Games Development - Level 3

More about the course

If you want to work in the games industry, this two-year vocational course is a great place to start.

Game Design is a smart choice of career because there will always be a market of people who to want play video games. This course gives you the technical skills and practical knowledge to succeed in industry.

Covering a range of topics from game design and development to digital media production and project management, this course gives you all the building blocks you need to start your career in the world of gaming.

Our industry link with independent games development studio, Chokepoint Creative, benefits our students as it means that the content of the course is current and industry-relevant.

Entry requirements

This course requires 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths.

It is expected that students also have a strong interest in games (games design, mechanics, animation, concept art, story-telling, 3D modelling, games environments) and digital media to get the most out of this course.

A creative mind, and the ability to generate ideas are both important.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course you will achieve a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games Development).

What will I learn?

Game Design and Development: 

• Game engines

• Coding

• 2D and 3D graphics

• User interfaces

• Gameplay mechanics

Digital Media Production:

• Animation

• Audio and sound design

• Video editing

• Special effects

Project Management:

• How to plan, organize, and manage game development projects

• Team management

• Scheduling

• Budgeting

Industry Context

• History and current state of the games industry

• Market trends

• Consumer behaviour

• Industry regulations

How is the course taught?

• Practical sessions

• Classroom sessions

• One-to-one tutorials

• Group work/projects

How am I assessed?

• Practical assessments

• Presentations

• Written work (reports, presentations, scripts)

• Audio recordings of discussions (podcasts)

• Portfolios

Work experience opportunities

We will support and help you find, and participate in work experience with local game studios and developers. This may include live client briefs, days in industry and/or employer workshops.

You will take some of the responsibility in sourcing your own work experience placements. We ask you to get familiar with the different games design and development companies in the local area, and share/promote your portfolios to gain some recognition that may lead to greater work experience opportunities.

English and Maths

Both English and maths skills are vital for this course, and these will be embedded into your studies through speaking and listening activities, presentations, portfolios, storyboarding your concepts, designing and building worlds, using dimensions and perspectives.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you could progress onto our Level 4 FdSc degree in Games Technologies or we could help you find an advanced apprenticeship within the games industry.