Creative Media Practice (Games and Animation) – Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
End date: 5th June 2026

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

At nearly £150 billion, last year the global Digital Games market was worth five times more than the entire international movie business. In the UK alone, the Animation industry is worth more than £900 million. In both Ireland and the UK, the Games and Animation industries are constantly expanding, and this is your opportunity to become part of them. This course is the equivalent of three A Levels and is designed for students with creative skills who also enjoy working with software. Embark on your immersive journey at the college`s new Coleraine campus, where you will use state-of-the-art equipment to acquire the skills that you need to progress to university or go directly into industry.

Year 1: In your first year, you will dive into the fundamental skills essential for both Animation and Games development. You will learn the principles of Animation which underpin both the Games and Animation industries. You will learn how to create 2D assets, then move onto 3D modelling and 3D animation development, whilst honing your storytelling abilities. You will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software such as Unity Game Engine, Unreal Engine and Autodesk Maya, Blender & 3ds Max, as well as the massive Adobe Creative Suite. You will learn how to code in C#, enabling you to implement gaming mechanics and bring characters and environments to life.

Year 2: In your second year, you will advance your skills in animation and media practice through specialized modules focusing on 3D animation, motion graphics, and 2D/3D character design. You will collaborate with industry professionals and with fellow students to develop a robust portfolio showcasing your creativity and technical prowess. Your Final Project will be your choice of either creating a game prototype or producing an animation, all in your very own artistic style.

Course Content

• Principles of Animation
• Character design
• Environment & Asset design
• Storytelling techniques
• Using a Game engine for Games & Animation production
• Utilization of 2D and 3D software for Animation and Game development
• Coding in C# and JavaScript
• Freehand drawing
• Set and level design
• Asset creation skills
• Pitching creative concepts
• Research and Teamworking
• Project and Production management

Course Aims

To empower students to cultivate their technical skills, increase their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, enabling them to enter the Animation and Games employment market directly, or to pursue specialised university courses in these fields.

Special Features

Benefit from lectures delivered by professional animators and media practitioners actively engaged in the industry. Access specialist software and forge valuable industry connections, enhancing your learning experience and future career prospects.

Assessment Methods

There are no exams. Instead, you will complete two projects in Year 1 and two in Year 2, including your Final Project.

Applicants should have at least 4 GCSE's at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.

Students will be able to explore the thriving employment market when they achieve this qualification, and/or progress to university in Northern Ireland or beyond.