Games Production Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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Are you dreaming of working in the exciting world of game development?

If you’re a 3D modeler, programmer, concept artist, animator, or an all-round gaming enthusiast, then our innovative games production course is perfect for you.

The UK games industry is worth an impressive £5 billion and is growing at a rate of 10% per year and with over 20,000 people directly employed, it’s one of the most creative, challenging and dynamic career routes you can pursue.

Our course is validated by the world-renowned University of the Arts London (UAL) and other partners like Sumo Digital and INFINITY27, putting you in control of your own progress and allowing you to choose specialisms that suit you.

This will push your potential and give you the confidence you need to succeed in the industry.

At our innovative games production course, we recognise the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry. That’s why we integrate virtual production seamlessly into our curriculum, ensuring you’re equipped with the latest skills and techniques demanded by the industry.

Through hands-on experience and theoretical instruction, you’ll delve into the important aspects of virtual production. This includes understanding virtual environments, real-time rendering, motion capture, virtual cameras, and integrating live action with digital elements. You’ll learn how to manipulate digital assets in real-time, enhancing your ability to create immersive gaming experiences.

We offer you the opportunity to:

  • work on live briefs for real companies
  • create real games
  • compete in Game Jams
  • win prizes
  • create an impressive portfolio
  • interact with real game studios
  • meet new friends
  • take the first steps on the path that could lead you to your dream job.

Our investment of over £80,000 in the last few years means that we have industry-level kit, software and with PROTO across the road, you’ll be learning with the best possible resources and facilities.

Join our innovative games production course and level up your skills to become the gaming guru you’ve always wanted to be.

Assessment

Through the University Arts London (UAL) qualification you will build skills, abilities and confidence in the creative process.

You will learn how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential. Assessments are designed to help you be the best you can.

Practical work, concept development, design and how you creatively problem solve will all be developed and you are only graded at the end of each year.

In your first year you will start to learn about the fundamentals of Games Production, building your skills in design, game engines, coding, concept art, AR/VR, sound and 3D modelling.

Where you exel will be highlighted in your Final Major Project.

This will also allow you to reflect on your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.

Top-up onto the extended diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project.

This will be your chance to show how far you have progressed on the course. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress on to the next step in your exciting career.

Our dedicated Games Department has seen over £80,000 in investment over the last few years to ensure our students are working with industry level kit. Liquid cooled gaming rigs and Wacom Cintqs in our cutting edge Graphic Suite.

You’ll use industry standard software such as:

  • 3DS Max
  • Unreal Engine 5
  • Unity 3D
  • Substance Painter & Designer
  • Adobe Creative Suite.

Not to mention our partner PROTO on our doorstep, who allow us access to their 3D image labs and motion capture studios. It is safe to say you will be spoilt for choice.

The Games team will support you throughout the years to take your next steps, be that with us on one of our higher level Games Development courses or alternatively a degree at university including:

  • Gateshead College HND in games design and development offers the college’s quality education, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, industry connections.
  • Teesside University – The university offers courses in games design and programming and has a strong industry-focused approach. The university has a high graduate employability rate in the gaming industry.
  • Northumbria University – Northumbria University offers a range of courses in game design and development, including BA (Hons) Game Design and BA (Hons) Games Development. The university also has strong links with the gaming industry.
  • Newcastle University – Newcastle University offers a range of courses in Computer Science, which includes gaming-related modules. It also has a strong reputation in the field of research in games and virtual reality.
  • University of Sunderland – The university offers a variety of courses in game design and development, including BA (Hons) Game Art, BA (Hons) Game Design and BA (Hons) Game Development.

Four GCSEs at 4 or above including English or a UAL or equivalent L2 Diploma in a related area at Merit or above. A Digital or Art related subject and maths are also preferred but not essential.

A Digital or Art related subject and maths are also preferred but not essential.

Our highly experienced team have worked in this industry and they will help you to level up in 3D, digital and traditional graphics, game engines, code, VR, animation, story and narrative,and audio production, allowing you to get an intimate understanding of the creative design process that powers the industry.

We are keenly aware that college is different to school and our team works hard to create a studio-like environment to prepare you for your budding career in the games and other creative sectors.

We believe that hard work wins, challenges are a good thing, diverse teams make great products and that people do their best when given the opportunities to take creative risks and do what they are passionate about.

We have great links just on our doorstep and we are always looking to bring in new industry partners for you to work with.

We work hard to make these fantastic partnerships with employers to give you valuable experience of the world of work.

You will undertake commissioned work for a range of companies both inside and outside of the games industry.

Career development is central to our courses and we continually work to gain you relevant, real world experience.

Currently we work with leading technology companies such as PROTO, Sumo Digital, Tombola, Atom Hawk and Infinity 27 to name a few.

We also take part, and are reigning champions, in a number of externally set Game Jams, they’re our favourite thing!

In addition we promote a ‘beyond entertainment” approach where your newly developed skills may be transferred into other fields such as games for education and the gamification of everything.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026