Course summary
Course may be subject to change and programme is subject to validation.
Foundation Degree (FdA) Games Design and Development:
The Foundation Degree (FdA) Games Design and Development at New College Durham is a full-time, on-site programme designed to prepare students for a career in the games and creative digital industries. The course blends creative and technical practice through studio-based learning, helping students develop the skills, confidence, and professional behaviours required to work in modern games development environments.
What you will study:
Students develop practical games design and development skills through collaborative, project-led work that mirrors industry workflows. Learning focuses on hands-on production, iterative development, critique, playtesting, and portfolio building, supported by access to specialist facilities and industry-standard tools and software.
How you will learn:
Delivery is designed around an on-site studio culture, supporting teamwork, communication, and real-time problem solving. Students benefit from direct tutor access, technical support, and structured opportunities to develop professional practice in a way that reflects how games studios operate.
Industry relevance and progression:
The programme is informed by regional and national employer engagement and supports progression from existing Level 2 and Level 3 Games pathways at New College Durham. The course is designed to support progression into employment, higher or degree apprenticeships, and top-up degree routes, helping retain talent locally while preparing students for the wider games industry.
Who this course is for:
This programme is ideal for students who want a practical, vocational route into games design and development, with a strong focus on collaborative production and creating a portfolio of work that demonstrates their creative and technical strengths.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- FdA • Full-time • 2 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- DGD5
- Institution code:
- N28
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
New College Durham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- DGD5
- Institution code:
- N28
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
Standard Entry Requirements for Full Time Students
The following admissions criteria will normally apply at Level 4:
Applicants must be a minimum age of 18 years old at the start of the programme.
Applicants are expected to hold a relevant Level 3 qualification in a related subject (for example A Levels or BTEC) with a minimum of 48 UCAS points.
Applicants will normally require 4 GCSEs at grade A* to C (grade 4 or above).
Applicants are also required to have at least grade 4 or above in GCSE Maths and English, or an equivalent qualification.
All applicants must attend an interview with the curriculum team. Where applicants live substantially away from the College, this may be conducted via live video call.
Non-Standard Entry Requirements for Full Time Mature Students
Mature students (aged 21 or over at the start of the academic year of admission), or applicants with non-standard qualifications and or relevant industry experience, may be considered for entry where their background is deemed suitable for the programme.
Admission is discretionary and will normally involve an interview.
In appropriate cases, applicants may be asked to undertake an assessment activity (for example, a short task or portfolio review) to support the College in determining suitability for the programme.
Applicants will normally be judged against the following criteria:
Evidence of self-organisation
Evidence of independent working
Motivation to learn
Interest in the subject area (Games Design and Development)
Evidence of working effectively with others
Where possible, applicants should have 4 GCSEs at grade A* to C (grade 4 or above), including Maths and English, or have demonstrated ability in Maths and English through further study (for example Functional Skills).
Additional Costs
You may be required to contribute to the cost of trips and visits. We also recommend that students purchase key texts to support learning. Reading lists are provided in module handbooks.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.