Games & Concept Art

Course Overview

In the UK, the gaming industry is worth over GBP5 billion to the economy, with more than 2000 firms, of all sizes, designing and developing games. In the past two years, more than 10000 new video games were released, and every single one of them had at least one designer - this job involves creating the looks, the rules and background story, and the critical structures to the game. As newer technologies are developed, more designers are needed to use these tools in bringing creativity to life on screen.

By completing this course, you will achieve a University of Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology (Digital Gaming).

This is 2 year course and is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*) or 144 UCAS points (Triple Distinction). UCAS have recently changed the UCAS Tariff from September 2017 so they could include more qualifications. The new Tariff points are lower than the original Tariff points but the value remains the same, as universities will just use lower Tariff numbers in their entry requirements than in previous years.

Is this course right for me?
Do you have a passion for creating characters, images, and environments? Do you enjoy gaming for the grand designs in AAA titles, the rich story-telling in epic RPGs, or the hand-crafted simplicity of small mobile projects?

The course starts by considering theory linked to a range of media from different sectors to explore how meaning, messages and values are constructed through formal and stylistic elements. Initial units will look to develop your planning skills, as well as to allow you to gain more insight into requirements such as finance, logistics and regulations for a media project.

You will look to create a pre-production portfolio which will be fully researched and presents ideas on how you would look to plan the delivery of a digital game, including the initial scripts and storyboards. There will be opportunities to work to client briefs to demonstrate technical and creative skills in the production of a complete project.

On this course, you will take part in lively discussions about new gaming technology, media campaigns and review the latest developments within the sector as they are released. The department organises trips and talks, for example, this year we visited EGX to look at the new games which have been showcased as well as the indie and retro developments. We have also visited Teesside University to learn more about progressive web apps and develop rapid prototyping skills within storyboarding.

This course usually takes place over three days per week for two years. You will be studying for a Level 3 UAL in Creative Digital Media Production. The two-year course is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*).

All of our learners will be given support with their English and Maths skills where relevant to their main course. Those students who have not yet achieved a Grade 4 (or C) at GCSE in these subjects will continue to work towards these important qualifications at a level suited to them. However, students will still have to achieve the stated Entry Requirements before they start the course.

Assessment on the course is in a variety of forms, including externally set supervised assessments and on-screen examination, as well as portfolio-based assignment work.