Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computer Game Design and Development)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
6.1 ICT Practitioners
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ004750
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40014794

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Computer Game Design and Development degree programmes. The mandatory group ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Computer Game Design and Development including Computer Games Design and Game Engines. Learners will also complete a research unit based on a subject of interest linked to the diploma. Learners can select from a range of optional units linked to Computer Game Design and Development, with some variety of choice to include units which may be of specific interest if the learner has an interest in:

• 2D Animation Fundamentals
• 3D Animation Fundamentals
• 3D Environments
• 3D Sculpting
• Advanced 3D Modelling
• Artificial Intelligence
• Concept Art for Computer Games
• Create 3D Game Model Characters
• Create 3D Game Model Vehicles
• Create a Virtual or Augmented Reality Experience
• Digital Graphics for Computer Games
• Game Design Storyboarding
• Graphic Design
• Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality
• Mathematics for Computing
• Procedural Programming
• Sound for Animation
• Stop Motion Animation
• Understanding Game Engines for Animation
• Understanding the Computer Games Industry
• Use Game Engines for Animation
• VFX
• Website Design and Development

In addition to the graded units, learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills both for work within the sector or for further academic study.

Why choose this qualification?

This Access to HE Diploma has been fully reviewed and revalidated for the 2024-25 academic year. Updated resources are also available to Gateway Qualifications recognised centres.

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is an academic qualification that is designed to prepare learners for study at degree level. The diploma is designed to give the learner the relevant academic subject knowledge and underpinning study skills required to progress onto a relevant degree programme.

As an Access Validating Agency (AVA), all of our Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas are compliant with Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulations.

Units

Graded Academic Subject Content Units

Learners must complete 45 credits from the Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content, Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content and Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content groups.

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 12 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Computer Games Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034756
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Game Engines

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034774
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Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group.

Research Project for Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035040
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Research: Practical Investigation Project for Digital Technology

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035895
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Research: Practical Investigation Project for Gaming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035897
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Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 27 credits from this group.

2D Animation Fundamentals

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034876
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3D Animation Fundamentals

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034878
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3D Environments

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034882
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3D Sculpting

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034884
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Advanced 3D Modelling

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034890
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Artificial Intelligence in Computer Gaming and Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034902
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Concept Art for Computer Games

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034916
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Create 3D Game Model Characters

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034924
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Create 3D Game Model Vehicles

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034926
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Create a Virtual or Augmented Reality Experience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034928
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Digital Graphics for Computer Games

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034944
Click here to view full unit details

Game Design Storyboarding

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034970
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Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035004
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Level Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035899
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Mathematics for Computing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034810
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Mobile Games Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034814
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Narrative Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035901
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Procedural Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035034
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Rapid Game Development Prototyping

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035903
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Sound for Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035090
Click here to view full unit details

Stop Motion Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035096
Click here to view full unit details

Understanding Game Engines for Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035126
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Understanding the Computer Games Industry

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035132
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Use Game Engines for Animation

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035134
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VFX

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035142
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Website Design and Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034690
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World Building

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035148
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Ungraded Units

Learners must achieve 15 credits from the Mandatory Units: Ungraded and Optional Units: Ungraded groups.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 3 credits from this group.

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034710
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Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 12 credits from this group.

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034692
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Application of Number - Interpreting and Presenting Information

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034694
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Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034696
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Computer Data Protection

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034700
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Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034702
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Inclusivity and Disability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034704
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Introduction to 3D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035162
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Mathematics - Calculations

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034706
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Optimising Examination Performance

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034708
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Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034712
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Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034714
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Principles of Object Oriented Programming

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035174
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Problem Solving in the Workplace

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034716
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Professional Interpersonal Behaviours

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034718
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Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034720
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References and Reliability of Sources

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034722
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Relational Database

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034724
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Spreadsheets

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034726
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Study Skills for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034730
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Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034732
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The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034734
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Writing Reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034736
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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 Higher Education
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to Higher Education.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The diploma will address the learning needs of these target groups with underpinning skills to support academic study and provide a level 3 qualification linked to their proposed Higher Education study. A broad range of knowledge will be acquired which support an understanding of Computer Game Design and Development including, computer games design and the role of game engines, the impact of artificial intelligence within the industry, the ability to use concept art for computer games, being able to create 3D model characters and vehicles or learning how to create a virtual or augmented reality experience. Learners may choose to develop skills in the use of digital graphics, graphic design or storyboarding. They may wish to acquire specific maths skills for computing or want to learn about procedural programming. They may even want to explore the industry or design and develop a website. The units selected should ensure that the learner is fully prepared for progression onto the relevant degrees.

What this diploma covers

Learners will complete a planned, balanced and coherent programme of study, through which they have been able to acquire subject knowledge and develop academic skills which are relevant to the intended progression route(s). The units include a balance of units which allow the learners to study a broad range of topics 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.

Delivery methods

Delivery methods for the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computer Game Design and Development) can include:
• Face to face sessions
• Blended learning
Work placements would also be beneficial and visits to software or games design companies would widen opportunities.
Assessment Methods should include: reports, presentation, design documents, the production of games, projects, portfolio of evidence, A VR or AR experience, reflective account, controlled assessment, research, open and closed book exams, presentation, group discussion, case studies, literature review and SWOT analysis.

Progression routes

Following successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computer Games Design and Development) learners may progress to the following:
FdA Computer Games Design and Production
FdA Creative Digital Practice (Games Development)
FdA Games and Interactive Design
FdA Game Art and Design
FdSc Games Technologies
BA (Hons) Animation Production
BA (Hons) Animation
BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration
BA (Hons) Animation and VFX
BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art
BA (Hons) Computer Animation
BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design and Development
BA (Hons) Computer Games Design: Story Development
BA (Hons) Computer Games Art
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Enterprise
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology

Provider approval criteria

Learners will require access to computer labs, JavaScript (server) and 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

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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