UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Games – September 2024
| Funding information: | Free For Eligible 16-18 year olds and First Full L3 for 19-23 year olds. Adult Learner Loans available, course costs apply. |
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| Duration: | 1 year (2 for the Extended Diploma) |
| Attendance: | Full-time Provision |
Course Overview
We offer three pathway options for this Qualification: MEDIA PRODUCTION, GAMES DESIGN and PHOTOGRAPHY. This GAMES DESIGN PATHWAY is a one year course, however, at the end of the year you will have the opportunity to study for an additional year to 'top up' to the Extended Diploma. The Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels. This will provide entry requirements for potential Higher Education (university courses). This course is ideal if you want to pursue a career in the video games industry by learning the core principles of video game art and video game mechanics.
The course will explore game art, theory within games, 2D animation, 3D modelling, games design, professional practices, audio, as well as focus on a chosen pathway within games, ready for creating a portfolio. You will be introduced to industry standard software such as Autodesk (Maya and Mudbox), Adobe creative suite (such as Photoshop, after effects, etc), Unreal Engine 4 and Audacity for Audio, as well as many others.
Whilst centred on video games, the content means this course can lead to pathways in other creative media roles in which gaming techniques are applied more generally, including filming and CGI, advertising and marketing, graphical design, architecture and engineering, and many more. The skills you will build are transferable across many creative industries which gives you opportunities to really discover what you enjoy, what you love, and open up that creative potential.
Course Content
Year 1:
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- 2D Games Art
- Context of Video Games
- Genre within Multimedia
- Professional Practice
- 2D Animation
- Audio Creation and Editing
- Introduction to 3D modelling
- Game Creation
- Introduction to UE4
- Work Experience
- Independent Final Major Project
Year 2:
- Team-Based Game Development
- Project Planning
- Work Experience
- Portfolio Building
- 3D Modelling
- Asset Creation for Games
- Independent Research
- Preparing for Progression
- Games Development
- Independent Final Major Project
Entry Requirements
Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including (English language, maths and preferably a creative subject) or a relevant Level 2 qualification.
A portfolio to demonstrate creative skills that could include art, games ideas, media, and anything game related is also required.
Assessment Methods
- Coursework
- Practical Work
- Live Client Briefs
- Work Experience
- Presentations
- Blogs
- Reports
Progression
Upon successful completion of this course have multiple choices of pathways, from higher education to employment. The college itself offers a progression route to complete and achieve a Level 4 qualification, through to Level 6, which is a BSc full honours degree.
Opportunities at Chesterfield College include:
- HNC Creative Media Production (Games Design)
- HND Creative Media Production (Games Design)
- BSc (Hons) in Computer Software Development
Case Study
Jojo Kirk
Chesterfield CollegeGames Design
My time at college has been completely different to education I have experienced before at school. Studying at college has made me feel so much more free and happy, even while working from home I have really enjoyed the lessons we do. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet many other students with similar interests to my own. I have enjoyed the coursework tasks and being allowed to be creative and produce work of my own choosing. I have learnt a lot about the thought process which goes into creating games and how game companies operate in the real world. In the future I plan to carry on studying at college on the HNC and hopefully move into employment working for a large company in the games industry.