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Games Development

BTEC Diploma , Level 3
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Available at the following campuses:

A shot of the Quarry Hill Campus building and park on a summer day

Quarry Hill Campus

What Our Students Say

“I think it’s the fact of being able to progress your creativity and be able to work on very new ideas – so whether if you’re going to do like a music video, a documentary, a short film, those sort of like projects where you just get something new, something you haven’t even done before, um it helps to expand your mind into something completely different and work into something that’s not the same thing as you’ve done before.”

Scott, Creative Media

“You get so much experience, like you’re not just doing one side of journalism you’re doing all different things – so one day you’ll be doing some magazines and then the next you’ll be filming in the TV studio so it’s just great to get to experience all kinds of journalism so then you get to decide which part you want to go into.”

Alannah, Creative Media

“The equipment is equipment that I’ve never actually used before coming to college and you know I had to learn about it, but when I did actually learn about it and get to grips with it a bit it really helped me be able to create new sounds on my instruments and stuff like that, and be able to kind of work with them a bit instead of just using old 2001 amps from my old school, so it was pretty nice to be able to use actually new modern equipment.”

Tom, Music Performance

“What stood out about this course was the fact that they did loads of different types of acting – it wasn’t just natural or screen or theatre, they did every type and they also looked at script writing which is something that I’m interested in, so it covered all basis that I was interested in. What I’ve enjoyed the most is definitely the performances and being able to put together so many different pieces from so many different stimuli’s – you get to work on so many different things and so many different topics and cover literally everything in such a short amount of time.”

Rachel, Acting

“I have a huge passion for acting as it is, and before I came to college I was primarily looking at screen acting which is a lot more naturalistic, and you don’t really get to experiment much with different like types of movement and things – but coming here has allowed me to experiment with movement and sound and loads of different types of theatre, which is amazing – and when you get to show people that, you just feel so amazing, because you’ve come up with this piece that you feel so proud of and it’s just great to see on everyone’s faces that they’re really happy with your piece.””
“

Rachel, Acting

Did you know!

  • Take advantage of our exciting industry links with Games Republic, GaMaYo, IBM, Sleepy Brain Studios, EGX Rezzed, Yorkshire Games Festival.
  • We provide full-time arts education to over 1,000 students every year, from level 1 through to BA Honours degrees. If you are successful in gaining a place on one of our specialist courses, we will work with you to develop your creative skills and prepare you for the next big step – either to university, drama school, art college or the world of work.
  • On average programmers and software developers in Leeds earn £39,228.80 per year (Emsi).

Course Information

Introduction

Become a programmer, artist, writer or animator with this programme. You will strengthen your knowledge of games engines such as Unreal. You will explore the animation and modelling process, becoming comfortable with 2D and 3D modelling. You will also focus your creative flair to design levels, worlds, characters, and concept artwork.

Contact: jamie.mooney@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Please note the Fees(Adult) may be free depending on student circumstances, please enquire for more information.

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Overview

Become a programmer, artist, writer or animator with this programme. You will develop your knowledge of programming games engines such as Unreal and Unity. You will explore the production process, becoming comfortable with industry standard software. You will also focus your creative flair to design and develop levels, worlds, characters and concept artwork. At the end of the first year, you will choose a specialist discipline to focus on. In the second year of the course, you will collaborate with others to plan, produce and present a vertical slice of your own game.

Video Transcript

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LCC GAMES DEVELOPMENT WCAG 2.1 AA TRANSCRIPT

 

SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS , LEEDS CITY COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT

 

INTERVIEWEE – JAMIE MOONEY – Course Leader of Level 3 Games Development (SPEAKING)

INTERVIEWEE – MIN – Student of Level 3 Games Development (SPEAKING)

INTERVIEWEE – JOSEPH – Student of Level 3 Games Development (SPEAKING)

INTERVIEWEE – JACK – Student of Level 3 Games Development (SPEAKING)

 

Scenery – A student moves their mouse and types on keyboard.

 

Scenery – A student turns head to focus on the monitor.

 

Scenery – Monitor shows a level being built on Unreal Engine 4.

Scenery – Monitor flicks to level building assets, showing different materials and textures.

Scenery – A student is shown playtesting their level.

 

Scenery – Monitors show level assets, moving sprites and 3D models.


Scenery – A student showcases their work to another student.

Jamie Mooney – “Hi, i’m Jamie! I’m the course leader for Level 3 Games Development at Leeds City College”.

 

Scenery – A student is shown working on their level, typing on the keyboard.

 

Jamie Mooney – “So the course that we run, Level 3 Games Development is taught over 2 years and the emphasis of the course really is about skills development, being able to work independently, we focus on progression.”

 

Scenery – Students are shown working on their own in a room.

Jamie Mooney – “Getting the students from our course onto for example University or maybe employment and there’s also a large emphasis on group work and being able to work with others”

Scenery – Two students are shown working together on a project.

Min – “I’m in Games Design because I’ve been doing computer science since High-School so Games Design felt like the right path for me to follow”

 

Scenery – A Monitor shows a student’s 3D modelled sniper. 

 

Min – “Currently in class we’re working towards making our own game that focuses on things like story and adventure aspects as we’re creating weapons and levels to create a stealth and spy game”

Scenery – A monitor shows a 3D modelled table, code, 3D weapons and mock-up levels.

 

Joseph – “If you’re someone that likes art, we have concept art courses here. Whilst if you like audio we have lessons about that.”

 

Scenery – A monitor shows a node system being activated.

 

Joseph – “It branches off into different careers, you can with this course. It’s not exam based so you don’t have to worry about revising. It’s coursework based so you finish something, put it in your portfolio and hand it in”

 

Scenery – A student’s Pumpkin themed sprite work is shown on a monitor.

 

Min –  “Throughout the course we get to be up and about and go to a fair few different places. We’ve already been to the royal armouries taken photos of things and used those for our 3D models”

 

Jack – “For anyone thinking about becoming a developer I wouldn’t let your fears takeover you. If you want to become a developer or programmer don’t let your fear take it away from you, go for it.”

 

Scenery – A student working hard on their level

Jamie Mooney – “That’s what young people really should do because especially with education it’s so much easier to focus on something that is driving you if you’re interested in it, it’s not a chore. It’s fun.

 

End Slide – Leeds City College (School of Creative Arts)

END

Who is this course for?

If you’re in year 11 or 12 and are looking to take the next steps towards your career these courses are for you. Our vast selection of vocational courses span a range of subjects and combine academic study with practical skills. Study in industry standard facilities and use our industry links to prepare for progression.

Benefits and skills

  • Gain knowledge and experience of using games engines such as Unreal and Unity
  • Design and create concept art, levels, worlds, and characters
  • Turn your concept art into 2D graphics and 3D models using industry standard software such as Aesprite
  • Develop programming skills in C++ and C# and learn how to problem solve effectively

 

Entry requirements

Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English OR Maths. Applicants are required to attend an interview and successfully complete a short task before a place on the course is confirmed. Applicants are encouraged to bring a portfolio of work with them to the interview, but this is not a strict requirement.

Available apprenticeships and progression options

Progression may include degree level study, an apprenticeship, or relevant employment. Upon successful completion of Extended Diploma in Computer Games you will achieve Level 3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Creative Media qualification.

Course details

Duration: 1 year Diploma
1 year Top-up Extended Diploma
Start Date: 15/09/2025
Fees (16-18): No fee
Study Type: Full time
Course Code: 76725-01
Fees (Adult): £2,882

Employment Statistics

  • Programmers and software development professionals

    Average Salary
    £50,440

  • Office supervisors

    Average Salary
    £30,160

  • Business and related associate professionals n.e.c.

    Average Salary
    £35,360

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