Level 3 Study Programme: Games Design

To join this programme you will need 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 (or equivalent) including maths and/or English.

• First Year:

  • Introduction to Games Design
    Students explore the key roles in Game Design while learning how real industry workflows and pipelines operate. They’ll research, plan, and create basic documentation to understand how ideas move from concept to production.
    
    
  • Introduction to Visual Scripting
    This project introduces students to Unreal Engine as they build a small playable game from scratch. They will create simple gameplay systems, UI elements, and interactions before packaging the project for sharing.
    
    
  • Gameplay Design
    Students will learn the process of designing a level and creating several puzzles using Blueprints to build a fully playable gameplay experience. Students will learn how to prototype using reusable gameplay elements and a process called greyboxing.
    
    
  • Interactive Experience
    This project allows students to put their growing skills into practice through their first independent or collaborative production. Responding to a live brief, they develop a themed interactive experience from concept to creation.

  
  Second Year:
  

  • Progression
    This unit helps you plan your future in games by exploring university routes, job roles, and the skills needed to pursue them. You’ll also develop an online portfolio and learn how to present yourself effectively in applications and interviews.
    
    
  • Adventure Project
    In this project, you’ll create a vertical slice for a specific audience based on a client brief. Working as a team in simulated-studio environment, you’ll develop advanced gameplay and level design skills while producing a standout piece for your portfolio.
    
    
  • Specialist Study
    This project is a practical portfolio piece that allows students to explore a specific area of Game Design in greater depth. They focus on a discipline aligned with their career ambitions, demonstrating their understanding through independent creative work.

Get ready to bring your game ideas to life! Over two years, you’ll dive deep into the exciting world of game design, mastering the skills used by industry pros to create the next generation of games.

In the first year of this study programme, you’ll cover a range of topics including how to:
• Delve into the diverse roles and specialisms that shape the field of Game Design and examine the production pipelines and professional workflows that underpin each discipline.
• Investigate and critically evaluate games, emerging trends, and wider media to inspire and inform the development of your own original ideas.
• Produce professional-standard Game Design Documents to effectively plan, articulate, and showcase your ideas in line with industry practice.
• Learn to build games in Unreal Engine 5 by harnessing the full potential of its powerful Blueprint visual scripting system.

The second year of the study programme will cover topics including how to:

• Work in teams, taking on a specialist role to design and develop a fully immersive and engaging adventure game experience that connects with an audience.
• Produce a standout portfolio to showcase your best work, whether you're heading to university, straight into the industry or launching your own indie project.
• Continuously build your portfolio through a series of mini-projects designed to refine your abilities and elevate your skills to industry standard.

There is potential for the qualification to prepare learners for appropriate direct entry to University or employment in a vocationally relevant profession/industry sector.

Successful completion will provide access to a wide range of university courses or employment.

Career Opportunities include:
• Game Designer
• Gameplay Designer
• Technical Designer
• Level Designer
• System Designer
• Narrative Designer
• UX Designer
• Associate Producer

The UAL Awarding Body Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication (Games Design pathway) is assessed through project based units that develop creative, technical and professional skills. Students produce portfolios, complete assignments and demonstrate their ability to apply the creative process within a games design context.

In Year 1 (Diploma), students complete Unit 1: The Creative Process and Unit 2: Developing Creative Practice. These units are assessed through portfolio evidence and graded Pass or Fail. Students then complete Unit 3: Responding to a Set Brief, an assessment that brings together learning from the year. The grade achieved in Unit 3 determines the Diploma grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction.

In Year 2 (Extended Diploma), students complete Unit 4: Researching a Specialist Industry Practice and Unit 5: Specialist Technical Skills Development. Both units are assessed and graded Pass or Fail. The qualification concludes with Unit 6: Specialist Creative Outcome, a self initiated Final Major Project allowing students to demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills. The grade achieved in Unit 6 determines the Extended Diploma grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction. All assessments are internally assessed, externally moderated by UAL Awarding Body.