Skip navigation

Games Design Foundation Degree

  • FdA
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Bootle Campus
Awarded by:
University of Lancashire
More about Hugh Baird College

Course options

2025-2026
Apply

Course summary

The Foundation Degree in Games Design is aimed at anyone who is passionate about a career in the gaming industry. Throughout the course, you will be designing and developing games, learning drawing for design, creative thinking and digital modelling.

The course will cover the conceptual, visual and digital development of games and will be given an industry perspective that will equip you to seek employment in the sector.

You will be actively encouraged to 'play', to question the nature of games/computer games and express the ideas you formulate through your personal project work. The course provides a strong visual and creative base, supported by digital modelling, set within a professional framework for the development of games concepts.

As your skills develop, you will work on individual and collaborative projects, which may include live briefs from the games industry. These projects will allow you to explore every aspect of games design and develop your own personal practice. Lectures, demonstrations, portfolio building and independent study will help to develop the necessary skills to become a successful games designer, whilst guest speakers will enhance your insight and industry knowledge. You will develop key employability skills such as communication, time management, team work, working to deadlines and meeting demand. Key industry led standards will underpin best practice and draw out portfolio skills to showcase your work.

Teaching and learning methods are varied but we place an emphasis on practical-based learning using purpose-built seminar and computer rooms. All courses will have lectures to guide you through the relevant topics, but there is a real focus on applying the material to relevant and real world examples in tutorials, practical sessions, seminars and directed work. The emphasis is on developing your ability to work and learn independently. Our computer rooms allow you to use specialist software but, where possible, we will make software available for your own PC. Students will also use an online learning environment which supports flexible learning by providing additional and resource-rich online materials.

Modules

You will study a range of core modules, which may include:

Year 1:
•Introduction to Games Design
•Creative Thinking
•Drawing for Design

Year 2:
•Visual Skills
•Game Development
•3D Modelling
•Character Design

Assessment method

The course is assessed using a variety of methods, including individual coursework assignments, group work and presentations.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Bootle Campus

Study options

  • FdA • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • September 2025

Apply by
29 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:
I620
Institution code:
H65
Campus name:
Bootle Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Hugh Baird College 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
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
I620
Institution code:
H65
Campus name:
Bootle Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
64 points

All successful candidates must have achieved the following:
• Achieve a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points at A2 or equivalent
• Grade 4 or above GCSE Maths and English or an equivalent; UK equivalents include key skills level 3 or functional skills level 2

Other acceptable qualifications include:
• Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
• International Baccalaureate
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
• Access to HE Diploma

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Portfolio
Once your application has been processed you will be required to submit an e-portfolio.
Other
Additional Selection Criteria: Meeting the minimum entry requirement for a course does not necessarily guarantee a place. Entry to all courses is subject to a successful interview. When assessing an application, we take into account your grades, predicted grades, reference and personal statement. From your personal statement and interview, we consider your motivation and commitment to success, and any relevant experience you may have. For some courses, we may also ask for a portfolio of appropriate work or an audition, or you may be required to find a work placement prior to enrolment. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: To gain access to some courses you may need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you have criminal convictions or cautions, please do not be put off from applying for the course. Your acceptance on to the course will depend on the nature of any convictions and will be at the discretion of the University Centre and your placement provider. If you would like to discuss this issue in confidence, please contact Student Services Advisors in The Pod on 0151 353 4444, or call in to speak to them in person. Mature Students: We recognise that some mature students may not meet the standard entry requirements but may have gained knowledge and skills from relevant work or life experience and, therefore, we would consider your application on an individual basis. We would take into account your work and life experience and may ask you to discuss this in more details at interview. Interview: All applicants are invited to attend an interview with either the Course Leader or Course Tutor. You will be notified of your interview by our Admissions Team who will also update UCAS Track with details of your application.

English language requirements

EU students, for whom English is not the first language, will be required to evidence an IELTS score or 6.0 or equivalent. Equivalences include: • TOEFL written examination score of 550 plus a test of written English (at 4) • TOEFL Computer Equivalent score of 230 • Proficiency in English (Cambridge) at Grade C or above

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

Fees may be subject to change

Related courses

At Hugh Baird College

Like this page