Computer Games Design

Are you passionate about creating games? Our Computer Games Design Higher National Diploma is tailored to help you turn that passion into a career. Designed for those eager to become 3D artists, animators, or game designers, this course offers an in-depth exploration of the gaming industry, supported by strong industry partnerships.

Throughout the programme, you will use powerful game development tools like Unreal Engine and Unity, widely recognised in the industry. You will learn from professionals with real-world experience, who will help you develop a portfolio that showcases your skills to future employers.

The curriculum covers a broad range of topics essential for game development. You will study game design theory, level and environment design, and programming. Our state-of-the-art facilities include the latest Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe CC) software, providing all the necessary tools for your studies. With small class sizes, our staff, who have extensive industry experience, can offer personalised guidance and support.

Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience with AR/VR development and animation, learning about the latest technologies in game design. This course will not only teach you technical skills but also help you develop creative, critical, analytical, and interpretive abilities essential for crafting compelling games. The programme encourages both individual growth and teamwork, preparing you to thrive in a collaborative environment.

Upon completion of the course you will be well prepared and ready to progress to the final year of our 3 year degree programme, which will prepare you for a career in the gaming industry.

We believe in empowering you to design and create interactive projects that truly showcase your game development knowledge. Our course is all about encouraging your creative exploration while ensuring you develop the technical skills needed to succeed in the competitive world of computer games design.

Year 1:
In your first year of the Computer Games Design course, you’ll begin to explore the world of game development. You’ll start with learning the basics of character creation, 3D graphics, and animation. In seminars and workshops, you will explore game mechanics and rule systems through fun, hands-on projects, often using paper-based concept mock-ups to get a real feel for how games are made. Our small tutorial groups mean you get plenty of personalised support from your lecturers, helping you to build your skills and confidence right from the start.

Environment Design (20 credits)
Game Design and History (20 credits)
Introduction to Character Animation (20 credits)
Introduction to 3D Modelling (10 Credits)
Visual Studies (20 credits)
Academic and Professional Development (10 Credits)
Games for Positive Impact (20 Credits)

Year 2:
As you move into the second year, you’ll build on what you’ve learned, tackling more advanced topics like character and environment modelling, texturing, and interface design. This is when your projects start to get more complex and innovative. You’ll also look at the bigger picture with contextual studies, understanding the social and cultural sides of game design.

Advanced Character Animation (20 credits)
Indie Game Development (20 credits)
Game Theory and Design (20 credits)
Evolving your Creative Craft (20 Credits)
Level Design and Development (20 Credits)
Narrative and World-Building (10 Credits)
Sound Design (10 Credits)

Assessment is carried out through coursework, both written and practical. There are no exams on this course. Students are formatively assessed throughout a module, summative assessment takes place at the end of a module.

In order to maintain academic integrity, a range of strategies are adopted. Most practical work includes formal written elements of some sort: everything from the standard essay format through to things like usability reports, product definition documents, responses to/critiques of seminal academic papers, learning journals, business plans, etc. At Level 6 all students will have to complete a Dissertation.

From L4 onwards students are also widely assessed in presentations, culminating at L6 in the Major Project. We have found the viva voce style assessment well-suited to the work we do within the School, which, whilst having a technical underpinning, often has strong similarities to fine art practice.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS