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. That's how narrative designers have described the development process: simultaneously evolving the storyline for a game as you create it. Narrative design anticipates the entire game experience, from mechanics and worlds to player actions. Informed by leading narrative designers at Larian Studios, The Chinese Room and Creative Assembly, the MA Games Design (Narrative) presents a unique fusion of creative vision and technical expertise.
We know that the industry is looking for four highly desirable skills that you'll be able to demonstrate on completion of the programme: teamwork, storytelling, technical implementation, and critical thinking. Our teaching draws directly on collaborative research and development projects we've run with industry partners such as Meaning Machine, as well as the Bristol Digital Game Lab pioneering game making as research from heritage to mental health. This will support you to hone your strengths across systems design and storytelling - giving you a unique edge in the sector.
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:
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.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional qualifications.
If you have additional qualifications, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing:
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels .
Apply via our online application system. For further information, please see the guidance for how to apply on our webpages.
Overseas applicants: 12 August 2027. Home applicants: 9 September 2027.
Please note that due to high demand, some programmes may close earlier than advertised. Early applications are advised to avoid disappointment. Places are limited and allocated on a continuous basis from September 2026 until all places are filled.