Task
4
Progression – Higher Education
Use the UCAS
site to familiarize yourself with the process of choosing and applying for
higher education courses. You can also find out about the financial aspects of
studying at university. Do not register at this stage. You may also want to
look at the Skillset
accredited courses for games in addition to company websites. But remember that
you have a wide range of options and do not have to stay within the field of
games design.
Create a shortlist of five
courses that you would consider attending and include a short profile on each,
type of course, duration, entry requirements, overview etc.
Games Design
Modular structure
Year 1- 6 modules are studied at level 4: • Design Fundamentals • Visual Arts for Games Design • Creative Media Analysis • Digital Graphics & 2D Animation • Programming for Games Design • Sound, Music and Entertainment Technologies for Games Design Year 2- 6 modules are studied at level 5 • Games Design Planning • Production Management for Games Design • Work Based Placement • Games Design Prototyping • Digital Narrative Technologies • Engine Programming for Games Design or Digital Character Art and Environments
Equipment needed
You should provide your own drawing equipment, you may wish to purchase your own PC/MAC.
Skills and experience gained
The programme offers the opportunity to develop the intellectual, creative and technical skills required to be a successful contemporary practitioner in games design and development.
After the course
On completion, students may pursue a career in Games Design or complete a BA top up/apply for level 6 entry onto a cognate degree in Games Design such as the level 6 Computing and Games Design programme offered by the University of Salford.
- For the year 1 of this course you will be assessed by interview.
Duration
2 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Attendance
Study on site
Qualification
FdA
Course code
I620
Games Design and Development
Modular structure
This course is designed to develop your skills and knowledge in game oriented applications for mobile devices, the web and the increasingly important mobile and social gaming industry. You will learn how to design and develop software for this rapidly expanding and evolving field. Typical areas of study include game design and development, multimedia development, web and mobile development, mobile application development and human computer interaction. Through these modules you will learn how to develop games for the web and mobile markets. In your final year you will have the opportunity to complete a major project in a computer game related subject.
After the course
The rapidly changing digital, media and creative industries offer career opportunities in an extremely wide range of industry sectors including new media, web design, computing and system management, IT consultancy and in roles managing technology to support a range of public and private sector organisations. In addition, the skills learnt on these degrees are highly valued by a range of employers and opportunities exist in areas such as accountancy, management, communications, technical sales and teaching. Manchester is a major hub for the digital media industry. The close proximity of MediaCity and local initiatives such as the 100bps Oxford Road "Corridor" broadband project are attracting key players in the digital media sector, along with smaller web design and new media agencies, to the city.
- GCSE/Standard Grade
- General information on subjects/grades required for entry:GCSE English grade C or equivalent eg functional skills. GCSE grade C Mathematics.
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Attendance
Study on site
Qualification
BSc (Hons)
Course code
I900
Games Design
Why study this course
You will love this course if you want to design the games you play - from the start you will be designing and developing games from design and animation to digital modelling. You will work on live projects from the games industry, working to real deadlines, getting the chance to express your own creative ideas and skills through your project work; all this using the latest games software in up-to-date facilities taught by professionals from the industry.
Modular structure
Year 1 •Introduction to Games Design •Creative Thinking •Historical Contextual Studies •Drawing for Games Year 2 •Games Organisation •3D Modelling •Contemporary Contextual Studies •Character Design Year 3 •Honours Project •Games Proposal •Contextual Studies •Design Futures
Skills and experience gained
The course provides a substantial and thought-provoking experience, which equips graduates with the necessary skills to be a successful games designer. Upon completion of the course each graduate will have a portfolio of work which is highly suited for the myriad of roles a games designer may be required to undertake. Each graduate's folio will display their unique creativity and the personal interests and skills, be it in visualisation, digital modelling and animation, and/or games design documentation.
After the course
Graduates of the course have recently gained successful employment in the following internationally recognised game development companies: Warner Brothers, Ninja Theory, Rare, Blitz, Naughty Dog, Riot Games, Playdemic and several more. Students are encouraged to create their own games design companies, the most recent of which has been the successful founding of White Paper Games, whose game ‘Ether’ has been green-lighted on Steam, the entertainment platform.
- GCSE/Standard Grade
- General information on subjects/grades required for entry:English and Maths at Grade C or above.
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Attendance
Study on
site
Qualification
BA (Hons)
Course code
WG24
Games Design
Why study this course
Gaming increasingly plays a part in our everyday lives. Here, emphasis is placed on the holistic design of games, with a focus on understanding game play, the architecture of games, the technology used in their creation, digital art working and 3D modelling software, including SketchUp, Blender, 3DSMax, games development using current game engine technology UDK and Unity (plus Flash for some 2D casual game production) and the creation of viable games products, proposals and related interactive digital artifacts, from casual games through to fully-realized, persistent virtual worlds.
Modular structure
Modules reflect a combination of tutor-led skill and knowledge-based development, with a focus on progressive industry/client oriented skills and awareness in every year of study, as well as artifact/ product creation and self-initiated exploration and reflection; all exploring the notion of play in interactive digital media on all platforms within a conceptual framework called “gaming”. You will graduate with games design-oriented knowledge and skills as games designers/developers/ directors/producers.
After the course
Our graduates have found excellent employment with a number of leading organisations and agencies across the UK including Lionhead Studios and (Sony’s) Evolution Studios. Opportunities to progress to MA level exist within HSAD and other institutions.
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Attendance
Study on
site
Qualification
BA (Hons)
Course code
I620
Games Art Design
Why study this course
From the outset, through lectures, workshops and industry based assignments, you will develop the skills required to work successfully in the industry. You will further any existing understanding in a range of principles relevant to the games design pipeline. You will be taught the latest techniques and workflows using cutting-edge industry standard software to ensure that your portfolio sets you apart from others! The course is primarily art focused with a heavy emphasis on the development of traditional art skills i.e. mark making, sculpting etc. These traditional skills will form the foundation for your digital work. You will develop expertise in the use of software such as Z Brush and 3D Studio Max for high and low poly modelling and Photoshop for digital painting and texturing. You will develop skills in 2D &3D character and environment production as well as advanced rigging and skinning for character animation. All students will be encouraged to demonstrate their work in a games context using real time engines such as Unity and UDK. Further areas of study will also involve games story development, games genres and contextual and cultural influences within Art and Design. Projects will conform to common practice in the industry within an environment fashioned to closely simulate a studio environment. Your projects will be supported by masterclasses from visiting industry professionals.
Who’s this course for?
In the first year of the course you will achieve the HNC in Art and Design which provides a foundation in the core game art, design, modelling and animation skills required within the industry. Satisfactory completion of the HNC will allow you to progress to Year 2 to complete the HND course in Art and Design and will allow you to develop specialised skills within a chosen games discipline. The course is full-time and has been developed in collaboration with leading industry professionals to ensure that your experience is realistic and industry relevant. The course is slanted towards the designing and creation of in-game content working both individually and in collaboration with others. It prepares you for a wide range of industry roles including concept artist, designer, 3D artist or animator.
Modular structure
Year 1 - Visual Communication in Art and Design; Ideas Generation and Development in Art and Design; Contextual and Cultural referencing in Art and Design; Professional Practice in Art and Design; Personal Development through drawing;3D Computer Modelling and Animation; Fine Art Digital Applications; Computer Game Design Principles. Year 2 - Project Design; Implementation and Evaluation; Digital Media in Art and Design; Practical skills for Computer Games Design; Fine Art Sculpture; Drawing in Fine Art; Level Design for Computer Games; 2D, 3D and Time Based Digital Applications. Year 2 - specialist options available in 3D Modelling for Computer Games; 3D Environments for Computer Games; 3D Character Animation for computer games.
Skills and experience gained
You will complete 16 modules over the 2 year full time course (8 modules each year). The first year is aimed at developing your technical skills in games art and design. In year two you have the option to choose between three different specialist modules. The second year offers the opportunity to refine your specialist portfolio ready for employment in your desired career path.
After the course
Students who are successful in completing the two year course will leave with a portfolio of work reflecting their own chosen specialist pathway. You should have developed the skills necessary to progress into employment within the gaming sector. Potential career paths include; Concept Artist, 3D Artist (Environments, Prop, Characters), Texture Artist, 2D/3D Animator, Facial Animator/ Rigger, Technical Artist, Visual Effects Artist, Architectural Visualisation and many more! There are opportunities to join other creative industries such as Film, TV, Graphic Design or Automotive industries. Alternatively students could progress onto the 3rd year of the BA(Hons) in Game Art or Games Design to further their studies.
Duration
2 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Attendance
Study on
site
Qualification
HND
Course code
I689
