You will complete project-based assessments which are industry-focused. The teaching will reflect the project approach and will include aspects of teamworking.
September 2025 30 weeks
Successful completion of the HNC or another relevant level 4 qualification.
BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) in Games Development.
The Higher National Diploma in Game Development will develop you as a professional, self-reflecting individual able to meet the demands of employers in the games sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualification aims to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them.
This programme will prepare you to move on to specific areas of game development at Level 6 or to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision-making. You will develop and apply your own ideas to your studies, deal with uncertainty and complexity, explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use both theory and practice in a wide range of games situations. By the end of the course, you will have a sound understanding of the principles in game development and will know how to apply them more widely in the business world. You will be able to perform effectively in your specialist area.
The Higher National Diploma comprises of two modules:
Personal Professional Development – This module will develop and enable you to apply contextual knowledge to inform your personal progression in game design. You will also develop and apply professional approaches to creative problem solving to support personal progression.
Professional Project – This module will give you the opportunity to apply contextual knowledge in game design to inform a response to a professional brief. You will also apply creative problem-solving skills to the development of ideas, proposals and final project outcomes.
A wide range of teaching and learning strategies are utilised across the programme and these are indicated within the relevant modules. This includes the delivery of lectures, practical workshop sessions, technical guidance, case studies, discussion groups and student- led seminars.
During the induction process you will be introduced to study skills, referencing, research skills and the appropriate use of academic language.
The College VLE, other relevant ICT resources and the internet will be encouraged for use as both study and investigative tools.
You will develop transferable skills through the outlined teaching and learning methods and are encouraged to develop reflective practice through feedback, both summative and formative, student logbooks and their progress file.
Teaching and Learning methods
You will complete project-based assessments which are industry-focused. The teaching will reflect the project approach and will include aspects of teamworking.
All equipment will be provided, but we recommend purchasing an SD card (32gb or higher) and/or a removable portable storage drive for larger file transfers.
SciTech Digital Innovation Centre
Falcon Street
Barnsley
S70 2EY
A top up degree or direct-entry to the final year of a degree in a related subject field, or employment in the industry.
Course fees: £5,995 per year for those that enrol in September 2024. £6,165* per year for those that enrol in September 2025 (*maximum fee per year is subject to approval).
We offer a service to any student who has a diagnosis of anything persistent or long-term which might interfere with how they study and manage their day-to-day academic engagement. The service is flexible and shaped around the needs of each individual; it might be consistent support or intermittent support.
For further information please visit the Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) web page for more information.
As a Higher Education student living in England you may be eligible for the non-means tested Tuition Fee Loan from the Government and a Maintenance Loan.
Students with children or dependant adults may qualify for a Childcare Grant or Adult Dependants’ Grant. Students can apply for these at the same time as applying for a Maintenance Loan.
Remember: Eligible students will not have to pay tuition fees in advance and can apply for the Maintenance Loan before they start the course.
Visit the Student Finance page on the Government website for further details and to apply.
For further information please contact our friendly Information Team on +44 (0)1226 216 123 or email info@barnsley.ac.uk
Our Additional Learning Support team can provide you with the support you need. Call 01226 216 769 for further information.
Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.