Indie Game Development MA
Falmouth University, United Kingdom
Indie Game Development MA
Falmouth University
Game Development & Design
Program Overview: Indie Game Development MA
The Indie Game Development MA at Falmouth University is designed to equip you with the creative, technical, and entrepreneurial skills needed to produce original and engaging indie games. Delivered online through Falmouth's Games Academy, you will analyse the creative process from early ideation and prototyping through to full production, release, and post-release content.
Supported by an experienced cross-disciplinary team of industry practitioners, you will learn to integrate design tools, programming languages, game engines, specialist middleware, and frameworks into your development practice. The program also explores current trends in indie games, funding opportunities, and studio business models so you can prepare to launch your own venture.
This program is part of Falmouth's Games Academy, which has been ranked 11th in the world for postgraduate games courses and No. 1 for Games Design in England by The Princeton Review (2025). Whether you are a recent graduate or a professional looking to retrain, this MA provides a flexible and supportive environment to develop your craft.
Key Program Highlights
- Delivered by Falmouth's Games Academy, ranked among the top postgraduate game design programs globally by The Princeton Review
- You retain full intellectual property (IP) ownership of all games you produce during the course
- Learn from active industry practitioners with experience across art, animation, audio, design, programming, production, and writing
- Flexible online delivery with optional face-to-face events, requiring approximately 20-25 hours of study per week
Curriculum & Modules
The Indie Game Development MA comprises five compulsory modules: four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit Final Major Project, totalling 180 credits. Modules are designed to be studied in a non-linear order (except the first and last), with the sequence depending on your start date. All modules must be passed to complete the award.
Development Practice
30 CreditsDevelop and combine skills from art, design, and programming disciplines to create your own small indie game. You will understand how game development draws from multiple disciplines and produce a report explaining the cross-disciplinary context of your creative process.
Game Development
30 CreditsDeepen your technical and creative abilities by building playable game prototypes using industry-standard platforms. You will integrate design tools, programming languages, and game engines while adapting to their technical constraints.
Co-Creative Design and Development Practice
30 CreditsWork in a team on a problem-led creative project, typically a small game or creative app. You will collaboratively situate, design, implement, and evaluate your creative artefact while strategically managing scope, workflow, and communication.
Indie Game Start-Up
30 CreditsDesign and prepare to launch a small business focused on indie game development. Investigate market opportunities, explore business models, devise a business plan covering branding, cash flow modelling, enterprise planning, and routes to market.
Final Major Project
60 CreditsDevise, develop, and execute an extended development project under the guidance of a supervisor. You can build upon previous module work or develop a new concept, finishing with a polished project of publishable quality.
Rapid Ideation Sessions (Integrated Activity)
Embedded across modulesShort, intensive development sprints where you create small playable games within tight timeframes. These sessions develop your ability to scope ideas quickly, manage time effectively, and balance creativity with pragmatism.
Specialisation & Elective Focus Areas
Admission Requirements
Falmouth University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds for the Indie Game Development MA. Whether you are a recent graduate or a career changer, the program is designed to be accessible to both beginners and experienced professionals. All applications are processed through Uni4Edu.
Academic Requirements
- Academic QualificationAn honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable; however, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply
- Prior ExperienceNo prior game development experience required; the course welcomes beginners as well as industry professionals seeking to retrain
- Accreditation of Prior LearningApplicants may be considered through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) based on relevant professional experience
- PortfolioWhile not always mandatory, a portfolio or evidence of creative work can strengthen your application. Contact Uni4Edu for guidance
- Personal StatementA statement outlining your motivation, relevant experience, and career goals in indie game development
English Language Requirements
- IELTS AcademicMinimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in Speaking and at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, and Listening
- TOEFL iBTEquivalent score accepted; contact Uni4Edu for specific score requirements
- Other QualificationsA range of other recognised English language qualifications are accepted as equivalents
Required Documents
For personalized admission guidance, document verification, and application support, please contact Uni4Edu
Scholarships & Funding
Falmouth University offers several scholarship and bursary opportunities for postgraduate online students, including international applicants. Funding availability and amounts may vary by intake period, so contact Uni4Edu for the latest information on eligibility and application procedures.
Postgraduate Online Talent Award Scholarship
GBP 2,000Awarded to the most talented online postgraduate students based on a 500-word statement covering academic achievements, motivation for study, and future career plans. A limited number of scholarships are available per intake.
International Bursary
GBP 2,000Available to international students joining an online postgraduate course. The discount is applied as a credit towards Year 2 tuition fees and is conditional on successful enrolment into the second year.
Postgraduate Country Awards
GBP 3,000Offered to residents from selected countries joining on-campus postgraduate courses. Eligibility depends on nationality and course type. Contact Uni4Edu to check whether your country qualifies.
For detailed tuition fee information, please contact Uni4Edu — we will guide you through the costs and available funding options for this program.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the Indie Game Development MA are well-prepared for a range of roles in the gaming and creative industries. The program's blend of creative, technical, and entrepreneurial training means you can pursue employment at established studios or launch your own indie game venture. Falmouth graduates have gone on to work at leading studios and have produced commercially published indie titles.
Potential Career Roles
Where Falmouth Games Academy Graduates Work
Rankings & Recognition
Falmouth University is a specialist creative institution with a growing reputation for excellence in game design and development education. Its Games Academy consistently ranks among the top programs globally, and the university has been recognised for its innovative approach to creative and technical education.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Game Design (Postgraduate) | The Princeton Review | #11 Globally |
| Game Design (UG & PG, England) | The Princeton Review | #1 |
| Art & Design (by Subject) | QS World University Rankings | #101-150 |
| Overall UK University | Complete University Guide | #61 |
How to Apply
Applying for this program is easy with Uni4Edu. Our team will guide you through every step of the process — from document preparation to final enrolment.
Contact Uni4Edu
Reach out to our team via email or phone. We will assess your profile and confirm your eligibility for this program.
Prepare Your Documents
Our advisors will provide you with a personalised checklist of required documents and help you prepare your application package.
Submit Your Application
Uni4Edu will submit your application on your behalf and keep you updated on its progress throughout the review period.
Receive Your Offer
Once accepted, we will help you understand your offer, arrange visa support if needed, and guide you through the enrolment process.
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