Entry Requirements

Due to the course being an A-Level equivalent we have to ensure the learners we recruit are capable of succeeding at this level of study. To support us in establishing suitability we have the following minimum requirements, depending on entry route:

• Four GCSEs at Grade 4 / Grade C including English and Maths.

Or:

• A level 2 qualification at a Merit, preferably UAL Level 2 in Creative Media Production & Technology, and evidence of engaging with making progress from Grade 3 to Grade 4 in English and Maths.

All applicants will need to attend an interview with the course team to review a portfolio of work and establish suitability for the study programme.

Course Structure

The course content evolves every year in response to staff specialisms, job profiles for targeted job roles, and student feedback, though the structure of our courses can be broken down to typically include the below topics and skills.

Our philosophy for student learning can be simplified down to moulding each learner in to an employee capable of:

• Analysis : Breaking down client briefs and deconstructing problems to identify cause and solution.
• Research : Gathering and synthesising information for the purpose of growing ideas, generating new or challenging existing knowledge, and assessing the effectiveness of their own solutions.
• Expert Practical Skills : Learners will repeatedly go through production pipelines, with expectations growing with their increasing experience and confidence.
• Reflection : A key focus of the course is reflecting on learning and planning a route forward for future growth.

Themes we cover on the study programme include, but are not limited to:

• 2D Sprite Creation
• 3D Modelling for Games
• Animation for Games
• PBR Material Definition
• Game Design
• Audio Production
• Games Prototyping (Unreal Engine / GameMaker)
• Concept Art
• Lighting & Rendering
• Virtual Reality Production
• Photogrammetry
• Maths & English in Games

Assessment & Feedback

Our learners are assessed exclusively by coursework in the form of projects with unique scenarios that encourage learners to grow their confidence and independence when managing and contributing towards a creative project.

We aim to provide informal developmental feedback every session related to learning activities, this is punctuated by a review week every term where we discuss the learner’s progression plans, perception of their progress, and individual learning plan. Outcomes from project assessment is shared digitally to the learner’s student email with feedback per skill targeted, with the option to re-submit each assessment once when they feel ready to re-attempt the assessment.

The qualification is made up of 8 units in the first year, and 5 units in the second year. The final unit for each year determines the learner’s grade for the year, affording students 7 and 4 units respectively to experiment, learn, and respond to feedback before a grade is attached to their efforts. The final unit for each year is graded Pass, Merit, Distinction. 

Units prior to the final unit are graded pass or fail, with adapted language to support learners in chasing personalised target grades.

Course Cost

School Leavers, full_time:

FREE to UK under 19s not in employment

For non-school leavers over 19, please contact us to discuss a funding assessment and alternate course options.

What Next...

Upon completion of the qualification, students typically progress on to Higher Education (both Bachelors of Arts and Science) or careers within the vocation.

Learners progressing to university will have their grade outcome converted into a universal point system called UCAS points, to support with standardising applicants. The UAL qualification is worth the following points:

Due to the highly transferrable range of skills taught across the two years, the destinations learners can progress on to is diverse and spans not just the media industry!

We primarily train learners to pursue careers as Game Artist’s and Game Designer’s, though learners can easily transition in to:

• Games Programmer
• Animator
• Visual Effects Artist
• Motion Graphic Artist
• Graphic Designer
• User Interface Designer
• App Developer
• Product Designer
• Architectural Visualiser