Program Overview

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Course Overview

The Digital Media and Games Design industries are rapidly expanding and increasing in use and popularity. This course will provide students with a broad understanding and knowledge of games and digital media design. A range of technical and methodological skills necessary to analyze, design, and implement the development of these media will be delivered on the course.

Why Choose This Course?

• The Digital Media and Games Design industries are rapidly expanding and increasing in use and popularity.
• This course provides a broad understanding and knowledge of games and digital media design.
• Students will gain a range of technical and methodological skills necessary to analyze, design, and implement the development of these media.

Course Structure

• Full-time: 12 modules over 2 years (3 modules in each semester)
• Part-time: 12 modules over 3 years (2 modules in each semester)

Year 1 Modules

• Interaction in Games
• Games Structures
• Game Modelling
• Graphic Design
• Working to a Client Brief
• Digital Animation and Video Production

Year 2 Modules

• Group Project
• Pitch and Development
• Emerging Technologies
• Game Production
• Character Modelling
• Advanced Modelling for Games

Course Modules

Digital Animation and Video Production

• Module: 4DM043
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

This module will allow learners to develop a game cut-scene or 3D animated sequence via creating original content and editing it into an effective post- production sequence using industry-standard software.

Game Modelling

• Module: 4DM040
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

This module will enable learners to design and make 3D environment assets and other static objects using industry-standard tools.

Game Structures

• Module: 4DM041
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

This module will introduce learners to game design balancing strategies.

Graphic Design

• Module: 4DM042
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

This module will introduce learners to creating 2D graphics for digital media products.

Interaction in Games

• Module: 4DM039
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

This module aims to introduce learners to elementary techniques and concepts in computer game interactivity.

Working to a Client Brief (WBL)

• Module: 4DM029
• Credits: 20
• Period: 1
• Type: Core

A work-based learning module that will allow learners to undertake live projects from an initial client proposal through to a finished pitch/presentation.

Advanced Modelling for Games

• Module: 5DM048
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

The module will give students the opportunity to impress and create a complex 3D model.

Character Modelling

• Module: 5DM047
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

This module will allow students to construct a 3D character that will be playable within an industry-standard game engine.

Emerging Technologies

• Module: 5DM049
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

This module will allow learners to examine how emerging technologies can be used in a practical way in an industry outside of games.

Game Production

• Module: 5DM046
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

This module will allow learners to draw upon knowledge learned from previous modules.

Group Project

• Module: 5DM035
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

This module will enable learners to work on a group project which will involve producing a design document.

Pitch and Development (WBL)

• Module: 5DM037
• Credits: 20
• Period: 2
• Type: Core

This module will allow learners to establish a concept for a media product based on specialist information.

Potential Career Paths

• Level designer
• 3D modeller
• Texture artist
• 3D visualiser
• 2D/3D game designers
• Character designer
• Character rigging
• Cutscene animation
• App developer
• UI designer
• Game testers

Entry Requirements

• GCSE English and Mathematics at grade C / 4 or above
• DD from 'A' levels
• BTEC Extended Diploma in a related subject PPP
• BTEC Diploma in a related subject MP
• If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

Funding

• Self-funding: If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments.
• Employer, embassy, or organisation funding: If your employer, embassy, or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees, the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.
• Financial Hardship: Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course-related costs.
• Bursaries and Scholarships: The University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages.

What Our Students Say

• “The Foundation degree was right for me because it allowed me to continue in a comfortable and friendly environment. We had various guests talk to us from places like the National Stroke Association, Shire Consulting, the police for the reconstruction of crime scenes, and Rockstar games. We also had the opportunity to work with most of these people. This helped give me insight to the options available to me and what was expected in an actual work place.”
• “I feel the Foundation degree was the best choice I could have made, as it allowed me to continue on in an environment where I felt familiar with almost everyone and could feel comfortable doing the required work. The opportunities presented throughout the course were perfect for learning industry skills, such as our client-based project with Shire Consulting, which helped me both gain skills in multiple areas, and assisted in the decision on where to go later in life.”