Access to HE Diploma (Computer Game Design and Development)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
6.1 ICT Practitioners
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ002870
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40010491

New suite of Access to HE Diplomas for August 2024

Our brand new suite of Access to HE Diplomas is available for delivery from 1st August 2024.

Access to HE Diploma (Computer Game Design and Development) Overview

Changes to Access to HE confirmed by QAA: Diploma Specification and Grading Scheme

Qualification Summary

The Diploma allows learners to undertake study related to computer game design and development. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of degrees after following A level study, so the Diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover computer games design and an understanding of different games engines, which provide an important introduction to the programme. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering concept art, animation, graphic design, games storyboarding, virtual and augmented reality, program design and testing as well as a unit which explores the industry.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting study and personal skills.

Why choose this qualification?

The diploma allows learners to undertake study related to computer game design and development. Learners will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes within the sector. Many learners join these types of degrees after following A level study, so the diploma will place the Access to HE learners on a level with those who have followed A level studies.

Learners will complete mandatory units which cover computer games design and an understanding of different games engines, which provide an important introduction to the programme. They will be able to research an area of interest to them in more depth. They will study a range of optional units covering concept art, animation, graphic design, games storyboarding, virtual and augmented reality, program design and testing as well as a unit which explores the industry.

Ungraded units include units which will support access to higher education whilst supporting study and personal skills.

Units

Mandatory Units: Graded

Learners must take 12 credits from this group.

Computer Games Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028432
Click here to view full unit details

Game Engines

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028436
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Graded Research Units

Learners must take 6 credits from this group.

Research Project for Computer Gaming- Methodology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028873
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Research: Practical Investigation Project for Gaming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028871
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Optional Units: Graded

Learners must take 27 credits from this group.

Concept Art and Digital Graphics for Computer Games

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028657
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Create 3D Game Models

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU029029
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Game Design Storyboarding

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU027879
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Games Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028477
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Graphic Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027881
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Graphics and Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU011416
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Introduction to Life Drawing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU006757
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Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028475
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Mathematics for Computing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026125
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Mobile Games Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028434
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Procedural Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028483
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Program Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027872
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Software Fundamentals - Object-Oriented Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU027875
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Understanding the Computer Games Industry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU028479
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Website Design and Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028481
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Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must take 9 credits from this group.

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007638
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Relational Database

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU029031
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Writing reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026155
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must take 6 credits from this group.

Academic Reading Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018346
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Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025276
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007486
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Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU007560
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Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU026150
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Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025278
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Introduction to 3D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU008279
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Introduction to the Grammar of English

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU010767
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Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018352
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Principles of Object-Oriented Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU029036
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Problem Solving in the Workplace

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU018630
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Professional Interpersonal Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025796
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU028487
Click here to view full unit details

Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033854
Click here to view full unit details

The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU033880
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Work Placement

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU025609
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Intended learner groups

a) Adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances may have achieved few, if any, prior qualifications and wish to progress to HE
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to HE.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The Diploma will provide them with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed HE study. A broad range of knowledge will be acquired which support an understanding of computer games design and development and programming and will ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g. relational databases.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning including online platforms such as Moodle or Pearl. Work placements would also be beneficial and visits to software or games design companies would widen opportunities. Assessment methods include: Designing and testing games, exam, controlled assessment, projects e.g. creating programmes and games including developmental notes, data dictionaries, presentations, self-evaluation, SWOT analysis, case studies analysis, short answer questions, reports, design diagrams and test plans.

Successful completion criteria

Learners will probably require a pass in maths and English at GCSE level or a Functional Skills qualification in English and Maths to progress onto a degree course.

Progression routes

Learners may be able to progress onto the following:
Creative Digital Practice (Games Development) FdA
Computer Games Design: Story Development BA (Hons)
Computer Games Enterprise BSc (Hons)
Computer Games Design BSc
Computer Games Design and Development BSc (Hons)
Computer Games Art BA (Hons)
Computer Games Programming BSc
Computer Games Technology BSc (Hons)
BSc (H) Software Engineering

Provider approval criteria

Learners will need access to computer labs, JavaScript (server) and appropriate software to facilitate all modules.

Funding information

There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

How to find a learning aim

If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

How to Use: Find a learning Aim

Additional funding information for Access to HE

  • Access to HE is eligible for funding as part of the legal entitlement offer.
  • Access to HE is eligible for funding via Advanced Learner Loans and appears on the Advanced Learner Loans catalogues published by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
  • Access to HE Diplomas are designed for adult learners aged 19+ and the ESFA only funds young people on these programmes by exception, as stated in paragraph 149, page 39 of the Funding guidance for young people 2020 to 2021.

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

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