Task 4 - Progression – Higher Education

Task 4

Progression – Higher Education

Use the UCAS site to familiarise yourself with the process of choosing and applying for higher education courses. You can also find out about the financial aspects of studying at university. Do not register at this stage. You may also want to look at the Skillset accredited courses for games in addition to company websites. But remember that you have a wide range of options and do not have to stay within the field of games design.

Create a shortlist of five courses that you would consider attending and include a short profile on each, type of course, duration, entry requirements, overview etc.
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Computer Game Development

University of East London (UEL)

Our game courses have a particular emphasis on developing gameplay and designing games. The Computer Game Development degree is focused on providing the abilities necessary to successfully create gameplay systems using a variety of industry standard tools across many platforms. Several parts of the programme provide opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams using processes and working practices from the games industry. Students go on to work companies such as: Bethesda, Electronic Arts, Gamesys, Lionhead Microsoft, Ninja Theory, Playdead Rock Star, Rocksteady, Sega, Sony Entertainment, TT Games and Warchest.

The games courses focus on designing games and developing gameplay. Students develop a range of skills including, level design, 2D/3D graphic asset production, gameplay programming, paper and electronic prototyping, visual design and plot and character development. Computer Games Development allows students to further develop software design and programming skills. Computer Games Design (Story Development) allows students to develop creative writing skills with a focus on how these relate to game design.

Computer Games At UEL: Conceptualise, Plan, Design and Develop Games. The Computer Game Development programme offers students the opportunity to study the games development process and theories underpinning the design and development of computer games with a focus on acquiring games programming skills and knowledge. As part of the programme you will be required to produce games design documentation, as well as plan and mange implementation of games prototypes, both individually and as part of a multidisciplinary development team. The programme gives you a foundation in the entire games development process and allows you to acquire skills in 2D/3D graphics production, player/user/market analysis and targeted design, games-specific object-oriented programming, and makes use of industry standard programming and games development environments to allow for both rapid prototyping and games development.

Entry requirements:

• BTEC National Diploma (18 Units) (not including early years)

• BTEC National Certificate (12 Units) (not including early years)

• BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) (Suite known as nationals)

• BTEC level 3 Diploma (QCF) (Suite known as nationals)

England*: £9000 over 3 years

Deadline 15th January 2015

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Games Design and Development

University Centre Grimsby

On the BA (Hons) Games Design and Development degree at the University Centre Grimsby you will learn how to make finished and publishable games. These finished games will form part of a portfolio that you will present to employers at the end of your degree. the programme has been created with direct input from the games industry. In fact, we asked top gaming recruitment executives "when you are hiring new people, what kind of game design and development skills are you looking for?" The answers have fed directly in to the structure of the degree. The significant proportion of the work is practical, with some academic, creative and reflexive writing.

Upon successful compltion of this degree, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and creative skills to pursue a new career, or advance an existing one, in the field of games design. Games designers are employed within studios; can be employed as games testers and designers; illustrators; map builders; animators and much more. Producing games can sometimes involve large projects and as the design and production process often involves working with a lot of other people such as storyboard artists; graphic designers and script builders.

Year 1 - The first year of the course is designed to develop the core skills that will feed directly into all modules. Developing production methodologies, core 3D design and development skills, narrative design and development, creating game characters across different technologies, identifying and working with platform technologies and fundamental game programming. Year 2 - The second year is where you put the core skills from year one into working practice. Using and developing the current skills on developing games, while also using the newer technologies and programming methods across engines. Pushing the 2D and 3D possibilities of characters using mocap technology within games production, creating complex environments including soundscapes and soundtracks and exploring narrative concepts further. Year 3 - A chance for the students to fully explore the possibilities and use the skills they have learned from the two previous years.

Entry requirements:

• GCSE/Standard Grade
• General information on subjects/grades required for entry:GCSE English; Maths Grade C or above
• 
  

England £5995 over 3 years

Deadline 15th January 2015

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Computer and Video Games

The University of Salford

3 good reasons to study Computer and Video Games at Salford: •Study computer and video game design, production and management taught by staff with industry experience •Based at MediaCityUK •A practice-based course giving the opportunity to build computer and video games on a variety of platforms The dynamic world of computer and video game production is at the cutting edge of creative media. This course provides you with academic, theoretical and practical training in the design and production of computer and video games to prepare you for a career in this and related creative media industries. The course is one of the most established 'game degrees' in the UK, taking its first students over a decade ago, and it continues to supply creative media industries with talented, highly skilled graduates.

Year 1; Semester 1; Design Practice Frameworks, Visual Arts, and Entertainment Technologies or Creative Media Analysis, Semester 2; Design Theory Frameworks, Digital Graphics, and Programming for Artists and Designers or Creative Sound and Music. Year 2; Semester 1; Games Design Planning, Agile Production Management, and Creative Sound and Music Production or Digital Character Art or Tools Programming for Games, Semester 2; Games Design Prototyping, Digital Narrative Technologies, and Digital Asset Management or Digital Environment Art or Engine Programming for Games. Year 3; Semester 1; Creative Artefact Production Planning, and Business and Legal Practice or Creative Portfolio Development, Semester 2; Practice-Based Dissertation .

Successful applicants should have strong academic records, a firm and clear motivation to succeed and a passion for creative and interactive media. The course offers a student-centered and creative learning environment, and we seek applicants who are interested in our project and practice-based curriculum. You should be able to articulate your interests in creative and interactive media, and present them to a wider audience. You should also be interested in developing an appreciation of both the technical and creative elements of computer and video game design and production, as both a specialist and as a core member of a small production team. A portfolio of relevant work either in 2D/3D art, traditional or game-related design or C++/C# programming will greatly benefit your application to the course.

Entry requirements:

• BTEC National Diploma (18 Units) (not including early years)
• Required grades:Grade Merit and grade Merit and grade Distinction.

• BTEC/Scottish Higher National Diploma (HND)
• General information on subjects/grades required for entry:May be considered for 2nd year entry

• BTEC/Scottish Higher National Certificate (HNC)
• General information on subjects/grades required for entry:May be considered for 2nd year entry

• BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) (Suite known as nationals)
• Required grades:Grade Merit and grade Merit and grade Merit.

England £9000 over 3 years

Deadline 15th January 2015

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Animation & Visual Effects

Amersham & Wycombe College

You must be 18 years old or over and have a full Level 3 qualification (BTEC Extended /National Diploma or A-Level), with a portfolio of relevant work. Evidence of having worked successfully in 3D modelling in Maya or 3D Studio Max is not absolutely essential, because although this would make the first year skills-building easier for you, we have highly successful graduates who came to us with a traditional fine art/CAD background only. Drawing skills are essential for all students.

Although the College has a large Mac suite for animation, you may prefer to use your own laptop. If you are purchasing a computer, tutors will be happy to give advice. If you are using the College machines, you should have an external hard drive for saving work.

Drawing as a basis for 3D animation Design: character, background and concept Animation: production process, compositing and shooting on film Sound recording: voice, music and effects Film language and the history of animation Studio practice and structure.

Entry requirements:    Must be 18 years old or over and have a full Level 3 qualification (BTEC Extended /National Diploma or A-Level)

England £5500 over 2 years

Deadline: 24th March 2015

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Animation

University of the Arts London

Study a subject where you can create, explore and play. With new technologies changing how we make, understand and experience animation, there's never been a better time to begin. BA (Hons) Animation gives you the chance to test boundaries and look at animation in many forms and in many ways. This course is taught at London College of Communication, at Elephant and Castle.

No entry requirements 

England £9000 over 3 years

Deadline: 15 January 2015