesn't mean it's over!

The NFTS has a very active Alumni Network, with many graduates staying in touch and working together long after they have left the School. There are also an increasing number of recent graduates working on projects with graduates from many years back.

As part of the Alumni Network, you will receive regular emails containing information about jobs, Bridges to Industry projects and news from the school. We also have our Annual NFTS Alumni Party that takes place in Central London every January – be sure to keep an eye out for your invitation!

Don’t forget to keep us up to date with contact details and let us know about any credits or festivals you are involved with!

To contact our NFTS Alumni team, please email alumni@nfts.co.uk

To help you stay connected, reunite with old classmates or meet graduates from other years why not join us online on Facebook and Linked In.

Partners

The NFTS is indebted to the many organisations, companies and individuals who support our work, many of whom have supported the School for the majority of its existence.

PLATINUM PARTNER SPONSOR

KEY PARTNER FUNDERS

KEY PARTNER SPONSORS

KEY PARTNER ACCREDITATIONS

Bridges to Industry

The NFTS works with a range of partners in the Industry to provide opportunities for NFTS students and graduates.

The NFTS Bridge to Industry Schemes are designed to help NFTS students and graduates into the Industry - providing opportunities to create shorts, films and promos with our Industry Partner sponsors, whilst continuing to be supported by the NFTS.