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Games & Animation Intermediate

This Games Animation & Visual Effects course offers project-based learning in digital art, game design, and animation, preparing students with creative and technical skills for careers in the rapidly growing gaming industry, with progression opportunities to higher-level courses.

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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)

What will I do?

This Games Animation & Visual Effects course is a great way to decide where you fit into the games and animation industry. While on the course, you will look at the fundamentals of games and animation, from basic art skills, 2D, colour shade and composition, introduction to 3D, characters, environments, assets, and developing ideas. Game design, Gameplay and understanding target audiences. Using sound and artwork to create different worlds. We do all this while centred around project-based learning. There are no exams during the course, but there are ongoing assessments and feedback.

If you have a passion for creation and want new and exciting ways to apply your skills, this course will enable you to realise your ability to succeed in many exciting industries. Some industry-standard applications we use include the Adobe Suite, which includes tools such as Photoshop and Premier Pro. Zbrush, 3D Studio Max, Blender.

The skills you develop will be brought to life in an industry setting, as we will help you find relevant work experience.

You can take this course alongside retaking your GCSE English and Maths or studying functional skills.

What’s next?

Once you have successfully completed the Level 2 in Games and Animation, you will have the opportunity to progress on a Level 3 course which will help you define your career aspirations further, e.g. UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Games Animation & Visual Effects.

Is it for me?

Do you enjoy creating and drawing characters, creatures, or new worlds? Have you created a model in a graphics design class? Have you written a story? Filmed an adventure you’ve had with friends? Have you had a new idea for a game? If you do any of these things and you consider yourself 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 3/D or above, including English and Maths.

Once we have received your application, you will be invited to a programme interview, which will give you the chance to ask any questions you have about the course and for us to discuss which level you are most suited to based on your current / predicted results. If you meet the entry requirements, you will be enrolled on our Level 2 programme, where you will gain a specialist qualification in your chosen area. If you don’t quite meet the entry requirements for Level 2, you will be enrolled on our Skills Academy programme. Skills Academy gives you the opportunity to pick up essential study skills whilst still gaining technical knowledge in your chosen area. On completion of this course, you will gain a Vocational Studies Certificate, which will enable you to progress onto a full Level 2 specialist programme.

Frequently asked questions

How will it be delivered?

Unit 1. Introduction to creative media methods and skills
Unit 2. Introduction to production techniques in creative media
Unit 3. Understanding an audience in creative media production
Unit 4. Contextual research for creative media production
Unit 5. Exploring audio production and technology
Unit 6. Exploring visual production and technology
Unit 7. Exploring interactive media production and technology
Unit 8. Personal project and presentation in creative media production – Level 2

How will my progress be monitored?

Your progress will be monitored regularly through 121s with your course team leader and a Progress Mentor assigned to you. In addition, at the end of every brief, you will receive written feedback that outlines what you have done well and areas for you to focus on going forward.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is ongoing through workshops, skills building, and project work tied to assignment briefs, with assessments throughout the year. There is a Final Major Project in the Summer term, in which you will achieve your overall grade for the course.

Work experience

35 hours work experience over the study programme.

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How to apply

Games – Intermediate
(A883P-1/1)
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Start Date
15 Sep 2025
Days
Mon to Fri
Location
Chaffron Way Campus

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