Foundation Degree in Games Design & Development

Overview

The Foundation Degree in Games Design & Development is a two-year, full-time higher education course created for students who want to build creative and technical skills for the games and interactive media industries, or progress to honours-level study.

You will gain a broad understanding of modern game production, covering core areas such as game art, animation, game design and programming, while also developing academic and professional practice skills. Teaching is practical and studio-based, supported by workshops, seminars and guided independent study.

Throughout the course you will engage with industry through guest speakers, specialist sessions and internal competitions. In your second year, learning becomes more focused, allowing you to specialise in a chosen pathway and develop a portfolio aligned to your intended career within the games sector.

Course highlights

• Industry-focused curriculum – practical skills aligned to real studio roles
• Clear specialist pathways – Art, Animation, Design or Programming
• Smaller class sizes – more access to tutor feedback and guidance
• Industry engagement – guest speakers, workshops and portfolio reviews
• Collaborative studio projects – teamwork and production experience
• Supportive learning environment – inclusive higher-education community designed to build confidence and resilience

What will I do?

You will learn how games are planned, designed and produced through hands-on studio learning, building both practical skills and an understanding of how the games industry works.

Year 1 Level 4: Build core foundations

In your first year you will explore the key skils used across the games industry. This gives you experience in art, animation, design and prototyping, while developing academic and professional skills. You will gain insight into how different roles operate together in a real studio environment.

Level 4 modules may include:

• Academic and Professional Practice
• Foundations of Professional Practice
• Introduction to 3D Modelling
• Introduction to 3D Animation
• Introduction to Games Prototyping
• Visual Design Fundamentals
• Creative Project

During this year you will:

• Use industry-standard software and workflows
• Develop creative and technical problem-solving skills
• Produce small game prototypes and practical projects
• Start building a professional portfolio
• Strengthen research, writing and communication skills

The year concludes with a Creative Project, bringing together the knowledge and skills you have developed.

Year 2 Level 5: Choose a specialist pathway

In your second year you will focus on a chosen pathway such as Game Art, Animation, Game Design or Programming. Learning becomes more advanced and aligned to professional studio roles and production pipelines.

Level 5 modules may include:

• Advanced Contextual Studies
• Design for Player Experience
• Industry Practice & Workflows
• Experimental Practice in Games
• Junior Collaborative Project
• Independent Research Project

During this year you will:

• Develop pathway-specific technical skills
• Learn professional production workflows
• Take part in collaborative studio-style projects
• Experiment with emerging tools and techniques
• Complete independent research linked to your interests

By the end of the course, you will have a strong portfolio, specialist skills and the confidence to progress into entry-level industry roles or Level 6 honours study.

Is it for me?

This course suits motivated learners who are interested in how games are created and are ready to take responsibility for their development.

You should be comfortable working independently as well as contributing to group projects, as collaboration is a key part of the games industry. Depending on your interests, you may prefer creative disciplines such as art and animation, or more technical areas such as programming and systems design. The course supports both approaches.

This course is ideal if you:

• Enjoy practical, hands-on learning
• Can balance independent work with teamwork
• Are open to experimentation and feedback
• Want to build both technical and professional skills
• Are committed to developing a strong portfolio

You do not need to be an expert before starting. The course is structured to support growth from core foundations through to specialist practice.

What’s next?

After completing the Foundation Degree in Games Design & Development, you can progress into further study or move into entry-level roles within the games and creative industries.

Many students choose to continue onto BSc (Hons) Games Design & Development (Top Up), building on their specialist pathway and graduating with a full honours degree.

The course also prepares you for junior roles such as:

• Junior Game Artist
• Junior Animator
• Junior Designer
• Junior Programmer
• QA Tester
• Production or Studio Support

Students interested in self-employment can use their portfolio and professional skills to begin freelance work, independent game projects or small studio ventures.

Entry Requirements

You will need:

• A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, including English and Maths
• At least 64 UCAS tariff points from A Levels, an Extended Diploma, T Level or an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject

You may be invited to attend an interview, and offers can be subject to a satisfactory reference and/or initial assessment.

Applications from mature students or those with non-standard qualifications are welcomed and will be considered on an individual basis.