Game Design at ARU Chelmsford - I want to go but I have some questions.

missk2004

2

Hi all.

I left college in 2023, after studying Level 3 Business in the first year (I only completed the first year out of a 2 year course as I hated it, so not sure if this counts for UCAS points), and then I studied a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media.

Since then I've been kind of lost, knew what I wanted to do but didn't know if I could commit time for University. After a long long long think, I know it's the right steps for me. I would like to go to ARU Chelmsford as it's really close to me and seems to have everything I would want in a University. However there is an issue, I don't believe I have enough UCAS points.
I believe I have 80 points, and I need between 96 - 112 which of course I do not have. I don't know how much this will affect my application, and if I should or shouldn't find a short course online that can give me 16 points.

Another thing is the portfolio. I have a portfolio from Media, it is honestly not great and very outdated. I have some stuff to add to it and I plan to create more to add into my portfolio but for Game Design what kind of things would I need to add? And how much? What is it that they are looking for? What kind of projects? I think that I will be relying heavily on my personal statement and portfolio to pull me through this since I haven't got enough points. I just sort of really don't know where to go from here in terms of what projects to work on that will give me the best chance possible.

And also I know the deadline for applications is 14th January, but when typically would they ask to see a portfolio? Just so I know how long to prepare some new stuff.

Thank you in advance.

Reply 1

McGinger

20

Phone ARU Admissions and ask them - 01245 493131 - this will be the fastest way of getting a response, emails often take weeks to answer at this time of year.

Reply 2

ARUOfficial

Official Rep

13

Original post

by missk2004

Hi all.
I left college in 2023, after studying Level 3 Business in the first year (I only completed the first year out of a 2 year course as I hated it, so not sure if this counts for UCAS points), and then I studied a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media.
Since then I've been kind of lost, knew what I wanted to do but didn't know if I could commit time for University. After a long long long think, I know it's the right steps for me. I would like to go to ARU Chelmsford as it's really close to me and seems to have everything I would want in a University. However there is an issue, I don't believe I have enough UCAS points.
I believe I have 80 points, and I need between 96 - 112 which of course I do not have. I don't know how much this will affect my application, and if I should or shouldn't find a short course online that can give me 16 points.
Another thing is the portfolio. I have a portfolio from Media, it is honestly not great and very outdated. I have some stuff to add to it and I plan to create more to add into my portfolio but for Game Design what kind of things would I need to add? And how much? What is it that they are looking for? What kind of projects? I think that I will be relying heavily on my personal statement and portfolio to pull me through this since I haven't got enough points. I just sort of really don't know where to go from here in terms of what projects to work on that will give me the best chance possible.
And also I know the deadline for applications is 14th January, but when typically would they ask to see a portfolio? Just so I know how long to prepare some new stuff.
Thank you in advance.

Hello!

Great to see you’re interested in studying with us. It looks like you’ve thought a lot about the decision. We're happy to discuss entry requirements and your options with you as we look at every individual application and take different factors into account.

Have you visited us on campus? We have an Open Day on Saturday 10 January where you can speak with the lecturers in-person, speak with the Admissions team, and attend lots of talks and tours about ARU. Feel free to book your place now.

If you can’t make it, you can also chat to our Admissions team who are the best team to talk with regarding entry requirements and the course. They’re lovely and can help guide you 😊
📞 01245 686868
📧 [email protected]

We don’t need a portfolio for BA (Hons) Games Design in Chelmsford as we only need portfolios when we need to check your drawing ability, and the course has an art focus like our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art. Any other skills we can help you develop.

Let us know any other queries, and we hope to see you soon!

Many thanks,
Jemma

Reply 3

aspalax

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

17

Original post

by missk2004

Hi all.

I left college in 2023, after studying Level 3 Business in the first year (I only completed the first year out of a 2 year course as I hated it, so not sure if this counts for UCAS points), and then I studied a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media.

Since then I've been kind of lost, knew what I wanted to do but didn't know if I could commit time for University. After a long long long think, I know it's the right steps for me. I would like to go to ARU Chelmsford as it's really close to me and seems to have everything I would want in a University. However there is an issue, I don't believe I have enough UCAS points.
I believe I have 80 points, and I need between 96 - 112 which of course I do not have. I don't know how much this will affect my application, and if I should or shouldn't find a short course online that can give me 16 points.

Another thing is the portfolio. I have a portfolio from Media, it is honestly not great and very outdated. I have some stuff to add to it and I plan to create more to add into my portfolio but for Game Design what kind of things would I need to add? And how much? What is it that they are looking for? What kind of projects? I think that I will be relying heavily on my personal statement and portfolio to pull me through this since I haven't got enough points. I just sort of really don't know where to go from here in terms of what projects to work on that will give me the best chance possible.

And also I know the deadline for applications is 14th January, but when typically would they ask to see a portfolio? Just so I know how long to prepare some new stuff.

Thank you in advance.

Hi there!
I would always be hesitant about including work that you're not happy with. Generally you will be asked about the work in your portfolio and it's important you can speak confidentally about your work and you feel it accurately represents your current ability.

Not all Game Design courses request a portfolio, and it seems like from the post above ARU doesn't. But if you are applying to any other universities that do, here's some general pointers :smile:

:

For Game Design, you want to show some project based work that shows evidence of problem solving and passion for the subject. Ideally you want to demonstrate some knowledge of designing for a purpose and auidence - evidence that you have a solid idea that you are designing for - and some annotations that describe the problems you encountered while designing and how you approached solving them. That's the core skills that they're hoping to expand on.

I have a generalist post about portfolios, but it gears more towards art-focused courses. https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7647177&p=101038108#post101038108

I think any sort of project-based work that shows the steps you took towards a final outcome is relevant here, especially if you were designing with functionality in mind. Product design work, graphic design and media work are probably the most applicable (outside of the obvious - if you have examples of making games already). But I can also see something like textiles work working well here, tech work for theatre productions, or similar. I think if you've done something like design a website for a friend, created a logo for a local business, or programmed a script or tool for a purpose that would also work really well here. There's a lot of routes you could take here - try and find things that appeal and you have some experience with that you feel showcase your current ability well.

Often portfolio requests come through 1-4 weeks after applying, and they may give you a grace period of around 2 weeks to submit your work.
Best of luck :smile:

(edited 1 month ago)

Game Design at ARU Chelmsford - I want to go but I have some questions.

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