About the course

This is a full-time course over one year. A range of assessment methods including assignments, presentations to industry professionals, course work and live briefs.

These will aim to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to specific creative activities in games design topics and in the creation of your own professional portfolio.

The dedicated professional teaching team will offer training in a wide range of practical and theoretical areas to ensure you are well prepared for progression onto L3 or into industry. You will work in our dedicated Creative Industries Centre and have access to specialist equipment.

Entry requirements

To begin this course, you will need one of the following:

• 3 GCSEs Grades 3 or equivalent and minimum Level 1 diagnostic in Maths and English.
• A satisfactory pass at Level 1 UAL or other Awarding Body. 
• You will be invited to interview and asked to bring a portfolio of work that must include a selection of your best art, web or any other design/development work that relates to the various elements of games design.

How much does it cost?

Free to those aged 16-18. If you are aged 19+ you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including: Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries and employer support.

Charge of £100 for the 1 year programme. Fees cover the costs for gaming equipment, studios, Mac/PC editing software, exhibitions and compulsory trips. 

Who is it suitable for?

The qualification has been designed for those who have an interest in games design, who wish to explore and extend this interest via a full-time, immersive learning experience.

Why study?

You will study a range of practical and theory-based work including research, evaluations, drawing/sketching, 3D modelling (physical and digital), digital graphics, animation, AR and game development coding platforms, which will open doors to several areas for further study.

Where will this course take me?

Learners who achieve the Level 2 Diploma in Games Design can progress onto our Level 3 course options:

• UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art & Design - Games Design
• UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art & Design
• UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production Technology
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma and or Extended in IT

Apprenticeships/junior in the following areas:

1. Animator (Games)
2. Motion Graphics Designer 
3. Assistant Producer (Games) 
4. Audio Engineer 
5. Creative Director (Games) 
6. DevOps Engineer 
7. External Producer
8. Game Designer 
9. Game Programmer 
10. Games Artist 
11. Lead Artist (Games) 
12. Level Editor 
13. QA Tester 
14. Technical Artist (Games) 
15. Lead Programmer (Games) 
16. Web designer
17. Web developer

http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/games/job_roles

For an employer, candidates would have a range of Digital Animation and Games Design skills. Having technical skills including, 2D/3D animation, Graphics, Web design/development, Games developed by using a range of software such as, Adobe Creative Suite (Master Collection), Scratch, Unity, Unreal, Apple Swift Language.

Core modules

The Diploma is made upon the accumulation of 75 credits from the units studied. These units may include:

• Introduction to materials, processes and technical skills in games design
• Introduction to contextual research in games design
• Introduction to drawing skills in games design
• Introduction to communication skills in games design
• Solving 2D creative problems in games design
• Solving 3D creative problems in games design
• Solving time-based creative problems in games design
• Developing and producing a personal project in games design

How will I be assessed?

All assessment is by single submission of coursework. 

Will I have to provide anything?

Stationery, memory stick or hard drive.