Alumni Apply now Events The College

Creative Media Practice (Games Development)

BTEC Extended Diploma, Level 3
Apply now Contact us
Course Length 2 years (1 year diploma, plus 1 year top-up extended diploma)
Study Type Full time
Course Cost No fee (16-18) Financial support 19+
Start Date 07/09/2026
Harrogate College creative media student drawing on a digital pad

Course overview

Develop the skills you need to enter the exciting games industry with our BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games Development) at Harrogate College.

This two-year, full-time course—equivalent to three A Levels—is designed for students who want to break into this fast-growing sector. You’ll build creative, technical, and problem-solving skills for a range of roles, including:

  • Concept Artist
  • Game Artist (2D/3D)
  • Game Designer
  • Level Designer
  • Programmer
  • Sound Designer
  • QA Tester

You will develop a strong understanding of professional game production pipelines through practical, hands-on projects, using industry-standard tools and workflows. Throughout the course, you will build a high-quality games portfolio while exploring key areas such as:

  • Concept Art and Character Design
  • Pixel Art and 2D Game Assets
  • 3D Modelling and Environment Creation
  • Game Design and Level Building
  • Game Engines (Unreal Engine and Unity)
  • Programming in C++ and C#
  • Sound Design for Games

At the end of your first year, you will have the opportunity to choose a specialist pathway, allowing you to focus your portfolio on your main area of interest.

  • Entry Requirements
    4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English or Maths. Applicants will be invited to attend an interview and complete a short creative task. A portfolio is welcome but not essential.
  • Benefits/Skills

    Harrogate College is an exciting place to develop your creative and technical games skills, with access to specialist digital facilities and support to progress into the games industry or higher education.

    Throughout the course, you will develop essential technical and creative skills valued by universities and employers, including:

    • Experience using Unreal Engine and Unity
    • Strong foundations in game art, modelling and design
    • Programming and problem-solving skills using C++ and C#
    • Understanding of professional development pipelines
    • Teamwork, communication and collaboration skills
    • Project planning, production and presentation skills
    • Building a professional games portfolio for progression

    You will also gain real-world experience through industry links, live briefs and progression support.

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is ideal for creative and motivated students aged 16+ who are passionate about video games and want to turn that interest into a future career. It suits those who enjoy a mix of art, design, and technology—whether you’re interested in creating characters, building game worlds, designing gameplay, or learning programming. You don’t need prior experience, but a willingness to experiment, solve problems, and work on practical projects is essential. It’s particularly well suited to students who prefer hands-on learning and want to build a strong portfolio for progression into university, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles in the games and digital industries.

  • Units/Modules

    The qualification is structured around four main units that mirror industry practice:

    • A1: Skills Development - You will explore the fundamentals of games development, learning key skills across art, design, engines and programming. This unit helps you build a strong foundation in multiple disciplines before choosing a specialism.
    • A2: Creative Project - You will apply your developing skills to a self-directed games project, responding to a brief and taking an idea from concept through to a playable outcome or portfolio-ready development piece.
    • B1: Personal Progression - You will explore a wide range of progression opportunities within the games industry and develop specialist materials such as portfolios, development blogs, CVs and personal career plans.
    • B2: Creative Industry Response - In your final unit, you will respond to an industry-style brief, working collaboratively to plan, develop and present a professional games outcome, such as a vertical slice of an original game project.
  • Careers/Progression

    This qualification provides excellent progression routes into higher education, apprenticeships or employment within the games and digital industries.

    Progression opportunities include:

    • Game Art and Design degrees
    • Computer Games Programming degrees
    • Animation and VFX degrees
    • Apprenticeships in software or digital development
    • Junior roles in game studios and creative tech companies

    Possible careers include:

    • Junior Game Artist
    • Environment Artist
    • QA Tester
    • Gameplay Programmer
    • Level Designer
    • Indie Developer
    • Sound Designer for Games
  • Assessment Types
    The course is 100% internally set and assessed, focused on project-based learning through practical development work, portfolio building, and industry-style briefs. Students will complete at least 40 hours of work experience as part of the programme.
Course code: 89745-01
Apply now

Jobs in this sector

Live data from the DoE's LMI API

  • Health care practice managers

    Average Salary
    £29,120
    37,697
    Job market for 2022
    39,735
    Estimated job market for 2025
    Estimated 2038 future jobs in the next 3 years.

  • Advertising accounts managers and creative directors

    Average Salary
    £36,920
    58,737
    Job market for 2022
    61,294
    Estimated job market for 2025
    Estimated 2557 future jobs in the next 3 years.

  • Research and development (r&d) managers

    Average Salary
    £46,800
    98,433
    Job market for 2022
    102,357
    Estimated job market for 2025
    Estimated 3924 future jobs in the next 3 years.

  • Managers and directors in the creative industries

    Average Salary
    £31,200
    54,555
    Job market for 2022
    57,504
    Estimated job market for 2025
    Estimated 2949 future jobs in the next 3 years.

Learning Support

  • Specialist SEND support
  • Relax in the Oasis Room
  • Safe spaces
  • Bespoke support

Wellbeing

  • Pastoral tutors to celebrate your successes and give you help when you need it
  • Financial support: we work hard to help eligible students benefit from our education
  • Mental Health Champions offer help and support
  • Careers advice for today and for the future

Our Qualities

  • Small enough that the staff really know you
  • Expert teachers
  • Ofsted graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features
  • Courses designed with employers

Student Life

  • Get involved with clubs and activities throughout the day
  • Opportunities for social action
  • Champion our green agenda by becoming a Sustainability Champion
  • Become part of the Student Union

Courses

  • Timetables which enable work alongside study
  • Work experience opportunities
  • Teachers with industry-experience
  • Study supported by trips

Facilities

  • Teaching spaces that replicate work environments
  • State-of-the-art equipment to enhance learning
  • Industry-standard workshops
  • Social spaces for independent study or catching up with friends

Similar courses

See all courses

Art & Design

Creative Practice Art & Design

Contact us

    I hereby grant Harrogate College to process my personal data for the purpose of marketing and communication, based on the privacy notice and the legal basis for processing. I am aware that I may withdraw my consent at any time by using form GDPR REC 4.6A – Data Subject Consent Withdrawal Form.