Level 3
Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Games Design
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The Online Foundation Diploma in Games Design is a three-stage, full-time one year programme designed for serious career-oriented students of any age over 16 years who wish to pursue careers in the games industry. Alternatively, you can study the course part-time for two years at no additional cost.
This exciting course gives students the confidence and technical skills to create immersive game worlds, compelling characters, interactive experiences and professional portfolio projects suitable for progression to university or employment within the gaming and digital entertainment industries.
Our online Games Design course has a strong practical focus, embracing a broad range of creative and technical approaches across areas such as concept art, 3D modelling, environment design, character creation, level design, animation and indie-game development. All this is further underpinned by contextual studies and the development of students’ professional identity as game designers and digital creators.
Want to learn how to 3D model anything? You can choose to learn high-end industry software such as 3D Studio Max, used in major game development studios including Ubisoft on franchises like Assassin’s Creed, or Rockstar Games on titles such as Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2. Alternatively, if you prefer a more independent workflow and have ambitions of becoming the next successful indie-game developer, you can learn Blender and become fully self-sufficient, crafting your biggest ideas into reality.
Successful graduates earn a Foundation Diploma qualification that is equal to 3 A-Levels and is nationally accredited by the UK’s largest vocational awarding body, SEG ABC Awards. Equally valuable, graduates achieve a specialist portfolio of games design work that can enable them to access top universities and employment within games design, 3D visualisation, animation, concept art or digital media industries.
The qualification that students will receive is a Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 qualifications are FE (further education) and prepare students for University. LEAs fund students up to this level and the qualification carries UCAS points for entry into HE (higher education).
There is a final graded unit which is actually a Level 4 unit, helping students prepare for higher education by providing experience at a more advanced level. This unit appears on the qualification transcript as a Level 4 unit; however, the overall qualification remains a Level 3 qualification.
Online Studio
Students enrolled in our online Games Design course receive access to their own online studio where they can work through the course. Units and assignments are listed alongside supporting resources, video tutorials for skills development, step-by-step guides and software demonstrations.
Digital Portfolio
Screenshots, renders, gameplay footage and photographs of completed work are uploaded to students’ e-portfolios for assessment and constructive written feedback on how to progress.
Dedicated Support
Additionally, students on our online Games Design course are invited to discuss their progress with experienced and qualified tutors, receiving face-to-face verbal feedback, encouragement and support.
Students may also benefit from relationships with fellow online students as they can view profiles, discuss projects and share feedback on each other’s work.
The online Games Design course comprises three distinct stages; Exploratory stage, Pathway stage and finally Confirmatory stage. Each stage is 12 to 24 weeks in duration depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. These can be extended if required.
The Exploratory stage
This is the first stage of the course and, as the title suggests, gives you the opportunity to understand at a deeper level what games design and digital creativity involve, while experimenting across multiple creative disciplines.
Within each discipline, students will use a range of digital processes and creative workflows while learning the importance of research, visual development and experimentation.
You are offered a range of projects from which you study 3. Titles can vary, but you would typically be looking at projects such as:
The Pathway stage
This is where you choose which pathway or discipline you wish to explore further and at a greater depth. Tutors will review your work from the exploratory phase and help guide your decision based on your strengths and ambitions.
Possible pathways may include:
The Confirmatory stage
This is the final stage of the foundation diploma and the only stage that determines your final grade.
Students will write a statement of intent with tutor support outlining their chosen final major project.
The final major project is practical and continues the chosen specialist area developed in the Pathway Stage. Students may produce a playable prototype, fully realised 3D environment, character design portfolio, indie-game concept, cinematic sequence or other professional-standard games design project inspired by their career goals.
£4,999 GBP
5,800 EUR (approximate exchange rate)
£4,999 GBP
Plus an additional surcharge of £4,999 GBP may apply for students with a low level of English speaking and writng. It is considerably more difficult and time consuming to teach these students.
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