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Games, Animation and Visual Effects Advanced

Join our Games Animation & Visual Effects course to develop skills in digital art, game design, and visual effects, preparing for a dynamic career or further studies.

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Start Date: 15 Sep 2025

Mode of Study: Full-Time

Location: Chaffron Way Campus

Days: Mon to Fri

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Course overview

What will I do?

What’s next?

Is it for me?

Apply now

Course overview

Alongside Japan and the USA, people in Britain are some of the biggest consumers and creators of video games in the world. In fact, there are around 44.2 million gamers in the UK. The UK industry is worth almost £5.89 billion and sales for games were greater than the video and music markets in 2016.

Digital art, games design, animation and visual effects are just a few examples of career pathways available in this sector. Technology has never been more sophisticated, and with constant innovation and advancement, there is a real need for talented individuals with the right skills and talents to keep the industry moving forward with new ideas and creativity.

The Digital Games revenue in the UK reached a record 3.5 billion US Dollars in Digital Sales in 2020 alone. The current number of players of games in the UK is 44.32 million in 2021 and predicted to rise above 50 Million by 2024. (Statista 2022)

UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Games Animation & Visual Effects

What will I do?

This Games Animation & Visual Effects course is a great way to decide where you fit into the games, animation, and visual effects industry. Whilst on the course you will look at the fundamentals of games, animation, and postproduction VFX such as lighting, sound, compositing and green screen effects. Starting from Basic art skills, 2d, colour shade and composition, introduction to 3D, characters, environments, assets and developing ideas. Game design, Game play and understanding target audiences. Using sound and artwork to create different worlds. We do all this whilst centred around project-based learning, there are no exams during the entirety of the course, but ongoing assessment and feedback.

If you have a passion for creation and you want new and exciting ways to apply your skills, then this course will enable you to realise your own ability to succeed in many exciting industries. Some of the industry-standard applications we use include the Adobe Suite of tools such as Photoshop and Premier Pro. Zbrush, 3D Studio Max, Blender, Toon Boom Harmony (Animation Suite), Unity Game Engine, and much more.

You may want to use this course as a stepping-stone to university and we can help prepare you for this too. The Games Animation & Visual Effects course covers a lot but university is your opportunity to develop into a specialist so we can support you to take this next step. The skills you will learn on the course can set you up for some other interesting industries, for example, product design, visualisation, interactive development, advertising, web development and let’s not forget the Film and Gaming industries possibly one of the largest growth areas in the past decade, with jobs located worldwide and many of those are also remote working opportunities.

What does the course include?

Y1 Term 1: Introduction to 2d, 3d, Postproduction VFX and Web Development (Portfolio)
Y1 Term 2: Introduction to Sound, Moving Image /Animation and Game Development
Y1 Term 3: Final Major Project – Themed

Y2 Term 1: Careers and next steps, Specialist Studies
Y2 Term 2: Refinement of Specialist Skills, UCAS Support (Next Steps/Career Choices)
Y2 Term 3: Specialism based Final Major Project

What’s next?

After successful completion of this Games Animation & Visual Effects course, you can progress onto a range of Higher Education opportunities, including HNC/HND courses offered at the College. You could also progress to study at university to specialise in areas such as animation or games design. The course qualification is the equivalent of 3 x A Levels
with the UCAS points values as below.

Pass: 72
Merit: 120
Distinction: 168

Alternatively, you may choose to start an apprenticeship or enter employment within the industry over 30 different entry-level positions are available across many departments. Examples of roles can be found here at ScreenSkills

Is it for me?

Enjoy creating and drawing characters, creatures or new worlds? Created a model in a graphics design class? Written a story? Filmed an adventure you’ve had with friends? Had a new idea for a game? If you do any of these things and you consider yourself to be a creative person who is willing to learn and develop technical skills, this course will teach you how to harness these skills and turn them into a successful future career.

Entry requirements

4 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including Maths and English.

EXPLORE COURSES

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How to apply

Games, Animation and Visual Effects Advanced
(4406P-1/2)
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Start Date
15 Sep 2025
Days
Mon to Fri
Location
Chaffron Way Campus

Our College, your future…

Introduction to Creative & Digital
Creativity can take many forms and is highly prized in many different industries and professions, leading to innovation and new ways of problem solving. Creative careers include fashion design, the arts, games programming, writing, curating, graphic design, advertising, media production, and so much more. If you see yourself as a creative type, discover how you could use your talents at work. Let your individuality shine through as you experiment with different techniques, styles, and forms of media. Most importantly, you will grow and develop as an artist, finding your voice, and learning how to craft a career from what you love.
Courses Available

Art & Design – Advanced

Art & Design – Advanced

Photography – Advanced

Foundation Arts Diploma – Advanced
How to get into the industry
There are many university courses in visual arts and design, although a degree is not essential for work in this field. Work experience is essential, however, and a strong portfolio will help you achieve this.
Courses Available

Graphic Design – Advanced

Creative Digital Arts – Intermediate

Fashion & Textiles – Advanced

Games, Animation and Visual Effects Advanced
Why study at Milton Keynes College?

Milton Keynes College offers fantastic facilities, dedicated support, and a wide range of qualifications. Our courses are designed with industry partners, ensuring you gain relevant skills for better employability. Located near some of the country’s largest businesses, the college provides excellent networking and professional opportunities, giving you an advantage when starting your career.
Why choose College?

There’s so much more to college than just your study programme. You’ll have the chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people, gaining more free time and independence in a less formal environment than at school. Milton Keynes College provides financial support and real working environments, giving you practical experience. You can also benefit from work experience opportunities with local and national businesses. By joining the student community, you’ll be part of a supportive network that enhances your personal and professional growth.
Application Journey

The application journey starts with researching your options to find the best course for you. From September, you can apply online. College interviews begin in November, giving you a chance to present yourself and learn more about our college. Discovery Days in July allow you to come on campus and get a real taste of college life. In August, you will receive your GCSE results, which are key for finalising your college placement. Enrolment then happens in August and September with your course beginning in September.

Ready to get started?

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